SHANGHAI SHELLED

Hokitika Guardian, 5 February 1932, Page 5

SHANGHAI SHELLED

FORTS DEMOLISHED JAP GUNS WORK HAVOC BRITISH TROOPS ARRIVE. [United Preaß A»Bocmtioii— By Elwtrii Telegraph—uopye'.gnt. j SHANGHAI, February 4. The city ot Shanghai was tins morning wakened by tne heaviest gurnne that lias been heard since the outbreak of hostilities.

Heavy artillery was being used by both sides.

The Japanese cruisers and destroyers opened an intensive* bombardment on the Cliapei and the Paoshan areas during the morning. The Japanese shells were passing over the eastern and the northern districts of the Foreign' Settlement, ana were exploding in the areas occupied by the Chinese, where the shells set fire to the remaining parts of C’hapei, which had escaped the Japanese aerial bombardment.

There is now a conflagration raging over a tremendous area. Terrible devastation is proceeding. The Japanese intend continuing their ahelling until all of the adjacent areas to those of Cbapei and Paoshan are no longer occupied. It is reported that the Woosuhg forts, to the north of Shanghai, at the mouth of the Whangpoo ftivor. have been completely demolished by the Japanese. The bombardment of the forts bv tbe Japanese warships was witnessed bv foreign vessels. The American steamer, "President Van Buren,” which is on a pleasure cruise round the world, cruised through the "Woosung bombardment, thus affording her passengers a thrilling spectacle. The liner “Na-ldera,” hound for England, also passed the Woosung Forts as the Japanese cruisers were completing the destroyers’ work' of destruction. The Naldera escaped damage.

CALMNESS OF INHABITANTS. i ARTILLERY FIRE CONTINUES. RUGBY, February 3. .Press telegrams from Shanghai state that further artillery and rifle fifing occurred in the Hongkew area of Northern Shanghai, slightly east of Ghapei, in the neighbourhood of the station, this afternoon. Many Japanese planes overhead wore engaged in artillery spotting. Shell fragments fell in the settlement over Shanghai. The press messages pay tributes to Inen and tt-otnel) volunteers’ calmness finder trying cdnclitiolis in Hie Foreign Settlement, and the efficacy in running the emergency organisations, Croat sympathy is felt for the inoffensive Chinese women, and every effort possible is being made locally to relievo their distress. Volunteers who are engaged on essential patrol work are reperfecting the difficult task VTfii the utmost tact. Brigadier Fleming Informed the Jananese it is imperative that they withdraw from the settlement proper, into the extra settlement territory. FOREIGN REINFORCEMENTS. ARRIVAL AT SHANGHAI. RUGBY, February 3. Additional American and British reinforcements arrived to-day at Shanghai, the American cruiser Houston, passing up the river during the forts’ bombardment. Tn a statement regarding the sitution in the Far East made in the Commons by Sir J. Simon (Foreign Secretary) be said the H AI.S. Berwick had arrived at Shanghai. <and the disembarkation of the Argyll-Sptherland Highlanders, and the mountain battery of the Royal Artillery, took place to-day. The situation at Shanghai remains very delicate. j The latest information indicates that ! the Internationa] Commanders are cordially co-operating in the work of main, j taining order within the Settlement, and the position in this respect ap- | pears more satisfactory. The British ' Consul-General reports that municipal police ar e beginning again to function in parts of the Japanese sector of the International Settlement. I JAPAN’S OBDURACY DEPLORED, j GENEVA. February 3. ! The Japanese refusal to permit the ' League, or other outside body, to mediate in Manchuria is being actively discussed. Viscount Sato'lias lodged a protest against League intervention, under Article 15. ' Disappointment is expressed in League circles in regard to Japan's obduracy. but it is felt that cessation of acts of violence, and mutual withdrawal of troops, will pave the way to a truce, enabling China and Japan to negotiate their differences. JAPANESE ARMY AT HARBIN. SHANGHAI, February 1. The Japan"?! l reached the otiLskirU of Harbin !a r t night, and upon arrival there, the Japanese Commander decided to enter the city lids morning. M. Karnkhnn, the Soviet Foreign Minister, has announced to the Japanese Harbin representatives that, ishnuirl Japan occimv that city, 'lie Soviet, would he unable to view with equanimity such a move, winch must evoke a strong protest.

ANXIETY IN AMERICA. OVER JAPAN’S REFLECTION. WASHINGTON, February 5. The critical situation in the International Settlement at 'Shanghai, with the safety of the foreigners there menaced by the continued fighting belt ween the Japanese and Chinese has occupied the exclusive attention of the United States Government to-day. News was received that Count Matsud'.era and Count Sato have informed Cir Eric Drummond at Geneva Unit Japan rejects two of ehe points of the Anglo-American proposals, niunelv, the; second and the fifth. The second point was that, there should be no fmthe.r mobilisation or preparations for hostilities. The fifth point was that prompt advances be made with the negotia’ions to settle the outstanding coalrovers.os between the two nations, in the spirit of the Pact of Paris, and the resolution of the League of Nations, without prior demand or reservations, and with the aid of neutral observers or participants. The receipt of the news as to Japan’s rejection of 'the two points has caused a further feeling of anxiety. It is understood that President Hoover believes that it is necessary that prospective negotiations to settle the Sino-Japanese difficulties “should be conducted in the spirit of the Pact of Paris.” The State Department was in fre iquenl (eonsultaition with the British Government to-day by telephone. AMERICA AND NEUTRALS FULL CO-OPERATION ASSURED. WASHINGTON, February 3 The Navy Department directed Admiral Taylor to assure the other neutral naval and military authorities at Shanghai of ‘-one hundred per cent, naval and military co-operation’' by ithe United -States in maintaining the neutrality and the safety of the International 'Settlement. These orders went forward following on the receipt of important messages from Admiral Taylor, the contents of which have not .been divulged. The reports from the American representatives in Shanghai to-day told of 'the Japanese bombardment of . the Woosung forts, the falling of Chinese shells in the international settlement, the evacuation of Americans from (Nanking, and of the feeling of uncertainty in the Yangtso River and in the -South China pouts.

The day in Congress brought a demand by representative Mel'addon foi the adoption of the Vinson Bill (cabled January 25th) for naval construction ! He said : “The dark shadow of war clouds rises upon the western horizon of the Pacific. A determined military Empire sweeps aside treaties as they were swept -aside in 1914.” The Senate Foreign Relations Committee decided to defer action on the resolution’ by Senator Dill proiiibitiing the shipment of munitions to China and Japan.

V,B.A. SENATORS' CRITICISM, OF JAPANESE EXPLANATION. WASHINGTON, February 3. Commenting on 'the Inukai statement, Senator Borah s a,:d : "The statement is amazing. AVe have been advised by most reliable press reports that 'bombs were dropped on the Chinese city of 'Shanghai, and did great injury to civilians. Now we are adv.sed that no -such things occurred. The dead in 'Shanghai, and 'the burnt portions of the city all require further explanation. ’’ Senator Moses expressed surprise at the statement, and s a *d ; "there mat • be some (humorist in the Japanese' i Foreign Office.” _ . I The State Department and the \Y hi'te House studied the statement, without comment. EVACUATION BY JAPANESE. SITUATION EASED GREATLY. (Received this day at 9.25 a.m) WASHINGTON, February 4. Admiral Taylor radioed the Navy Department to-day that all the Japanese patrols had evacuated the American and British defence sections at Shanghai, ‘‘Thus easing the situation greatly.” It js understood . that the State Department, in the meantime, had made new representations to Japan, regarding the use of the International Settlement as the base of activity against China, but- that the purpose of the representations have already j been accomplished. Admiral Taylor also radioed that the I Japanese cruisers and destroyers had 1 resumed the bombardment of the Woosung forts. Word was received from the Conn rnnndent at the Philippine Islands that Admiral Kelly had arrived at Manila ’on the Kent. and. after taking J aboard fuel supplies. departed for Shanghai, where he is due on feiday | atfei nooii.

AWAITING THE ANSWER. VOW KB’S NOTE TO COMBATANTS. (Recei* ed this <!nv H, 10.15 a ni.) KUOBY, Eehniiiiy ?>. In |,|ie House of Commons. Sir J. Si,ion (Foreign S-rrmary) said: ""<‘ ,St ill avail full aol.hori• a11 V" to the rep . s.-is Oti-01.., made by lour ll’uwers to the Japanese and * binese (lovei limelll and niealilime. lam one glared it i. highly desirable t,o g’ve time for th ie good offiees In bare an undisturbed ••Heel. 1 any say 11. grounds for hope that “hese am ha'dim a good reside” ,Sir Eyres-Mon sell, in answer in n question, said that step- o<nl