1937-07-21 — Page 9

THE CHINA MAIL, JULY 21, 1937.

Wholesale Chinese Flight Into Foreign Concessions

GRADUAL EXTENSION OF NORTH CHINA OPERATIONS

35,000 JAPANESE

TROOPS ARRIVING AT TANGKU

Peiping, To-day.

-In the evening, the Japanese at- tacked Lukuochiao again at 8 p.m. and Tachengchuen at 7 p.m. Figh ing was continuing in both: late into the night.-Our Own respondent.

“SURPRISE” ATTACK

Peiping, To-day. The Japanese troops made a sur-

Intense nervousness prevails throughout North prise attack at 8.45 pm. last night China as a result of yesterday's further Sino- Jap-on Chinese soldiers stationed at Ta- anese clashes which grimly shattered the armed ching Village. Heavy field-guns con-

tinue firing.-Da-Dao. truce which has been tacitly observed for several days past, and a wholesale exodus from the Chinese city to the foreign concessions is proceeding in Tientsin.

JAPANESE PLANES TO BE FIRED ON

Nanking Orders.

NO CHINA REQUEST OF BRITAIN

London, To-day Contrary to reports from Tokyo, no request for British interven- tion in the North China dispute, has yet been received from the Chinese Ambassador, Mr. Quo Tai chi.

Another report that the Chinese Foreign Minister Dr. Wang

thà

ed the

Sir Hughe with the also › unconfirm-

Nanking in reply to the last Japan- ese: Note

In the document the Chinese Government reiterates its desire for peaceful settlement of the con- flict.

Although persistent movement Nanking, To-day. of Japanese troops on Chinese ter-

After the first clash yesterday afternoon, the Japanese forces re-commenced the bombardment It is officially reported that the ritory undoubtedly constituted an of Wanping at 7.45 p.m. last night and shelled the Nanking Government has instructed invasion, China proposed that both area for more than two hours, ceasing fire at about military authorities to fire on Ja-parties should agree to fix a de- 101 p.m. after wrecking several buildings in Wan panese planes if they fly over Chin fined date on which both sides ese territories. Our Own Corres-would simultaneously undertake to Ping and partially destroying the Marco Polo pondent. Bridge.

BLANKS FIRED

Paoting, July 20.

terminate all military movements and to withdraw their troops to Severe fighting is also reported to have taken

positions occupied prior to the place round the villages of Shihsangyuan, two miles A number of Japanese planes flew incident.

over the Hopei-Honan border, ap The Chinese. Government was to the west of Peiping, Tachingtsun, to the north-parently scouting for troop move prepared to enter into immediate east of Wanping, and at Tahungmen, between Pei-ments. Chinese anti-aircraft guns negotiations. Trans-Ocean. ping and Nanyuan.

It is in this direction that the bitterest fighting is feared as the operations are gradually bringing the Japanese troops into contact with the 38th Divi- sion at Nanyuan, who have not hitherto clashed with the Japanese forces. The 38th Division is be- lieved to be about 12,000 strong and they have been hectically engaged in the last two or three days in preparing defence positions.

35,000 TROOPS FROM JAPAN

fired blanks as a warning. -Da-Dao-

-Dao CHIANG TO FLY LOCAL DOCTORS TO

TO NORTH

GO NORTH

Ready To Do So If

Hostilities Occur ⠀⠀⠀

"We will sacrifice our present posi-

To Discuss Defence With Commanders

Nanking, July

It is learned a dial quar-

tions in the Colony and proceed to ters that Marshal Chiang Kai-shek the north to assist in hospitals and will fly to Shichiachang, in Hopei, Red Cross units in the event of hos- where he will hold a conference with tilities breaking out between

General Sung Cheh-yuan, Han Fu-

our

country and Japan, was the rechu, and Yen Shih-shan, the supreme solution voiced by several local Chin-heads of the Hopei, Shantung, and ese doctors.

Shanst Provincial Governments re- spectively.

In the Colony there are about 80

that they held a meeting recently

Generals Feng Yu-hsiang and Ho

respectively where they will. take up their new commands of these two of the most important strategic points in China.-Da-Dao.

Both in Tientsin and Peiping, the feeling is growing that it will not be long before fighting be- comes general, but the grimmest news is conveyed Chinese doctors and it is reported Ying-ching will proceed in two or in reports of the resumption of very heavy Japan-and discussed the situation in North three days to Loyang and Hsuchow ese troop movements on the Peiping-Mukden Rail- China. way and the announcement that 35,000 Japanese troops are arriving at Tangku by sea from Japan. The first transports are expected to reach Tangku to-morrow morning. The troops will all proceed to Tientsin immediately by train and the line is now being organised to facilitate the movement,

H.M.S. Grimsby has arrived at Tangku. Reuter.

SUNG'S FURTHER BID FOR PEACE

Tokyo, To-day,

Advices from Peiping state that General Sung Cheh-yuan yester- day evening proposed withdrawal of the 37th Division of the 29th Route Army from Tapaoshan between 10 o'clock and noon to-day.

Military police, he suggested, should be substituted, in order to prevent further clashes at Lukouchiao.

ese officers to supervise the withdrawal.--Reuter.

SUNG CHEH-YUAN'S STATEMENT

Denies Pact Signing Rumours

Peiping, To-day.

CHIANG CONFERS WITH LEADERS

Nanking, To-day. Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek, who returned to Nanking yesterday General Sung Cheh-yuan, Com- at 6 p.m.; held an emergency meet- mander of the 29th-Route Army, is- ing with the Ministers and military sued a circular yesterday evening leaders here immediately after his in which he requested his country- arrival.-Our Own Correspondent. men not to believe the rumours which have been spread through- out the country to the effect that he has signed certain agreements at 3.50 p.m. hostilities at Lukou-

RAILWAY SUSPENDED

Peiping, To-day. According to reports received here with the Japanese in North China.

chiao and Fengtai started almost "I am for peace,” reads part of simultaneously at about three o'clock

circular, “but I would not even yesterday afternoon.

the

The Japanese military authorities have appointed-three Japan-dream of attaining it by signing The Peiping-Tientsin Railway ser- such agreements with the Japanese vice has been suspended →→ Da-Dao. as have been reported."--Our Own Correspondent.

HEAVY FIGHTING

LAST NIGHT

Lukouchiao Twice

Attacked

Peiping, To-day,

Japanese troops in North China

At 3 p.m. they attacked Lukuo- chiao with heavy bombardment by cannons and machine guns. The famous Marco Polo Bridge was dam- aged but Lukuochiao was still in the hands of the Chinese and fight- ing ended at 4.30 p.m.

.

At 2.30 p.m. they attacked Wan-

CHINA'S OFFER

Desire For Peaceful Settlement

London, To-day.

TSAI TING-KAI WILL FLY NORTH

تایم او عراق

General Tsal Ting kai, former com- månder of the famous XIXth Route Army, arrived from Manila în the Empress of Russia at dawn to-day. * He Immediately left the boat and

attacked the Chinese force at three pinghsien but they were also repuls- The Chinese Embassy yesterday journeyed to Hong Kong and it is points yesterday afternoon.

ed by the Chinese troops there. It publish the text of the memor understood that he is not proceed- At 2 p.m. they attacked Tacheng is stated that fighting was also oc- randum which the Foreign Minising north by the Empresa liner.

Bellef is that he will proceed to chuen and were repulsed, and fight- curred near Fengtai yesterday after-ter, Dr. Wang Chung-hui handed ing ended at about 3 p.m.

to the Japanese Ambassador în Canton and fly north by plane.

noon.