JAPANESE HALTED IN SHANGHAI OFFENSIVE

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 189, 27 August 1937, Page 5

JAPANESE HALTED IN SHANGHAI OFFENSIVE

J Coastal Blockade Regarded as a Disturbing Feature (Reeeived 27, 10.30 a.m.) SHANGHAI, Aug. 26. Fighting with extraordinary determination, the Chinese brought the Japanese drive towards Shanghai to a standstill, forcing the attackers fiercely to contest every ineh of the ground. The possibility of an invasion of Ihe International Settlement by either army is now considered more remote. All places of amusement are closed and curfew is enforced between 10 p.m. and dawn, but the arrival of British and other troops is having a cairning effecfc. Most of the firms have re-opened their businesses. . Independent observers express the opinion that the Japanese pressure, especially from the warships, is too strong. The most disturbing feature from the international standpoint i is the Japanese blockade, which the Admiralty describ.es in the 1 japanese stock phrase as a "measure of self-defence." It adds that foreign ships are liable to be boarjed to ascertain their tru'e ( nationality. It is feared that this will seriously injure British and j other traders. y The blockade against Chinese shipping from Shanghai to a point | near Hongkong applies to both Government and private shipping, i but foreign shipping is exempt, according to the earlier message.. 1 As a result of the blockade Chinese shipowners are seeking to ; sell their ships to foreign interests. ' 1 A Genoa message says the llalian cruiser Montecuccoli is pro(jeeding to Shanghai. The Times Tokio correspondent says that the Japanese Navy Office, in explaining the partial blockade of the coast, says that a considerable amount of shipping coming from the south-west has been carrying troops and supplies for the Chinese forees around Shanghai, which the blockade is intended to prevent. There will be no interference with food supplies and commercial cargoes, because Japan is punishing the .Chinese Armyt not the Chinese people. i