"NOW IT IS WAR”

Waikato Times, Volume 121, Issue 20273, 16 August 1937, Page 7

"NOW IT IS WAR”

BOMBARDMENT BY JAPANESE. ATTACKS BY WARSHIPS AND PLANES CHINESE REFUGEES THROWN INTO A MAD PANIC (United Press Assn.—Elcc. Tel. Copyright.) SHANGHAI, August 14. Japanese warships to-day heavily bombarded the Woosung forts and fires broke out all along the Paoshan Road where Japanese shells fell. Prior to the Japanese bombardment Chinese airmen had tried unsuccessfully to bomb the Japanese flagship Idumo which was moored opposite to the Japanese Consulate. Japanese squadrons of anti-aircraft guns, in retaliation, literally rocked the city. The raiders escaped. Chinese refugees were thrown into a mad panic, wailing: “There is no end to our woes.” On the other hand grimfaced Japanese muttered: “Now it is war.” A raid against the Japanese headquarters and barracks also failed. All night fighting went on in driving rain on the northern border of the International Settlement. Two British warehouses were ignited. The Japanese occupied all the international areas north of the Soochow Creek and closed the bridges spanning it, thus cutting off a stream of refugees.

SHANGHAI’S NIGHTMARE

A DESPERATE SITUATION. INTERNATIONAL AREA BOMBED. PROTEST BY UNITED STATES. United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright. SHANGHAI, Aug. 15. Shanghai’s nightmare took a fresh lease of life when gunners on both sides swelled the death roll in the metropolis by relentlessly pounding each other’s position, while typhoon winds and drenching rain swept the city. The apprehensiveness of the Japanese attackers can be appreciated when it is known that they have not yet checked the slow, but apparently unimpeded, advance of the Chinese forces from the north-east and north. Japanese communiques admit that these are pressing strongly. Chinese shells caused fires within the Japanese lines. The Japanese are replying to tiie Chinese thrust with all their available artillery, machineguns and armoured cars. Europeans, fearing further Chinese air raids, spent the night in cellars. The city’s situation seems desperate. it is surrounded by well-armed Chinese troops anxious to avenge themselves for previous humiliations by the Japanese. A Protest to China. A message from Nanking slates that British, French and American representatives are protesting to China against the bombing of the International Settlement and the Chinese are Investigating Hie situation. Marshal Chiang Kai-shek has promised that lie will punish the Chinese air pilots if lie finds their bombing of the settlement was due to careless

HOPES OF SETTLEMENT.

ATTITUDE OF OTHER POWERS. TIIE SAFETY OF FOREIGNERS. NEITHER PARTY DESIRES WAR. (Official Wireless.) (Received August 16, 1 p.m.) RUGBY, August 15. News from Shanghai disappoints the hope that hostilities between the Chinese and Japanese forces might be arrested. The British and other governments interested in the maintenance of tiie immunity of the international setlleJapanese mid Chinese authorities are aware of the impcirlanee whieli these Covernmenls allaeli to Hie safely of the Sell lenient and I In* observance by the military forces of belli sides of Hie Commenting ediloriallv on Ihe situation in Ihe Far Kns|. Ihe Daily Telegraph and Iho .Morning Post find grounds for optimism in the belief that neilher of Ihe Iwo parties desire war. 'l'll** Morning Post, after rehearsing Ihe events at Shanghai, says the motives for yesterday’s lighting are not so transparent. II seems unlikely lint oil her Japan or China is anxious to go to war. The incidents themselves would certainly not justify it. War between Japan and China would profit nobody. Japan might defy China, but she could not conquer her. China might sucessfully resist the Japanese invasion but would bo terribly weakened by the effort. The Daily Telegraph says that aerodrome ineidenls were deliberat'd) provoked or not, there is no doubt Ih.ii of [he Japanese military. hill Unto promote a s-t I lenient. What Japan not territorial |.os>.\ssi,.ns hut new to Mar-dial • hianu In .i >h e|, \\'i M * 'll.* I tended still further.

TERRIBLE SCENES

PANDEMONIUM IN SHANGHAI. OFFER TO SELL BABIES. EFFORTS TO SECURE TRUCE. United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright. SHANGHAI. August 14. During the air raid Japanese (including women), armed with clubs, broke street lamps in the llangkow district. British police frustrated Chinese looters. On many Chinese houses were hoisted British and other flags in the hope that they would afford protection. Many Chinese offered to sell their babie-s at as low a price as three shillings a head to foreigners in the hope that the infants would escape death. Protection is being organised for children separated from their parents. The foreign Consuls are making further efforts to secure a truce. Eight Japanese warships are reported to have blocked up the Watigpoo River. The Chinese claim advances on both wings. They made an attack on tiie cotton mills, which, if followed up by stronger forces, will place the outnumbered Japanese iii a difficult position. The Japanese on the North Szechuen Road are not able io use their armoured cars for fear of devastating their own settlement. Threat of Reprisals. The Japanese are protesting against tiie aerial violation of the International Settlement and tbrealen to take reprisals. It is hinted that they may bomb Nanking. Admiral Hasegawa’s order to lli»‘ Chinese in depart from Hie neighbourhood of Chinese military establishments is interpreted as a prelude lo a Japanese naval bombardment of them. Pandemonium was renewed when a second attempt was made by the crews of three aeroplanes to bomb the Idumo. The Nanking Government has proclaimed martial law in Shanghai and Nanking, and in the Shanghai and Hankow railway zones. The Chinese have entered the Janghsiang area. A Missionary Killed. Misjudged Chinese bombs created a shambles at the junction of the Nanking Road and the Avenue Edward VII. A number of foreigners were among the casualties, including several Britons and Americans. The body of Dr. Rawlinson, a prominent American missionary, was found in a shattered motor-car. Tiie lives of the entire foreign population were endangered as the bombers passed overhead and antiaircraft shells screamed over the International Settlement where foreigners and Chinese are lying side by side in ghastly heaps. At least 1000 people were killed. Darkness, owing to the destruction of the lighting, is hampering relief work. The matron of the Shanghai Hospital says it is so filled with foreign victims that it is impossible lo check their names. One bomb hit the British-owned Asiastic Petroleum Company’s stores, Ihe flames lighting up the night sky. An arliliery duel was continued after nightfall. Feverish Activity. An official Chinese statement declares that, ignoring pledges lo seek a settlement of Monday’s incident, diplomatic channels in Japan are feverishly precipitating major hostilities. The Japanese Admiral still insists that lie is acting in self-defence. He has ignored the representations of the European authorities asking him to withdraw the Japanese warships. A message from Tokio -savs an emergency meeting of the Cabinet resolved upon more concrete measures. Mr Kidaka. Minister t.» Nanking, called on Die Chinese Foreign Minister and demanded t lie withdrawal of the Chinese lurches from the settlement

SHOOTING OF SAILORS.

MUTUAL RECRIMINATIONS. 1N \ K-TIC \Tlu\ MY C«‘N.-d 1.-. ‘nlted Press Assn.- Klee. Tel. Copyright. (Continued in next column.)

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