THE CHINA MAIL, DECEMBER 9, 1937.
BATTLE RAGES ALL NIGHT ROUND NANKING Japanese Main Bodies Slowly Nearing Walls FEVERISH PREPARATIONS APOLOGY FOR DEFENCE COMPLETED
JAPANESE
FINAL SORTIE AT KIANGYIN
OMINOUS AIR BROODS OVER CAPITAL
3
Nanking, To-day.
The splutter of machine-guns and occasional shell fire could be plainly heard all through the night as the main bodies of the advancing Japanese forces drew closer to Nanking.
Shanghai, To-day. Strong Japanese detachments which crossed the Yangtse hear Feverish work in preparing the defences of the Kiangyin in junks under cover of city for what may develop into the bloodiest battle heavy artillery fire yesterday of the whole war, has now been completed. morning, captured the forts on the other bank some time later.
Occupation of these forts will
enable the Japanese to clear the
river for passage of warships by
removing junks filled with concrete which the Chinese had sunk in order to block traffic up river.
訂
The Chinese, who have large stocks of rice and ammunition, are in a position to offer stout re- sistance, but whether they will do more remains to be seen.
Looters are still being sum-, with the Japanese trying to drive marily shot, and their bodies ex- spearhead attacks. towards the out- hibited publicly as a warning to er city wall. others.
FOR WUHU BOMBING
London, To-day Admiral Hasegawa, com manding Japanese naval units in Chinese waters, yesterday sent his chief of staff to call on Admiral Sir Charles Little to apologise for the bombing of British steamers at Wuhu by Japan- ese planes.
It is stated in a press re- port that the Japanese have
declared their willingness to pay for damage done. Trans-Ocean.
ANTI-SOVIET BOMB OUTRAGE
The Chinese continue to burnIN SHANGHAI
Shanghai, To-day.
After the passage has been
The post office is closed but beautiful new residences between cleared the Japanese will be in a the telephone service is still in the inner and outer walls in order position to send warships up-river operation inside the city.
to deprive the Japanese of cover. at least as far as Chinkiang where The Japanese are busily mov-
Meanwhile the Chinese press re
The outer office of the Russian another boom has been constructing up supplies, including siege ports that the German Ambassador, Daily News, pro-Soviet news- ed. A whole series is believed to guns, in an attempt to storm the Dr. Oscar Trautmann, is continuing paper published in the French Con- exist also between Chinking and city if the defenders refuse to mediatory efforts. Nanking. Their warships hitherto capitulate as demanded.
have been unable to take part in the present operations. Trans- Ocean.
CHINKIANG BATTLE UNCERTAINTY
Shanghai, To-day. Unconfirmed reports state that the Japanese have entered Chin- kiang, 70 kilometres west of Nanking
THIRTY-MILE WALL
The Japanese vanguards are now at many points outside the outer or high sea wall, has
eater
ULTIMATUM
eighteen gates and is 30 miles in, NOT EVEN READ
circumference.
Among the gates which the Ja- panese have approached is the
| Kwanghuamen, or Gate of Glory.
An ominous air broods over the
BY GEN. TANG
Shanghai, To-day,
was damaged last night
unidentified screan
na black
the window ledge drove off
damaged
loud
There were no casualties, as 10- body was in the outer office, al- though M Chilkin, the editor and capital, and all civilians have been It is stated here that General publisher, was on the second ordered to move into the so-called Tang Sheng-chi, Garrison Com-floor with twenty Chinese work- safety zone, which the Japanese re-mander of Nanking, refused to men and ten Russian reporters. fuse to recognise, and the prospect read the ultimatum presented by of a frightful holocaust if warfare the Japanese military authorities spreads into the city is causing for the surrender of the Capital much concern.
the war zone.
SIMILAR OUTRAGES
M. Chilkin later stated that the
All Nanking is declared to be in Unless the Chinese Government entire building shook and the occu-
in Hankow communicates with Pants were badly frightened. In order to deprive the Japanese the Japanese authorities announc- The incident is probably connect Japanese troops who have been at-of cover, the Chinese continue set ing that they are willing to talked with similar happenings when tacking Kiangyin for some time, are to fire to many buildings, and many peace, the Japanese troops will tombs were deposited a few days said yesterday to have succeeded in beautiful homes in Sun Yat-sen storm the Capital regardless of ago in the Soviet Club and the So- crossing the Yangtse and in carrying Park went up in flames during the cost stated a Japanese spokes-viet Trade Office. Both, however, Our Own were discovered before they had time to explode. Reuter
out an attack on Chinese detach night. ments near Tsingkiang and Tien- FIGHTING IN HILLS shengchiang.
Japanese quarters attach special importance to this reported develop ment, as it is the first time that Ja- panese troops have crossed the river towards the north in the district between Shanghai and Nanking. Trans-Ocean.
ABSURD
Much sporadic fighting has taken place in the hills between the con- tending forces but the real battle for Nanking has not yet begun.
FOREIGNERS IN RIVER Last night, as a precautionary measure, the remaining members of the British, United States and Ger- man Embassy staffs slept on board ships in the river. -
However, they intend to go ashore daily as long as the situation per- mits
HMS. Scarab and HMS. Cricket,
ALLEGATION British river gunboats, have gone a
Tokyo, To-day.
short distance up-river and are now moored alongside the Ewo hulk.
A number of foreigners are re- The sensational (and absurd) al-maining on shore, most of whom legation that the two British ships are connected with hospitals or the bombed and hit by Japanees planes so-called safety zone Renter
Wuhu were carrying · Chinese
NIGHT BATTLES
man this
Correspondent.
Those who know-
Drink
EWO
30311.
Brewed by EWO BREWERY-
JARDINE MATHESON & 90. Ltd.
vas made by pay Foreign okesman yesterday
the hills
day
last night Nanking,