NIGHT OF HORROR

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 57, Issue 247, 30 July 1937, Page 5

NIGHT OF HORROR

DESTRUCTION IN TIENTSIN.

BOMBS CAUSE GREAT FIRES.

FIERCE FIGHTING IN VICINITY

(United Press Association—Copyright.) (Received This Day, 1.45 a.m.) i TIENTSIN, July 29.

It is a night of horror in Tientsin, Large areas of the congested Chinese quarter are still ablaze, luridly lighting the sky. The casualties are not yet known, but they must be very heavy. The indirect damage as a result of the intensive Japanese bombing is described as “appalling.” Volunteer fire brigades did their utmost to stem the destruction, but the flames swept through the ramshackle buildings like a bush fire. The situation is now described as quiet, most of the Chinese fatalistically accepting the destruction. Many remained impassive even while the ’planes were raining death from the skies. Meanwhile the trained troops of the Nanking Government are approaching Tientsin and fierce fighting is reported in the vicinity. The President of the Executive Council (Marshal Chiang Kai-shek) issued a statement that China- is determined to fight to the last man. PETROLEUM PLANT ON FIRE. CHINESE ATTACK REPULSED. (Received This Day, 10.35 a.m.) LONDON, July 29. Explosions during the Japanese bombardment shook the whole of Tientsin. The Asiatic petroleum plant is reported to have been set on fire. Stray bullets killed 15 in the French Concession. A Japanese communique asserts that 2000 Chinese attacked the Japanese Concession, but were repulsed, losing 300. The foreign Consuls are attempting to arrange a truce. JAPANESE NAVAL ATTACK. FIGHTING ALSO AT TIENTSIN. ONE TOWN ALMOST DESTROYED. TOKIO, July 28. The Minister for the Navy (Admiral Yonai), in a. communique states that Chinese troops fired on a Japanese destroyer lying off Taku. The destroyer returned the fire, after which the naval forces opened an offensive in co-opera-tion with the Japanese military forces. According to a report from Tientsin, fighting broke out early this morning between the 38th Chinese Division and Japanese troops in the most populous area between Tientsin East and the Tientsin city railway station. The Japanese claim to have heavily defeated the Chinese at Tientsin after eight hours’ fighting in the concession. .Scores of Japanese aeroplanes bombarded and machine-gunned the principal buildings in the Chinese city, destroying the municapal centre and damaging the Chinese suburbs. The Nankai University, the central station, and the militia headquarters are blazing. There are thousands of casualties, and panic-stricken Chinese are pouring into the international concessions. One French and two Italian soldiers were killed while on sentry duty. The firing was so heavy near the Italian Concession that the guards occupied a large section in the neighbouring city between the concession and the International Bridge, which was impassable because of the sniping. The Japanese have occupied Tangcliau and Nan-yuan. The latter town was almost destroyed, with 1000 Chinese casualties. THE CHINESE “SUCCESSES” POSITIVE JAPANESE DENIALS LONDON, July 28. Absence of the confirmation of the Chinese “successes,” combined with positive Japanese denials of them, caused foreign circles to doubt the authenticity of Chinese reports of victories. The Nanking Government cabled to the Chinese Embassy in London that Chinese troops had recovered Lengfang and had driven out the Japanese from Tunchow, where they captured three tanks and hoped shortly to dominate the autonomous area of Hopei, of which Tungchow is the capital. The Chinese declare that they captured seven bombers when they took Chaochiar teng aerodrome, south of Peiping. Signs of an effective Japanese rally are perceptible, however, in the Chinese admission that Japanese reoccupied Fengtai after a counter-attack that lasted seven hours, and that they also doggedly counter-attacked Lengfang. Telegrams from overseas Chinese that are deluging the Government urge resistance to the death and promise unlimited supplies of money. The foreign forces in Peiping consist of 200 Lancashire Fusiliers, 500 American marines, 250 French and 100 Italian troops.

The Japanese Embassy guard has been greatly augmented. There were 20,000 Japanese troops in Peiping and Tientsin areas on ,Sunday.