CITY ABANDONED

Waikato Times, Volume 121, Issue 20259, 30 July 1937, Page 7

CITY ABANDONED

CHINESE LEAVE PEKING.

NEGOTIATIONS FOR PEACE. NEW MEASURES DECIDED ON. United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright. LONDON, July 29. Messages from Peking state that the Chinese abandoned Peking after the Japanese bombardment and retired to Paotlngfu, 90 miles to the south. They left General Chang Tzechung, commanding the 38th Division, who Is favourable to the t Japanese, In control of the city, which is quiet. Pamphlets dropped by Japanese aeroplanes urged the citizens to return to business. The Japanese and Chinese in Peking are reported to be negotiating for peace. General Sung Cheh-yuan. Governor of Hopei, has delegated his powers In this connection to General Chang Tze-chung. The Chinese Government held an emergency meeting after the abandonment of Peking and decided on new measures to be taken. The details have not been disclosed. SAFETY OF FOREIGNERS. PROTECTIVE MEASURES PROPOSED JAPANESE LEAtfE FOR FRONT. United Press A*tn —Elec. Tel Copyright TIENTSIN, July 28. The Consular Corps met to discuss measures to ensure the safety of foreigners. Three thousand Japanese reinforcements have left Tientsin for the front.

DEFEAT OF CHINESE.

BOMBS AND MACHINE-GUNB. RESIDENTS PANIC-STRICKEN. TIENTSIN BADLY DAMAGED. United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright LONDON, July 29. A message from Peking says the Japanese claim to have heavily defeated the Chinese at Tientsin. After eight hours’ fighting in the concession scores of Japanese aeroplanes bombarded and machine-gunned the principal buildings of Ihe Chinese city, destroying the municipal centre and damaging the Chinese suburbs. The Nankai University, Central Station and militia headquarters are blazing. There were thousands of casual ties. Panic-stricken Chinese are fleeing to the international concessions in Peking. Two Italian and French soldiers were killed while on sentry duty. The firing was so heavy near the Italian concession that the guards occupied a large section of the neighbouring city, between the concession and the International bridge, which is impassable owing to sniping. The Japanese occupied the Peking suburbs of Tankchau and Nanyuan. The latter was almost destroyed, there being 1000 Chinese casualties.

THE NAVY IN ACTION.

CO-OPERATION WITH TROOPS. EMPEROR MEETS WAR MINISTER. EFFORT TO LIMIT FIGHTING. United Tress Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright. TOKIO, July 29. A communique Issued by the Minister of the Navy, Admiral M. Yonai. states that Chinese troops fired on a Japanese destroyer lying off Taku. the port of Tientsin. The destroyer returned the fire, after which the naval forces opened an offensive in co-oper-ation with the Japanese military forces. The spokesman of the Japanese Foreign Office. Mr Tatsuo Kawai, stated to day that the mere withdrawal of the 37th Division from the Peking area is now deemed entirely insufficient to ensure the safety of the lives and property of Japanese nationals. The Emperor yesterday received the Minister of War, General Sugiyama, and discussed the situation. The British Charge d’Affaires and the American Ambassador called on Mr Koki Hirota, Foreign Minister, who stated that lie was making strenuous efforts to avoid large-scale fighting.

AMERICAN MARINES SHOT. CHINESE CONSUL’S REPORT. (Hy Telegraph.—Tress Association.) AN'i:IJJ.\(iTON. Friday. Pari of a cablegram received by the Chinese Consul reads: — The gendarmes at Tung Chow revolted against Yin Jukeng and the Chinese troops entered the city. The Japanese are retreating towards Shili Ho. Stray bullets hit two American marines when shots were exchanged between I lie Chinese soldiers and the Japanese plain clothes men in Morrison SI roe I at Peiping this afternoon. Japanese reports suggested that Ihe ■ hinese deliberately attacked the American- whi.ih u ridiculous