TRAIL OF DESTRUCTION.

Waikato Times, Volume 121, Issue 20272, 14 August 1937, Page 7

TRAIL OF DESTRUCTION.

BOMBARDMENT BY WARSHIPS. HUGE DAMAGE TO PROPERTY. HORROR OP BURSTING SHELLS. United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright. (Received Aug. 14, 11 a.m.) LONDON, Aug. 13. After occupying Nankow the Japanese attacked Chinese positions in Nankow Pass, where 4000 Chinese fought a stubborn rearguard actionIt is feared that the Chinese may blow up railway tunnels, thereby crippling transport. A bombardment by a Japanese warship is gradually destroying the newlybuilt Jukong wharf, which cost £l,000,000. The Chinese are dynamiting bridges in the hope of stopping the Japanese advance. The British United Press oorresponent at Shanghai says that foreign bankers are resolved to carry on business as usual. Two additional Japanese destroyers joined in bombarding Chinese positions between Whangpo and Kiangwan. Bursting shells in the latter were visible in the international settlement. It is feared that the modern Chinese civic centre will he demolished. The Chinese mustered near Honan Gate, sniping advancing Japanese. JAPAN’S DILEMMA. WARFARE ON TWO FRONTS. POSITION IN SHANGHAI. United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright. (Received Aug. 14, 1.45 p.m.) LONDON, Aug. 13. The Tokio correspondent of the Times states that developments at Shanghai will compel the Japanese to contemplate warfare on two fronts, inasmuch -as there are 3000 to 5000 Jap.anese civilian refugees in Shanghai, whose evacuation will be difficult and their abandonment is impossible. The Nanking Government hopes that Japan will send an army to Shanghai to protect them, thus embarrassing herself, not only by reducing her forces in North China but by having to face on the Shanghai front Marshal Chiang Kai-shek's German-trained divisions. Japan, therefore, has decided to negotiate with Nanking for a cessation of warlike preparations at Shanghai, which can be accomplished by the neutralisation of Shanghai conditionally on the withdrawal of Chinese troops.