1937-12-11 — Page 24

$24

"HANDS OFF" CUSTOMS: JAPAN DEMAND

Shanghai, To-day.

Reviewing the issues involved in the current Chinese Customs pro- blem, the Shanghai "United News, the Japanese newspaper, advises third parties to exercise a hands- off policy in the matter.

FATE OF

OF NANKING HANGING IN BALANCE

FIGHT

(Continued from Page 1)

ral Matsui, who added "I highly appreciate the successful attainment of

your difficult task.”

Japanese sources state that seven other bodies of Japanese troops, with large number of tanks, are now attempting to force their way into

the city from north, east and south.

UNTO DEATH

THE CHINA MAIL DECE

Hankow, To-day. Not a single Chinese soldier sur- vived, the action fought around the aerodrome outside Nanking.

The first Japanese column to en- ter the city was driven back by a desperate rush after the invaders had lost hundreds of men and six tanks.*

General Tang Sheng-shih, the Chinese commander, was yester- day personally directing opera tions in the firing line-Trans-

Ocean.

WAY OF RETREAT The way of retreat was still open The journal asserts that it is clearly understood abroad that to the defenders across the Yangtse Japan is negotiating with the last night, but unless they slipped the Taiping Gate and late last night, Customs, which is an organ of out during the night, Nanking is finally entered the walls through the the Chinese Government, but not expected to be a death trap for them Hooping Gate, north-east of Nan- with third parties, regarding con- to-day, when Japanese aeroplanes re- king trol of the Customs..

sume activity.

The Chinese fought bravely and Any attempt by persons of other Chinese circles admit that further resisted stubbornly, but the continu- nationalities whatever their post- defence of the city will have to lous rain of bombs, some of which tions, at interference in negotia military value, but is important as a were 500-pounders, forced them to tions now proceeding between Ja- symbol of China's will to resist. give ground pan and the Customs authorities, They assert that the loss of Nan- "should be flatly rejected by the Ja- king, like loss of Shanghai, will mark panese."

only a phase of the war-Reuter.

“UNFRIENDLY ACTS” › Japan, however, is not disre- garding the interests and rested rights of third parties.

JAPANESE BRIGADE WIPED

OUT

South-east of Nanking, the Ya- mada, Yamasaki and the Yamamoto Brigades, after fighting the whole afternoon and evening in fighting during which one of the brigades was almost wiped out, they occu- pied the Tungchi Gate.

BEATING THE GUN

Shanghai, To-day Beating the gun as usual, a local The newspaper adds: “Viewed in Japanese paper last night amounced this light, we cannot but consider the "capture" of Nanking-Trans- any move taken by third parties in Ocean. interfering with Sino-Japanese ne- gotiations or exerting illegal pres- The Ono, Sukigawa, Noda and caused also the fall of the Chung- sure on the Customs authorities in the Katagiri Brigades proceeding wah Gate, south of Nanking, which order to protect their own interests from the Tsekingshen and Chung was entered by the Yasagawa, Taki- and vested rights, as an unfriendly shanling areas, east of Nanking, shida and the Okamoto Brigades. act towards Japan."-Reuter. after an attack six hours, occupied

TAIPINGMEN ENTERED

It's * CHRISTMAS

in

CENTER

floor full of delight awaits the inspection of every boy and girl

a dazzling array of

toys for children of every age.

COME, HURRY

CHINA EMPORIUM

FOR CHRISTMAS TOYS

The fall of the Tungchi Gate

Shelled and bombed for several hours, the Chinese troops defending the Chung Shan Gate were also forced to retire into the Capital This gate was occupied by the Huji and the "Hitome Brigades.

ALL GATES SEIZED All gates north, east and south of the Capital are now controlled by Japanese troops.

· According to the authoritative report received this morning, the Japanese are virtually stalemated by the machine-gun nests in the streets of the capital

More severe losses have been suffered within the walls than in the storming of the gates.

Every street in the fighting zone is strewn with the bodies of thou- sands of troops, killed in action.

COMPANIES BLOWN UP

STOP PRESS

TEL 20022 or 33993

The German liner Prussen is standing by the President Hoover and may take off her passengers as a matter of con- venience.

The Empress of Asia on her way to Kobe from Hong Kong at 8 am this morning was 250 miles from the Hoover and is proceeding to the spot to give assistance.

It is now reported that the Hoover is being pounded heavily.

It has not yet been decided whether a tug will be sent from Hong Kong, but arrange-

one if necessary. ments have been made to send

Hankow, To-day.

News from Nanking is ing in only intermittently, but it seems that the Japanese are still fighting on the outskirts inside the walls and have by no means penetrated into the centre of the city.-Trans-Ocean.

London, To-day. Salvage work in the Castlecary. railway disaster is being hin dered by a fire which broke out

The exploding of land mines laid in the wreckage at midnight- have brought disaster to whole companies of Japanese troops. Bombs are still raining on Capital

the

The City was illuminated throughout the night by great fires raging everywhere. Our Own Cor- respondent.

COSTLY JAPANESE PROGRESS

Hankow, To-day-

The Battle of Nanking, which opened at 130 yesterday afternoon! has developed into the severest: trial of strength between Japanese! and Chinese forces since the out- break of hostilities.

It appears certain from informa- tion reaching Hankow that the Chinese forces entrusted with the task of defending the capital are putting up a great effort and will fight on to the bitter end

Fierce fighting is going on. It is admitted that the Japanese having captured Pankiaochen and Inshan- chen only at a very heavy cost.

Every phase of the battle is be- ing followed by neutral observ here with the clos Trans-Ocean:

G.MT., necessitating the calling of the Fire Brigade in order to prevent the burning, of bodies. At midnight, 24 bodies had been taken out and sent to the mortuary and it was believed that at least eight more were still in the wreckage. Reuter.

NEWS FLASHES

NAVAL BATTLE The only rezi naval battle for which excursion boats sold “ringside seats" took place in the English Charmel on Inne 19, 1864. The American Union ship Kearsarge attacked the confederate cruiser Alabama dock- ed at Cherborng, France. ROYAL typewriters report from “ring- side seats" all battles for sup