DAILY SHELLING

Waikato Times, Volume 121, Issue 20276, 19 August 1937, Page 9

DAILY SHELLING

STRATEGIC POINTS BOMBED JAPANESE STEAMERS SCUTTLED. FIERCE ATTACK BY CHINESE. United Press Assn.—EJec. Tel. CopyrightSHANGHAI, August IS. The Japanese' warships began their daily bombardment of Shanghai at 5 a.m. The Chinese artillery replied. The exchanges lasted for three hours, then Japanese aircraft renewed the bombing of strategic points from Chapei to Woosung, including the Chenju radio station, which links China with the world. The Chinese scuttled six Japanese steamers which were blocking the' Systematic bombing on the part of the Japanese continued all day long, especially in the North Station district. The Chinese' troops launched a fierce attack in the Yangtsepoo area. The Japanese defenders were materially assisted by a barrage from the warships. The Japanese occupied the Broadway Mansions Hotel, the tallest skyscraper in Shanghai, in spite of the protests of the British management. NO NEUTRAL ZONE. SHANGHAI OPERATIONS. CHINESE CO NT ENT 10 NS. United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright. (Received Aug. 19, 11 a.m.) SHANGHAI, Aug. ISThe Chinese have rejected the proposal for a neutral zone in Shanghai, contending that the English and Americans would not use force if the Japanese committed a breach of neutrality. Shanghai experienced its first night attack to-night, Japanese bombers, droning in a moon-lit sky, bombing Chapei, Kiangwan and Mantao. Buildings were set on lire.

ACTION BY AMERICA.

MARINES SENT TO SHANGHAI. PROTECTION OF INTERESTS. EVACUATION OF NATIONALS. United Press Assn —Eiec. Tel. Copyright. WASHINGTON. August 17. President Roosevelt has ordered 1200 additional marines from San Diego to Shanghai to protect American interests. 11c has asked Congress for an appropriation of 500,000 dollars for the evacuation of 3800 Americans from Shanghai. The Secretary of State, Mr Cordell Hull, intimates that Mr Roosevelt is ready, if necessary, to declare neutrality within 24 hours, but he does not consider the ease parallels that of Ethiopia. In that instance, the United States promptly declared that a state of war | existed. Mr Hull was careful to state that lie does not subscribe to the theory that American sovereignly follows American nationals or their property anywhere in the world, blit also that the' United States cannot allow’ certain nations to believe American nationals can he ill-treated or Insulted with impunity. A message from New York says Hint the Washington correspondent of Ihe New York Times emphasises that Mr Hull, consciously or unconsciously, showed sympathy with China’s efforts to build up a stable Government. THE SOVIET ATTITUDE. SYMPATHIES WITH CHINA. ANXIETY OVER MONGOLIA. KEY TO THE FAR EAST. United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright. MOSCOW, August 18. Although the Soviet chiefs are maintaining a neutral attitude over the Sino-.lapancse conflict, the Moscow press does not attempt to conceal where ils sympathies lie. lzvcstia publishes a cartoon showing a lit 110 Japanese officer trying to ride a giant Chinese coolie and getting an unexpected punch on tlie nose. | 11 is claimed that Ihe Chinese I masses are in a new fighting mood and 1 that the quality and quantity of NanI king's new armaments have surprised I Japan, but no prophecies are made about the outcome of the conflict. The Soviet will only intervene. It is I said, if the Japanese attempt to invade Muter Mongolia, with which Moscow has a mutual assistance pact. Moscow believes that Outer Mongolia Is the strategic key to the entire Far East and, therefore, Japan's ultimate objective j some day. AUCKLAND RESIDENTS SAFE. Mi W"llD MF MIHSb >N ABIES. AI CKI. \ND. Thursday. ! sen'; 1 ,, message '-Filing tha I lie and Mrs .Do- C* Ihe .mM.'-i OH. Mis , \.\\«*l* 11l IS been I'er el\i■, |MI \|jek j who stationed williiu the war zou;.