ON CHINESE CITIES

Grey River Argus, 23 September 1937, Page 5

ON CHINESE CITIES

Capital Several Times Attacked BIG FTRES STARTED IN CANTON. [Aus. & N.Z. Cable Assn.] NANKING, September- 21. Zero hour, noon, passed without the threatened Japanese air-raid occurring. The day is grey and overcast. "We may prefer to keep the capital in suspense, ** was a Japanese spokesman’s quizzical reply to the question when operations would begin. Meanwhile, all anti-aircraft guns have been manned and cellars and other shelters prepared. Many of the native populace have repaired to these, carrying emergency rations. reason for delay. SHANGHAI, September 21. The Japanese explain that bad weather prevented the bombing of Nanking, but the postponement was nossiblv due to Japanese willingness to give civilians time to dig them, selves in or seek less dangerous locations.

RAID BY 80 'PLANES. CHINESE REPORT. WELLINGTON, September 22. The Chinese Consul is in receipt of the following cablegram from Nanking:— . . ... Japanese planes, numbering eighty, attacked Nanking environs this morning. The attack commenced bj, twelve planes approaching the city, and shortly after were reinforced by another dozen. The attack was further intensified by a third body of twenty-five Japanese planes, and later by a further body of more planes. The general objectives seemed to be Government edifices and the auditorium built to house the National People’s Congress was slightly damaged. In general, the damage done to intended objectives was negligible, civilian abodes and lives suffering most. The invaders were beaten back shortly before 1 p.m. The casualties inflicted on the invaders were not ascertained, but it is believed that two Japanese planes, were 'brought down. The Japanese air force suffered the loss of at least seven planes as the result of the two raids on Nanking yesterday. Five Japanese airmen were taken prisoners, while the number killed is not ascertained. Two Chinese planes were damaged, resulting in two being killed and five injured. MORE RAIDS ON NANKING. FIFTY PLANES TAKE PART. (Received September 22, 8.55 p.m.) SHANGHAI, September 22. Fifty Japanese aeroplanes bombed Nanking to-day, shortly after ten a.m. They dropped a large number of bombs on various sections of the city. The raid lasted until noon. During the time of the raid Chinese aeroplanes engaged the enemy. They claim that they brought down three Japanese machines. The extent of the casualties is not known. NANKING FIRES PUT OUT. SHANGHAI. September 22. It is still not clear whether the Nanking bombing by the Japanese aircraft is a portion of the threatened destruction of the capital. There are only meagrest reports. These state that two squadrons of Japanese planes succeeded the piercing of the Chinese defensive cordon and they rained bombs on the southern section of the city, causing fires which were quickly extinguished. There was a second air alarm at 1.20 p.m. to-day. The outcome or this raid has not been described. FOREIGNERS LEAVE. PEKIN, September 21. A state of apprehension at Nanking led to the flight of many Chinese residents. NANKING, September 21. All but 17 Americans, including the Ambassador, Mr. Nelson-Johnson, have gone upstream. Mr. Johnson said: “I am too unhappy to speak. It is the first time in 30 years that I have been forced to leave my post under Washington’s instructions.” The British Acting-Ambassador (Mr R. G. Howe), supplied the Japanese with a map showing British property and residences. The staff of the Italian Embassy have also left, but all others are remaining.

Canton Raided BY OVER THIRTY PLANES. CANTON, September 21. Japanese aeroplanes at 6.30 a.m twice swept over the city, raining bombs for two hours. “Archies” and Chinese aeroplanes tackled the raiders. ; The Shanmeen gate was closed to prevent Chinese stampeding to the European quarter. It is believed that considerable damage and loss of life occurred in the Chinese quarter. SHANGHAI, September 21. The Chinese claim that six Japanese planes were brought down during the raid on Canton. Macao reports state thirteen Japanese ’planes again passed there to seaward, after fruitlessly bombing Chinese aerodromes.

The Portuguese are reinforcing Macao with colonial troops. LONDON, September 22.

The “Daily Telegraph’s” Hong Kong correspondent says: Thirty or forty Japanese aeroplanes again bombed Canton from two a.m. to six a.m. this morning. They extensively damaged the northern area of tne city. They then flew out to sea. They were followed uy Chinese. It is unofficially stated that two Japanese planes and one Chinese plane were shot down. A DECISIVE TEST. APPROACHING IN THE NORTH. JAPANESE CLAIM FURTHER SUCCESS. PEKIN, September 21. A decisive test of strength becomes! more imminent in North China, as the Japanese are preparing a further drive against the Pinghan Tsinpu

railway zones. The Japanese successes, hitherto, have been gained in the face of lightly armed troops. The complexion of affairs may alter when Nanking, which apparently is not so poorly equipped as the invaders hoped, throws in aeroplanes, tanks and heavy guns. The Japanese at Pinghan threaten Paotingfu, which in common with other Chinese centres they have heavily bombed, besides occupying Sushui. TOKIO, September 21..

The Japanese in North China, attacking Tsangchow and Paotingfu, claim to have encircled 50,000 Suiyuan troops, who were taken on two sides by Japanese armies, advancing along the Pekin-Suiyuan railway. Large Japanese forces are operating on either side of the Great Wall in Chahar and Shangsl. LULL AT SHANGHAI. SHANGHAI, September 21. The Japanese offensive on the Shanghai front was confined to naval bombardment and shells from land batteries, in order to straighten me lines, preparatory to a further advance, besides preventing the Chinese bringing up a heavy railway gun. NANKING IN SUSPENSE. FOREIGN OBJECTIONS. SHANGHAI, September 21. "I will not ■be pushed back ' and forth by Japanese commanders. They cannot order me about. I am not leaving,” was the reply of Oskar Trautmann, German Ambassador at Nanking to the Japanese demand to remove German nationals. Germany's attitude in this respect is similar to Britain’s. LONDON, September 21. The British Government is making representations through the Ambassador at Tokio against the bombing of non-military objectives at Nanking It is feared the proposed attack will endanger the lives of civilians, including British. The Government, reserves the right to hold the Japanese responsible for damage to lives and property of the British. The Embassy may be endangered as it adjoins the Ministry of Communications, a possible objective.

British Attitude HINT OF DIPLOMATIC BREAK. RUGBY, September 21. It is announced that the Japanese Government’s reply to the British xsote on the wounding of Sir H. Knatchbull-Hugessen, has been handed to the British Ambassador. MONTREAL, September 21. There is a report from London to the effect that Britain contemplates the withdrawal of her Ambassador from Tokyo if the second Japanese Note in reply to her representations is not satisfactory, and that she has been sounding the United States as to the possibility of America following her action. The report is considered unreliable. It is indicated in America that the situation is at present, unlikely to call for such action on the part >'f either Britain or the United States. U.S.A. MINISTER’S EXIT. WASHINGTON, September 21. Mr. Hull announced that the United States had made vigorous representations to Japan against the proposed bombing of Nanking, stressing the lack of authority under international, or any other law, for such action. MONTREAL, September 21. The U.S.A. Secretary of State, Mr. C. Hull, referred to the fact that the Chinese delegate to the League of Nations had expressed regret at the withdrawal of the American Ambassador from Nanking. Mr. Hull said it was the policy of the United States never to jeopardise the physical saiety of its representative.

American Opinion PROTESTS TO JAPAN FUTILE. (Received September 22, 9.5 p.m.) MONTREAL, September 21. The feeling is growing in America that the protection of any national rights in China by means of an unilateral diplomatic protest to Japan, is necoming increasingly difficult, if not impossible. It is questioned whether anything short of military action or sanctional action would be sufficient to end the Japanese campaign in China. Nevertheless, it is felt that an international protest might save greater prestige on the part of foreign PowIt is incidentally considered to be most unlikely if the United States would participate in any military or any sanctional steps.

Discussion at Geneva ADVISORY COMMITTEE SET UP, TO CONSIDER. CHINESE APPEAL LONDON, September 21. A Geneva message states that the meeting of the League 1933 Advisory Committee on the Sino-Japanese conflict was attended by twenty-three members, including Mr. Harrison, the United States Minister at Berne. M. De Grase (Holland) proposed M Munter (Latvia) as chairman, stating that owing to the geographical situation of his own country’s colonies, he thought it preferable not to continue in the chair.

M. Munter was elected. The Committee decided to hold all meetings in private. At the suggestion of Lord Cranborne, it was decided to ask China and Japan to be represented. Germany and Austria will also be invited.

The Associated Press special Geneva correspondent says the Committee of Twenty-three to which China’s appeal .to the League was referred, decided to invite Australia, China, Japan and Germany to send representatives to its meeting. The decision to invite Australia is due to the Commonwealth’s proximity to the seat of conflict and her vital interests in the Pacific. The invitation will be immediately transmitted to Mr. Bruce, who will forward it to Australia, where the decision to accept or reject it will be made. New Zealand, as a member of the Council, will be automatically represented by Mr.' Jordan on the Committee.

Warning the League against postponing or sidestepping issues, Mr. Bruce (Australia), in the Assembly, urged the Council to endeavour to arrange a conference of Powers concerned in the Far East, whether members or non-members, with a

view to contacting the countries engaged in the dispute, and attempting to arrange a settlement, or such concerted measures as were necessary. He said “the Sino-Japanese hostilities necessitate an immediate and explicit consideration of the League’s function as a political organisation. It is imperative for the League to face the reality of China’s appeal.” He pointed out that Article eleven provided means for transcending the limitations of the League’s present membership, and he urged action in that direction.

M. Litvinoff (Russia), addressing the Assembly, lashed out at what he termed “the masked naked aggression.” He declared that two members,of the League Council had been subjected to invasion, while commercial vessels and warships of other nations were victims of every kind of attack. Japan was pouring hundreds of thousands into China paralysing the trade of one of the greatest commercial centres in the world,] Spain was similarly subjected to invasion by foreign armies. Magnificent cities were bombarded, yet the the League Secretariat’s report did not reflect these events. It appeared the League must be saved, like a gentle maiden, from a suspicion that such things happen. It was impossible to speak of Non-Intervention without irony, when the parties to it sent whole armed divisions to Spain, and their warships bombarded Spanish ports, and sinking neutral commercial vessels. M. Litvinoff said he regretted the absence of the United States from the League, which so badly needed its tremendous influence. He added he was convinced the League could afford Spain and China more assistance. ft would be preferable to spare the lives of tens of thousands of victims than spare the feelings of aggressors. The League’s passivity led to the attacks on Abyssfna, Spain and China. MONTREAL, September 21. Official American comments on Mr S Bruce's suggestion for an international conference on 'me SinoJapanese situation, including the United States, is lacking. It is unofficially intimated that the United- States probably would agree to send a representative to such a conference. GENEVA, September 21. A new vote sent to the League by Dr. Wellington Koo, asking urgent measures to stop “the illegal inhuman” air raids on Nanking says: “If such indiscriminate air attacks on the nation’s capital are tolerated, a most dangerous precedent will be created.” DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS. SHANGHAI, September 21. The Japanese rumour that the Chinese Government is contemplating the withdrawal of the diplomatic and Consular Mission from Japan, is officially denied.