SERIOUS FIGHTING

Hokitika Guardian, 29 January 1932, Page 5

SERIOUS FIGHTING

JAPANESE ATTACKING CHINESE FORCED TO RETIRE. 1200 HOUSES BURNT. tßeceived 1 1 1 is day at 11.15 a.m.) SHANGHAI, January 28. At lour this morning serious lighting was continuing at Chapoi, while a huge (ire was rapidly .spreading throughout tli(! whole district. It is estimated that over twelve hundred Chinese houses and buildings were destroyed. After a fairly stubborn resistance till! Chinese troops eoniemneed to retire before steadv pressure, as Japanese brought reinforcements from naval vessels. The Chinese forces have now retreated to the railway station which the Japanese are preparing to attack at daylight. Three Japanese aeroplanes are now flying over .Shanghai, despite the darkness, preparatory to making an attack. Chinese forces at Siation continuing the figlrb, brought field pieces into action. Thus far the Settlement is unharme<] though stray bullets are dropping in areas in tbe vicinity of the boundaries. SITUATION TENSE. SHANGHAI AN ARMED CITY. ADVANCE BY JAPANESE. * SHANGHAI, January 28. Tbe city to-night is an armed camp, c.is a state of emergency, and a large percentage of civilians have been transferred into uniformed defenders. Tanks, armoured cars, and artillery are now moving rapidly around the city, taking up position,, planned by Hie international defence committee. Thousands of Chinese are pouring into the .settlement from the surrounding areas, while the authorities have- reenforced the curi'ew hour.

Additional Japanese cruisers, and twelve destroyers, reached here to-day, and an additional live hundred marines landed. The first Japanese aeroplane appeared over the city this afternoon. There was heavy fighting .at Chapel, as the Japanese are advancing to capture the railway station, heavy detonations from bombing squadrons shattering the windows of houses along the Chapei boundary. There were seven Japanese casualties within seven minutes of their entry into Chinese territory. Chinese casualties are uncertain but are obviously heavy, arid already, over one hundred (Chinese prisoners have been brought from the lighting zone. .Several fires have started.

Following a short engagement, Japanese naval vessels captured Woosuug and the forts at the entrance to the 'Wlhangpoo river, twelve ’miles Iron.' /Shanghai. Heavy gunfire was heard in the settlement. WILL JAPANESE PERSIST? SHANGHAI, January 28. At 12.49 p.m. the Japanese Commander formally notified BngndieiGenernl Fleming, who is in command of the British section of the Shanghai Force, that he intended to take action for the occupation of the areas outside the foreign settlements of Shanghai from seven a.in. to-morrow. TALK OF BOYCOTT. NEW YORK, January 27. Regarding the Shanghai action of the Japanese, talk of a possible economic boycott is being heard, and it is given point by the fact <fi President Hoover sending Manchurian correspondence to the Senate, ostensibly in an effort to align public opinion on the situation.