WARSHIPS ARRIVE

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 216, 12 August 1937, Page 9

WARSHIPS ARRIVE

JAPANESE AT SHANGHAI

PURPOSE OF KEEPING GUARD

CHINESE WATCH SILENTLY

(United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—-Copyright. ) Received August 12, 10.20 a.m. . SHANGHAI, Aug. 11. Twenty Japanese warships comprising the ships of the first battle fleet arrived to-day at Woosung, near Shanghai. Bluejackets later . landed at Shanghai.

After the arrival of tho big Japanese naval force at \V costing, the Japanese Chief of Staff issued the following statement: “The Chinese provocative and warlike preparations and the shooting of Lieutenant Ohyama have caused anxiety for the lives and property of Japanese residents. The Third Fleet, therefore, has been increased in strength to a degree necessary solely for keeping guard.” Tho Fleet, consisting of 20 warships with gun-crows ready for action, passed under the loaded guns of the riverside tons, but the Chinese watched in silence. The warships dropped anchor at Woosung, where already 12 Japanese warships wtire anchored. A dispatch received from Tokio regarding the fighting between the Japanese and the Central Government troops states that Hankow is ablaze. A telegram received at Tokio from Shanghai states that 100,000 Chinese soldiers now surround the city and 10,000 Chinese militiamen j are stationed within the prohibited area covered by the truce agreement of 1932.

Tokio also learns from Nanking that the Chinese Government has decided to instruct its Consuls at Yokohama, Kobe, and. Nagasaki to send Chinese residents there home in six steamers which the Chinese Government is chartering. ' In the presence of Chinese and Japanese representatives, a post-mor-tem was.held at Shanghai on the Chinese militiaman whose body was found near the dead Lieutenant Ohyama. A report signed by the Chinese Coroner established that the militiaman was killed by rifle and machine-gun shots. It is therefore claimed that be was a victim ’of shots fired by fellow militiamen and not by revolver shots fifed ’ bv Lieutenant Ohyama or the chauffeur Saito.

A joint cable - from correspondents states that Pekin is still telegrapliicallv and telephonically isolated and the mails arc chaotic. The Chinese continue to flee tho city.

HUNGJAO INCIDENT.

THE CHINESE VERSION,

WELLINGTON, Aug. 11

The following cablegram was received by the Chinese Consul in Wellington from Nanking yesterday: “A Sino-Japanese incident occurred near Hungjao Aerodrome on the western outskirts of Shanghai about 5 p.m. yesterday, when two armed Japanese in naval uniform attempted to force an entrance into the aerodrome. Driving into the guarded zone in a motor-car, the Japanese opened fire when their car was stopped by Chinese guards. The latter did not return the fire. Turning into Monument Road, the Japanese encountered a party of Chinese militiamen who turned out upon hearing gunshots. The Japanese again fired, killing one militiaman, whereupon the Chinese returned fire, killing one Japanese outright and wounding another, who fell dead after running a few yards. “Lately, the Chinese authorities had made repeated protests against the Japanese naval men’s attempts to> spy on the aerodrome, resulting in minor clashes with the Chinese guards. When informed of yesterday’s incident, the Japanese landing party first denied that any officers or marines went to Hungjao, but later, the Japanese casualties were identified as one naval officer and one marine. The Mayor of Shanghai immediately protested to the Japanese, who agreed that a settlement should be attempted by diplomatic means, and discussions are now proceeding.”