1937-10-29 — Page 7

THE CHINA MAIL, OCTOBER 1937

GREAT CHAPEI FIRE NOW DYING DOWN Foreigner's Tour Of Devastated District

AIR OF DOOM HANGING OVER LIKE SHROUD

HUNDREDS OF DEAD

IN RUINS OF NORTH STATION

Shanghai, To-day.

The tremendous sheet of flame and smoke into which Chapei was plunged by the withdrawing Chinese troops is now practically extinguished, and earlier fears of the huge conflagration spread- ing to the International Settlement have subsided. However, a Trans-Ocean representative who made a tour of the area yesterday, saw that con- siderable danger still exists to the Japanese there owing to the large quantity of unexploded ammuni- tion and hand grenades which are lying about.

When the Trans-Ocean-representative toured Chapei, what struck him most was the air of doom which hung over the whole area like a shroud.

All that broke the silence was the crackling of flames and the occasional caving in of a wall.

Although Chapel had been shelled! by the Japanese for weeks, it was noticeable that there were remark- ably few shell holes in the streets.

The formidable nature of the de- fences established by the Chinese between Chapel and Hongkew is still largely recognisable, and it is highly improbable that the Japanese could ever have succeeded by 2 frontal attack in taking the labrynth of narrow barricaded lanes, in which every house was a miniature fort.

NORTH STATION SHAMBLES

PLEA TO AVERT

VAIN SACRIFICE

OF CHAPEI

HEROES

Shanghai, To-day.

The whole of China is watching with admiration the epic stand of The North Station, which was the scene of exceptionally heavy fighting, the doomed 500 Chinese soldiers bas been entirely destroyed. Mingl-who are still holding out in Chapei, ed with the ruins are the shattered choosing to die fighting although bodies of Chinese soldiers and hundreds of Japanese bluejackets they have been offered the sanc- and soldiers, most of the latter hav-tuary of the Settlement. ing met their death from machine- The doomed men are holding a gun bullets.

group of buildings in North Soo- chow Road, directly opposite and Only a relatively small number of in full view of the Royal Welsh Japanese troops have been left be-

Fusiliers, who have already ac- hind in Chapei, the bulk of the cepted and mailed farewell mes- invaders having advanced in a wes- sages to the families and sweet- terly direction in view of the new hearts of the heroic Chinese bat- Japanese offensive, which has as yet not started. Trans-Ocean.

talion

Meanwhile numerous appeals," including at least two from high foreign military commanders, are being made to General Chiang Kai-

JAPANESE BOMB shek, urging him to command the

LIUHO LINES

Shanghai, To-day. Shortly before dawn this morning the Chinese defence line at Liuho was attacked by several Japanese planes. They were, however, met with fire from A. A guns, which brought into action quickly kept them out of effective range.Our

Own Correspondent

battalion to retire while there is still a chance of it being

saved from destruction-Beuter.

FAIR WEATHER

The Royal Observatory reported this morning that the anti-cyclone remains in the Pacific to the south- east of Japan and another is de veloping over Manch

Local forecast derate; fair

HITLER IN

IMPORTANT CONFERENCES

Berlin, To-day.

The German Ambassador to General Franco's Government came to Berlin and conferred with Herr Hitler for three hours on Wednesday.

They held another long confer- ence yesterday. -Reuter

JUNK

JUNK INQUIRY REPORT PUBLICATION

The "China Mail" was official- ly informed this morning that the Report of the Commission appointed to investigate the al- leged submarine junk massacre at Cheelung Point has been ten- dered to Government.

ULSTERS IN GALLANT RESCUE WORK

Shanghai, To-day.

The humanity of British troops who risked their lives to help Chi- ese refugees from the fighting zone and in giving first aid to the wounded, has created a very d impression.

The Mayor of Greater Shanghai, Mr. 0. K. Yui, speaking to repre sentatives of the world press this morning, said that the whole Chinese-community in Shanghai joined in thanks, which he also ex- tended to the United States- Mar- ines and the Italian Savoy Grena- diers.

Instances of the gallantry of these troops were too frequent to mention, but a typical case occur- red yesterday when eight men of the Royal Ulster Rifles, seeing fifteen Chinese women and chil- dren trying of cross the damaged Jessfield Bridge, went to their help in spite of machine-gun fire. from the Japanese.

Taking their lives in their hands, The question of local publica-the Tommies rescued the whole tion, in advance of the arrival of party, except for a woman who was the Report in England, has been fatally wounded by Japanese fire. referred by cable to the Secret Several Chinese children who had tary of State for the Colonies for been wounded, were carried back to decision.

Isafety by the Ulsters--Reuter.

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