1937-08-17 — Page 7

AUGUST 17, 1937.

EXPLOSION ABOARD JAPANESE WARSHIP Terrific Battle Raging This Morning In Hongkew CHIANG KAI-SHEK REPORTED GRAPHIC STORY

NOW IN COMMAND

PRISONERS KILLED WHEN SHELL HITS GAOL HOSPITAL

Shanghai, To-day.

An explosion occurred on a Japanese torpedo- boat moored near the Idzumo at 7.34 this morning, when clouds of black smoke billowed towards the Bund but soon ceased. Cause of the explosion is un- known.

The torpedo-boat, which was lying about half a mile down river from the Idzumo, finally berth- ed on the Pootung side of the river under her own steam. She evidently was not seriously damaged.

A shell, presumably from a Chinese gun in Poo- tung, exploded in the gaol hospital in the eastern district of the International Settlement, within the Japanese occupied area, killing five prisoners. Reuter.

CHIANG IN COMMAND RUMOUR

Shanghai, To-day.

-KUNG GETS

HUGE CREDIT

FROM ARMS FIRM

Prague, To-day.

It is announced that the Chinese Minister of Finance, Dr. H. H. Kung, has con- `cluded arrangements with the Czecho-Slovakian arm- aments firm of Skoda for extending a £10,000,000 commercial credit to China for the purchase of "indus- trial goods" in Czecho- Slovakia." Reuter.

3

OF BATTLE FOR HONGKEW

Shangha To-day

Bitter fighting for possession of Chapel and Hongkew still contin- nes, though neither side seems able to force a decision.

In the face of the continued at- tack launched by the Japanese air force, infantry and navy, the Chin ese were compelled to retreat at several points during the course of yesterday morning, but by evening had been able to recover their form- er positions, and even gained some territory in Hongkew

The fiercest fighting occurred in close proximity to the Japanese headquarters in Hongkew Park

the

move

FIERCE ATTACKS Apparently the Chinese Com- (Continued from Previous Col.)

mand is having recourse to all means the Hongkew and Yangtsepoo dis- the adjacent barracks before

at its disposal to drive the Japan pressure exerted by the Chinese in lese out of their headquarters and tricts, the Japanese have ordered Japanese reinforcements can the evacuation of a number of into action. streets.

Sixty houses have been set on fire of Chinese troops are arriving at Simultaneously many trainloads by the Japanese troops in order to North Station, which, together with clear the fighting zone for their

the railway line to Nanking, was artillery.-Trans-Ocean

repeatedly the objective of Japanese air attacks.

According to persistent rumours circulating in Chinese quarters here yesterday, General Chiang Hospital Suicide Kai-shek has himself taken over the supreme com- mand of all troops in the Shanghai area.

An inmate of the Tung Wah Eastern Hospital, committed sui-

No great damage was done, how-

ever.

JAPANESE EVACUATE SEVERAL STREETS Information available late last

cide by jumping off a second floor night reveals that owing to the

(Continued on preceding Col.)

The Chinese forces in Shanghai have been con- siderably increased and their total strength is now verandah, yesterday. roughly thirteen Divisions.-Trans-Ocean. HEAVY ENGAGEMENT IN PROGRESS

Shanghai, 10.50 a.m.

Heavy fighting is now proceeding in Hongkew and Pootung.

There is little aerial activity this morning. Since the early morning raid, Chinese planes have been inactive and not more than one or two Japan- ese machines have taken the air owing to bad wea- ther conditions.

The cannonade from the vicinity of Hongkew Park, where the Japanese have installed heavy bat- teries has been intensifying hour by hour, sugges- tive to observers from Settlement skyscrapers that a fierce Chinese onslaught is at its height.

Japanese have destroyed streets of houses in the area of the Park to increase the effectiveness of their artillery.

Japanese warships are heavily shelling the Chinese positions in Pootung. Our Own Corres- pondent..

ATTEMPT TO LAND their landing parties there but fail-

Nangchow, To-day,

ed-Da-Dao.

Moscow, To-day. The French Minister of Health, Bucart, has arrived Kieff,

About 300 Japanese marines at- tempted to land at Chapu this morning but could not withstand the Chinese machine gun fire and were nearly completely annihilated, where he will pay a visit of in- A Japanese warship lying near spection to the famous children's Wenchow also attempted to land hospital Trans-Ocean.

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