JAPANESE CLAIM

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 136, 1 February 1932, Page 3

JAPANESE CLAIM

(Press. Assn.

CHINESE FAILED TO KEEP CONDITIONS OF TRUCE INVADERS' DRASTIC MEASURES

— By Telegrapl

i — Copyrlght).

Rec. Jan. 31, 5.5 p.m. SHANGHAI, Saturday. Charging the Chinese with failure to observe the truce, the Japanese today commeneed another determined assault on Chapei, but met with strong opposition, eventually retiring along the boundary, the Chinese gaining considerable ground previously lost in the first assault in Thursday's midnight attack. The Chinese brought artillery into action, shells dropping" around the Japanese naval headquarters. Reports from the Japanese headquarters state that the offensive this morning was necessary to retain the position already occupied. Armoured ears joined the attack, but failed to penetrate the Chinese defences and retreated to the boundary, extending from Range Road within the Settlement proper up to a point adjoining the Japanese headquarters, a distance of a mile and a half. Along the Extra Settlement Road, every shop and house frontage was destroyed by Japanese bombs and wrecking parties. A large section was deliberately fired and began burning fiercely as motor' trucks loaded with timber and kerosene were set alight for the purpose of removing cover for snipers and holding off any Chinese advance immediately threatening the Settlement. Unconfirmed reports state that the Chinese captured three of the Japanese armoured cars used to attack the station. An important meeting of the Defencc Committee at the Settlement this morning, decided that the situation in Hongkew district, within the Settlement, which previously had been assigned to the Japanese to defend, required the presence of British troops to prevent further encroachment by Japanese forces, and also to prevent the endangering of the lives of residents by eross-fire from the Chinese. It is expected that the Royal Scots will be sent to this area at any moment. A battalion of the Wiltshire Regiment arrived this morning and will disembark to-morrow. Japanese reinforcements numbering 1000 men will also arrive to-day. According to a statement by Admiral Shoidawa there are 20 naval vessels in the harbour, including two of the largest aireraft carriers, also 5000 blue-jackets and marines. He announced that in the event of further attacks on the Japanese position, he ' will bring a fleet of 20 'planes into ; opera'tion to bomb the Chinese posi- _ tion.