AMERICAN FEARS

Grey River Argus, 13 September 1937, Page 5

AMERICAN FEARS

Of Wars Extending [Aus. & N.Z. Cable Assn.] (Rec. September 12, 7.40 p.m.) HYDE PARK (New York), Sept. 11. The gravity with which the United States views the international situation, is indicated by a remark from President Roosevelt at an informal gathering as follows: “The Government is going to do everything possible Io keep the United States out. of war.”

At a press conference earlier, President Roosevelt declared that democratic nations throughout the world are “jittery” over the foreign situation, both in the Far East and in Europe. The Navy Department has warned American merchantmen that it is dangerous to operate in the Japanese blockade zone off the China coast, and advocated painting the national colours on the top decks conspicuously.

The Secretary of State, Mr Hull, declined to discuss the Japanese note in which Japan says she will not assume responsibility for damage in Shanghai, but it. is believed Ihe United States will not. be deterred in pressing demands for indemnification. TOKIO, September 10. It is understood that in a verbal reply to English and American warnings regarding liability for damage their nations may suffer in Shanghai Japan denies liability, on the principle that the Chinese are the aggressors.

CHINESE WAR COUNCIL SET UP. TOKIO, September 11. According to the Dome! News Agency, a Chinese Supreme War Council, with Marshal Chiang KaiShek as Dictator, has been formed at Nanking, as the result, of a joint decision by the Central Political Council and the Central Standing Committee. Japanese Success ON WOOSUNG FRONT. (Received September 12, 7.30 p.m.) SHANGHAI, September 12. The Japanese, using tanks, have captured Yanching, in the Woosung sector, in which they are now entrenching. The Chinese are preparing to counter-attack. Buildings in the International Settlement and the French Concession were badly shaken by a merciless Japanese naval and air bombardment in an attempt to silence the elusive and persistent Chinese batteries at Pootung, which damaged the largest Japanese hospital ship, the American Maru. The Japanese flagship, Idzumo, again bore a charmed life. Each side makes conflicting claims of gains and losses of ground. The Chinese dismiss the Japanese claim Io have linked up their lines at Woosung and Yangtse-poo. Observers consider that the Japanese are surprised at the pertinacity and pluck of the Chinese, and are therefore content to advace slowly and surely. A Chinese spokesman asserts that the Japanese are withdrawing from the Jukong wharf and boarding their warships, proving that the big offensive has been postponed. The Japanese say they have photographic proofs of a “dare and die” battalion of 500 women fighting on China’s side.

TERRIFIC ARTILLERY DUEL. ROCKS SHANGHAI. SHANGHAI, September 11. The Chinese fiercely attacked Japanese blue jackets. Shanghai was rocked by terrific artillery fire. The British United Press correspondent says that the city is “trying to forget war anxieties.” Public entertainments are resuming. Cinemas, dog-tracks, and night clubs are reopening. Generous fare is provided by the restaurants, and the gas supply is restored. JAPS. TAKE MACHANG. TOKIO, September 12. The Japanese claim that they have captured Machang, and that the Chinese are retreating southwards in confusion. A Pekin message says that 1000 Japanese troops have traversed the city in the last three days. Tanks and artillery are mustering at Feng tai. CHINESE OFFICIAL MESSAGE. WELLINGTON, September 11. The Chinese Consul has received the following cablegram from Nanking:— The number of civilian casualties far beyond the fighting front increased considerably as the result, of the Japanese bombing Sunkiang, twentyfive miles from Shanghai, and raining bombs on Sunkiang station The raiders wrecked five passenger coaches full of refugees from Shanghai. The station office, water tower overhead bridge, and a section of the

track were also destroyed. Over three hundred, mostly women and children, were killed outright. Four hundred were injured of whom fifty succumbed. Littered with mutilated bodies and debris, the station presented a ghastly scene. An emergency corps is occupied in the task of attending the wounded and extricating bodies from the debris. Two Japanese aeroplanes were brought down in the vicinity of Swatow yesterday. Another was damaged by Chinese anti-aircraft guns.

JAP. AIR RAID. ON HISTORIC PAGODA. (Rec. 7.45 p.m., September 12.) SHANGHAI, September 12. The Japanese attempted an air raid to blow up the historic Langhua Pagoda, built in the year 250 A.D., but they failed, only shaking down 500 Budhas inside from their niches. The bombs, however, destroyed forty neighbouring houses. CHOLERA AMONG JAPS. SHANGHAI, September 10. Cholera has broken out among the Japanese garrison at Paoswau. Twenty are dead and eighty are dying. The Japanese allege that the Chinese are using germ warfare, which the Chinese spokesman denies. SHANGHAI, September 12. The Japanese announce there are three hupdred Cholera cases among the Japanese troops in Paoshan. JAPAN’S IMPORT CONTROL. TOKIO, September 12. The Ministry of Commerce is contemplating the organising of a monopoly of the Japanese imports of raw cotton and wool. Premier Konoye expresses the opinion that the war will not end in 1937, and they must budget for- 1938 on the basis of the worst eventuality.