WAR HORRORS

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

WAR HORRORS

CARNAGE AND HAVOC. THE PEOPLE PANIC-STRICKEN. ENGLISH OFFICIALS WOUNDED. United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright. SHANGHAI, August 14. Mistaking the British warship Cumlrerland for a Japanese cruiser, Chinese airmen dropped bombs but missed the vessel near Woosung. The International Settlement, previously regarded as a refuge, has been the scene of havoc and carnage hitherto unexampled. The police report that bomb explosions in the denselypacked area of the Avenue Edward VII and the Nanking Road killed 506 people and wounded 903. The wounded include two English officials and many Europeans, but it has been ascertained that Miss Rawlinson, daughter of Dr. Rawlinson, escaped. The failure of the Chinese fliers to calculate their direction and speed is attributed to the strength of the typhoon wind which delayed the arrival of Japanese transports supposed to be making at full-speed for Shanghai with reinforcements to prevent the possible Japanese evacuation. Relentless Bombardment. In the meanwhile the Japanese war machine relentlessly functioned, maintaining an artillery bombardment from the north station and driving hundreds of people into the International Settlement from the north side of the Soochow Creek. Several persons were trampled to death in Ihe mad stampede. One hundred panic-stricken people were caught between tiie Chinese ami the Japanese forces and faced a storm of machinegun bullets. When at last a lull supervened ambulances were sent cut to succour the. wounded and dying. Three huge fires

tire still lighting Die murky sky and the streets are almost deserted. All places of business and amusement are closed. Britons. In accordance with orders, evacuated the settlement north of the Soochow Creek. British and French sailors were landed and rushed by lorry to defensive areas. Chinese airmen are reported to have frustrated an attempt to land Japanese marines from the warships in the Yangtse estuary. A Suggestion Rejected. Admiral Hasegavva rejected the suggestion of the British warship Danae to remove the Idumo to a position less dangerous to the International Settlement on account of the Chinese air bombing. The Admiral said Japan could not change the position of her warships unless neutrals gave guarantees for the protection of Japanese life and property equal to those the warships provided. Mrs Eleanor Roosevelt, daughter-in-law of the late Mr Theodore Roosevelt, appealed to Madame Chiang Kaishek to use her influence to stop the bombing of Shanghai, at least until the safety of foreigners and refugees were assured. A Japanese communique states that Japanese infantry entrenched on the Jukon Road and in the Chapei district repulsed a Chinese attack which was later renewed. . They also repulsed an attack on the Japanese general headquarters at llongkcw Park. JAPANESE ADMISSION. ENEMY “ PRESS STRONGLY.” A WELL-TIMED OPERATION. United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright. SHANGHAI, August 14. Marshal Chiang-kai-Shek's crack 87th division has taken up positions in the Kiangwan section. Other Chinese troops are being rushed up to Shanghai. The Japanese, hopelessly outnumbered, await reinforcement before attempting to advance. Later. Chinese Infantry and artillery at 4.20 tills morning launched simultaneous attacks against the Chinese cotton mills In the north-east of Shanghai, and positions near the Japanese headquarters. A Japanese communique admits that the Chinese “ press strongly.” THE NEUTRALITY ACT. ATTITUDE OF UNITED STATES. SENATORS URGE ACTION. PROTECTION OF NATIONALS. United Press Assn—Eiec. Tel. Copyright. WASHINGTON, Aug. 14. Government leaders are refusing to be stampeded into hasty acLioii in i*ogard lo the Sino-Jupaneso conllict in spite of the demands of a section led by Senator Nye for the invocation of tlio Neutrality Act. 't he Secretary of State, Mr. Cordell Hull, announces that the United States urged China and Japan not to make Shanghai a base for military operations, lie added that the Navy was ready to protect or evacuate nationals. President Roosevelt, who is spending the week-end on his yacht on the ( Potomac River, is in hourly touch with developments. This lias strengthened | the belief that the invocation of the Neutrality Act is not entirely a remote possibility. Most of the newspapers do not comment, but tlie New York journal appears to sum up the weight ~f public political opinion in saying: •• America’s cmieem is the protection of her I pie. The Silio-.lapancse war