1937-12-09 — Page 11

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,