PARTS OF CITY ON FIRE

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 178, 14 August 1937, Page 5

PARTS OF CITY ON FIRE

Press Association—

(By Telegrapli—

•Fer

-Copyright).

(Beceived 34, 11.0 a.m.) LONDON, Aug. 33. Acctfrdiag to a message from Shanghai, the Chinese anJiounce that fighting has broken out in the northern district of Shanghai, They allege that the Japanese fired first. The Japanese have commenced a bombardment of parts of " the Chinese eity in Shanghai, and several big fires have ftarted. The fighting seems fiercest aiong the old ShanghaiWoosung railway and sporadic sniping has occurred in other sectors. The Japanese appear to be preparing for aetion on a large scale. A battery of field gnns has been brought up, and tanks are also preparing to advance. The Chinese anthorities have protested to Japan against the invasion of Chinese territory," Two additional Japanese destroyers have joined in bombarding the Chinese positions between Whangpo and Kiangwan, bursting shells of the latter being visible from the International Bettlement. It is feared that the modern Chinese civic centre will be demolished. The Chinese have mustered near the Honan Gate and are sniping the advancing Japanese. The danger of the hostilities spreading to the International Settlement cannot be dismissed. Marshal Chiang Kai-shek's crack 87th Division has taken iip positions on the Kiangwan section. Other Chinese troops are bejng rushed up to Shanghai. The Japanese are hopelessly outnumhered and await reinforcements before attempting 4 to advance. Chinese infantry and artillery at 4.20 this morning launqhed fimnltaneous attacks against the Japanese cotton mills in the north and east of Shanghai and positions near the Japanese headquarters, Japanese machine-guns and trench-mortars retwrned flre. A Japanese communique admits that the Chinese 4 J press strongly." The battle developed in intensity as the first light of dawn appeared. The Chinese attacks were well timed as they were launched immediately it became evident that the weather precluded Japanese aerial activity.