FIRES RAGING.

Waikato Times, Volume 121, Issue 20279, 23 August 1937, Page 7

FIRES RAGING.

THE BTRUGQLE IN BHANGHAI. SUCCESS OF JAPANESE. SUPERIORITY IN THE AIR. United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright. SHANGHAI. Aug. 21. As time elapses the chance of the Chinese of dislodging the Japanese from Shanghai decreases. Observers are of the opinion that they have left it a week too late. The Chinese thrusts are harassing but indecisive, and the systematic bombing of the railway lines by the Japanese hampers -the arrival of Chinese reinforcements. Japan can now land troops at the Japanese wharves on the Whangpoo River, In order to pursue her main objective. Altogether 20,000 Japanese troops have arrived at Tientsin from Taku, the port of that city. An air base has been established on Tsungming Island, in the Yangtse estuary, thus increasing the already marked Japanese aerial superiority. The Japanese resumed their aerial bombardment of the Chinese positions near the Shanghai North railway station and of the -Chinese artillery forts at Pootung. The Japanese also have occupied the heights west of Liang-siang, southwest of Peking, after an engagement lasting for three days. The Chinese claim to have repulsed several Japanese attacks on the Nankow front, north-west of Peking. Four Japanese aeroplanes were shot down when raiding Nanking. An Inferno. At Shanghai new and larger fires, with a front at least of a mile, have broken out north-west of the Hongkew police station, north of the Bata Shoe Company’s property and behind Astor House. Fires in the eastern commercial district are uncontrollable and the area north of Soochow Creek Is an Inferno. It has been ascertained that the Anglo-American Oil Company's installations at, Goffe Island were not set alight. The outbreak was at Ihe Brit-ish-owned Asiatic Petroleum Company’s depot at Y'angtse-poo. BOMBARDMENT BY WARBHIP. FIERCE AERIAL BATTLE. PRAISE FOR BRITISH SAILORS. United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright. SHANGHAI. August 21. Firing at point-blank range the Japanese cruiser Idumo bombarded the Chinese 55th Division at Pootung. In a fierce aerial battle, which lasted all day, over the Soochow area, the Japanese intercepted a Chinese air squadron destined for Shanghai. So far 12.800 foreign refugees have been evacuated from Shanghai. A message from Hongkong says 884 women and 423 children have arrived there. They are full of admiration for the way in which the Rritish sailors arc handling the. evacuation.