18:17 CHINA
AUGUST 18
CANTON AIR RAID PANIC
Sirens Shriek Out: Govt. Offices Evacuated
MOBILISATION OF ALL POLICE ON SHAMEEN
JAPANESE PLANES
SAID SIGHTED CROSSING COAST
Canton, 11.20 a.m.
The entire British police force and the French troops on Shameen are now on duty as a result of a panic which swept Canton this morning following reports that Japanese bombing of the City was imminent.
First reports circulated last night that Canton might be raided by Japanese planes from an air- craft-carrier off the coast were followed this morn- ing by apparently reliable reports that a squadron of planes had been sighted over the coast heading for the Pearl River.
Air-raid syrens shrilled out this morning, throwing the entire Chinese city into hysteria, and the Kwangtung authorities ordered a squadron of Chinese planes into the air. The planes are now cir- cling over the city at a great height ready for any eventualities.
Government officials are reported to have eva- cuated their offices, and it is expected that a state of emergency may be declared at any moment.
Captain Ferguson, British Police chief on Shameen, acted promptly and recalled all police to duty. Pill-boxes along the creek have been manned and the gates closed.
Chinese attempted to flock onto Shameen but were turned back
by policemen at the British Bridge. Only those Chinese working in offices and so on are being allowed on the island. Our Own Corres pondent.
SYSTEMATIC BOMBING
Shanghai, To-day.
Squadrons of Japanese planes again appeared later this morning and are now systematically bombing strategic points from Chapei to Woosung. The attackers are meeting with futile opposi- tion from the Chinese in conditions which are ideal for bombing. Reuter.
Shanghai, To-day. Japanese planes are continuously attacking the Chinese artillery positions in Pootung and Kiang-
wan.
As long as the Chinese batteries in Pootung are not silenced, the Japanese warships and the Japan- ese positions in Hongkew and Yangtsepoo are be- tween two fires.
Chinese planes attacked Japanese warships again but again met with no success. Trans- Ocean.
CONSUL'S NEUTRAL ZONE PLAN
London, To-day. According to the "Daily Herald," Mr. J. W. 0. Davidson, the British Consul in Shanghai, has de- vised a plan which he has submitted to his French, American and Italian colleagues, that both the Chi-
and Japanese troops be withdrawn from a entral zone to be established around the Settle-
In order to meet Japanese objections to a simi-
JAPANESE BOMB POOTUNG
Fly Daringly Low
Shanghai, To-day. Japanese planes, flying daringly low, drew bursts of machine-gun fire from the Chinese infantry in Poo- tung
LAST CHANCE FOR PEACE
London, To-day. Corroborating the Daily Herald's" assertion, the “Daily Telegraph" says the plan was con- sidered at yesterday's Cabinet meet- ing in London and understands that urgent diplomatic approaches will now be made in all the capitals con- cerned.
In a leader supporting the scheme, the Daily Telegraph points out that the responsibility of the Pow ers under it would not be easy, nor could Britain undertake it alone
Yesterday's and to-day's aerial activity has been res ponsible for acceleration of British and American regis-with the limited forces that she has tration for voluntary evacua- on the spot, but it is a courageous tion, with many who had and friendly gesture. pre hitherto withheld now rush- ing to register.
Altogether, 3,176 British women and children have now registered, representing more than half the total number in Shanghai.
Reuter.
LUNGHUA RAID Warships Shell Pootung
Shanghai, To-day.
After a night of occasion- al firing, several squadrons of Japanese planes shattered the early morning peace by bombing the vicinity of. Lunghua aerodrome, and the Chinese lines ringing Cha-
to
If France and America assent, China, and Japan would certainly be well assent, China and Japan would certainly be well advised not let questions of prestige obstruct the only path now apparent to pre- vent a major was for which neither is ready. Reuter
pei and Kangwan
Simultaneously Japanese scouting planes appeared over Pootung trying to spot new gun positions believed to have been established by the Chinese during the night.
The Japanese warships, led by the Idzumo, bombard- ed these alleged positions for about twenty minutes. Renter.
lar project mooted previously, Mr. Davidson now suggests that the Settlement Powers guarantee to keep order in the neutral zone during the with- drawal-Reuter.
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