AT SHANGHAI

Hokitika Guardian, 27 January 1932, Page 6

AT SHANGHAI

JAPANESE INTENTIONS. CHINESE PREPARING DEFENCE. (United Press Association. —By Electric Tel egraph.—Copy right.) (Received this day at 10.15 a.m.) SHANGHAI, January 26. Consul-General Mural, to-day received definite instructions from Tokyo Foreign Office regarding action to bo taken in the present grave situation at Shanghai. Although the details are not published, it is probably predicted that drastic measures, including the occupation of Chinese territory will be undertaken. The failure of the Chinese authorities to reply to the Japananese demands, has exhausted the patience of Tokio and it is. now reported that a forty-eight hour ultimatum has been delivered to Mayor Wu. Brigadier Fleming commanding the British forces at Shanghai has been requested by Shanghai municipal authorities to take tlie necessary defence measures in collaboration with French, American and Italian forces. Chinese authorities continue their military preparations in surrounding areas, trenches being dug across roads, and barricades erected. Railway stations and official builidngs are at present veritable fortresses, as additional troops are concentrated at these points. The local Chinese garrison commander asserted Manchuria was occupied without a fight, but the Japanese will know they have been fighting before they capture my territory. estimated that there are approximately thirty thousand Chinese troops in Shanghai area. Japanese forces are being strengthened with the despatch of the first torpedo flotilla from Sasebd| consisting of one cruiser and twelve destroyers. EXTENSIVE USE OF PLANES. TOKYO, January 26. Tlie army is planning for the more extensive use of aeroplanes for the dispersal of bandits remaining in Manchuria. The field artillery which was attached to the Guards and Twelfth Divisions has been recalled, in consequence of the withdrawal of .Chinese regulars.