SHANGHAI'S DEFENCE

Chronicle (Levin), 21 May 1949, Page 5

SHANGHAI'S DEFENCE

(N .Z.P.A.—

-Reuicr

— — - - Littie Ground For Hopes Of Nationalists

CoDvria'ht)

Eeceived Fridav, 5.30 p'.m! LONDON, May 20. Tliere is now littie hope that the Xationalist forees defending Shanghai can put up an effeetive resistanee for any length of time, says the Daily Telegraph's Shanghai eorrespondent. There are too many Oommunist.s pifcted against tkem. Boasts hy the Nationai- ' ist military commanders that they' will make a Stalingrad of Shanghai can do no more than give their soldiers added determination. A Stalingrad resistanee presupposes large-scale military and econoniic assistance, and there is no sign of either. Keuter's Shanghai eorrespondent says wShanghai 's waterfront was no man's land today gs the Nationalist troops harred all pedestrians and traffic from the lieart of the city's business area. Xo ofiicial reason has heen given for the move which, however, is lielieved to he prompted by the increasingly threatening developments in the Pootung area where several Communist columns striking towards the bank of the Whangpoo Eiver are unofficially reported to he close to their objeetive. Business is at a complete standstill as utter confusion prevails with thousands unable to reach their offices. Four high explosive shells, presumably from Communist batteries, landed Vist night in the crowded Bue ,1a Favette in tlie old French Concession, killing six Chinese and in.iuring ten. ^ome shells are also reported to have d-opped in the Yangtze eastern distriet

of Shanghai where residents claim they l were ahle to see the opposing armies on the Pootung side eugaged in hand-to-hand fighting. Hong Kong Cahle and Wireless Ltd. announced today that it had re-estab-lislied local eommunications between lTong Kong and tlie Communist occupied North China port of Tientsin The n •luouncement is regarded by commere>al circles as of great importance in developing trade between Hong Kong and the Chinese Communists. A radio link for five hours daily has been opened at the request of the Communist Tientsin Telegraph Corporation and with the permission of the London .authorities ar.d the Hong Kong Government. Several hnndred messages have already heen handled. A Shanghai garrison communique rerorted that the Communists last evening attacked in the Woosung sector where two comnanies tried to seize Government radio transmitter hut wem ' mten off after losiny half their men. Tlie communique added that the Gov'"■nment positions are intact in the T'ootung sector. Tlie Associated Press correspondpnt •- ivs the Bund is closed to civiiiuP. -12— fic, hut what the Nationalists are do ing there is not elear. There are rum ours that important Chinese Ieavirg "Peanut" (the name given to Chiang Kai-Shek by the late General ,Toe Stiiwell) seem to have left several days ago.