HANKOW ABLAZE.

Waikato Times, Volume 121, Issue 20270, 12 August 1937, Page 5

HANKOW ABLAZE.

DISPLAY OF NAVAL FORCE. JAPANESE FLEET AT WOOSUNG. CHINA’S WARLIKE PREPARATIONS United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright. (Received August 12, 11.20 a.m.) LONDON, August 11. After the arrival of a big Japanese naval force at Woosung 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 increased its strength to a degree necessary solely to keeping guard.’’ The fleet, consisting of twenty warships, with the guncrews ready for action, passed under the loaded guns of the riverside forts, but the Chinese watched in silence. The warships dropped anchor at Woosung, where already twelve Japanese warships are anchored. A dispatch received from Tokio regarding the fighting between Japanese and Central Government troops states that Hankow is ablaze. Troops Surround City. A telegram received at Toldo from Shanghai states that 100,000 Chinese soldiers now surround the city, and 10,000 Chinese militiamen 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 the consuls at Yokohama, Kobe and Nagasaki to send the Chinese residents there home in six steamers, which the Chinese Government is chartering. Killed by Fellow-Troopers. In the presence of Chinese and Japanese representatives a post-mor-tem was held at Shanghai on the militiaman whose body was found near Lieutenant Ohyama. A report signed by the Chinese coroner established that the militiaman was killed by rifle and machinegun shots. It is therefore claimed that lie was the victim of shots fired by fellow-militiamen, not by revolver shots fired by Lieutenant Ohyama or the driver of the car, Salto. Tiie Japanese Embassy in London states that the body of Lieutenant Ohyama had eighteen bullet wounds and sword gashes. He had also been clubbed and his skull smashed. Saito was shot dead, and tiie back of ills head clubbed and bnyonelted. He was robbed. Peking Isolated. A Joint cable from correspondents states that Peking is still telegraphically and telephonically isolated, and mails are chaotic. Tiie Chinese continue to flee from ihe city. JAPANESE BATTLE FLEET. ARRIVAL AT SHANGHAI. OFFENSIVE AGAINST HANKOW. United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright. SHANGHAI, August 11. Twenty Japanese warships, comprising the ships of tiie First Battle Fleet, have arrived at Woosung, near Shanghai. The Chinese Government has decided to evacuate Chinese residents in Japan. A Japanese offensive against, Hankow is expected to open shortly. ThouoC war material are proceeding in that i direction.