1932-02-01 — Page 9

HONG KONG DAILY PRESS. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 1932.

Fighting In Shanghai

Shanghai Resumed

FIERCE BATTLE AGAIN RAGING

FAILURE OF PEACE CONFERENCE

JAPAN WILL TAKE NO RISKS

BRITISH GENERAL REFUSES JAPAN'S

PROPOSALS

CHAPEI FIRE CAUSES £1,000,000 DAMAGE; SZECHUEN

ROAD NOW BLAZING

H

THROUGH REUTER'S "AGENCY.]

OPES that the truce might continue throughout the night were shattered when several hours of quiet was broken shortly after eleven p.m. with rifle shots followed by fire from machine-guns in the northern district."

45

The shooting increased steadily in volume and now a fierce battle is again raging.

TH

CHINESE FLOCK INTO SETTLEMENT

[FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

SHANGHAI, JAJuary 31,

HE STREETS OF SHANGHAI PRESENTED AN AMAZING SCENE ON SUNDAY.

EVERY THOROUGHFARE 'WAS ALIVE WITH A STEADY STREAM OF PEOPLE TRANSPORTING THEIR PERSONAL CHATTELS.

CHINESE FLOCKED IN BY THOUSANDS FROM EVERY NATIVE SURROUNDING DISTRICT, WHICH SEEMED TO BE EMPTYING ITS POPULACE INTO THE" FOREIGN SETTLEMENT.

MOTOR TRUCKS, TRAPS, CARRIAGES, WHEEL BARROWS, RICKSHAWS, BICYCLES. AND ANYTHING ON WHEELS BEING REQUISITIONED. IT WAS AN EXTRAORDINARY DEMONSTRATION OF THE INSTINCT OF SELF PRESERVATION."

ACROSS THE RIVER AT WHANGPOO FUGITIVES SAILED IN EVERY TYPE OF FLOATING CRAFT, GOING THEY KNEW NOT WHERE SO LONG AS THEY ESCARED “ THE DOONED AREAS, THUS' DEMONSTRATING, ONCE MORE, THE VALUE OF THE FOREIGN SETTLEMENT AS A HAVEN OF REFUGE IN A TIME OF STORM AND STRESS. THE UNENDING STREAM OF HUMANITY CONTINUED FOR MANY HOURS. JAPANESE ALL ORDERED TO HONGKEW AREA

طریر

J

[TRROTOH REUTER'S AGENCT.]

4

SHANGHAI, January 31. THIS AFTERNOON ALL JAPANESE RESIDENTS IN THAT SECTION OF THE SETTLEMENT THAT FOREIGN FORCES ARE. GUARDING RECEIVED ORDERS TO WITHDRAW TỔ THE HONGKEW AREA WHICH THE JAPANESE ARE HOLDING. EVEN JAPANESE CORRESPONDENTS OPERATING IN THE SETTLEMENT WERE INCLUDED · IN THIS ORDER, THE REASON FOR WHICH IS NOT KNOWN,

41

SNIPING STARTED AGAIN AT 4.45 P.M. IN THE SETTLEMENT AND THE FRENCH - CONCESSION.

CHINESE TERMS REFUSED BY JAPANESE

SHANGHAI, January ́31.

THE PEACE CONFERENCE WHICH WAS HELD AT THE BRITISH CONSULATE BROKE UP AT 3.45 P.M,

IN REPLY TO QUESTIONS MEMBERS OF THE CONFERENCE SAID: THE TRUCE WILL CONTINUE." IT 15 UNDERSTOOD THAT AT THIS MORNING'S SITTING THE PROPOSAL THAT THE CHINESE SHOULD WITHDRAW TO 2.000 METRES FROM THEIR POSITIONS WAS ACCEPTED BY THE CHINESE BUT REFUSED BY THE JAPANESE UN. LESS THE INTERVENING AREA WAS OCCUPIED AND PATROLLED BY BRITISH AND AMERICAN TROOPS.·

AT THIS AFTERNOON'S SITTING BRIG..GENERAL FLEMING DEMONSTRATED HOW THE PROPOSAL WAS IMPOSSIBLE FROM A MILITARY VIEWPOINT OWING TO THE FACT THAT THE JAPANESE WOULD. CONTINUE TO OCCUPY THE ONLY THOR. OUGHFARE IN THIS AREA AND REFUSED TO HAND IT OVER, THUS LEAVING FOR BRITISH AND AMERICAN FORCES THE PATROLLING OF THE RABBIT WARREN DWELLINGS WHICH ARE FULL OF ACTIVE SNIPERS.

NEXT, THE CHINESE OFFERED TO WITHDRAW ALL THEIR ARTILLERY PRO. VIDED THE JAPANESE UNDERTOOK NOT TO USE BOMBING 'PLANES TO WHICH THE JAPANESE, ADMIRAL. REFUSED..

THE CONFERENCE BROKE UP LEAVING THIS OMINOUS TRUCE TO CONTINUE "UNTIL SOMEBODY. BREAKS IT."

NANKING, January 91.

THERE ARE NINE FOREIGN WARSHIPS NOW LYING OFF NANKING. THEY CONSIST OF: JAPANESE SEVEN, BRITISH ONE, AMERICAN ONE AND CHINESE TWO.

SNIPERS AGAIN. BUSY

·Suasanai, January 31. SNIPERS HAVE BEEN BUSY IN VARIOUS PARTS OF THE SETTLEMENT AND TER FRENCH CONCESSION THIS AFTERNOON.

MANY RESIDENTS FROM OUTLYING DISTRICTS WHO HAD COME IN TO THE CATHAY HOTEL FOR SAFETY WERE STARTED "WHEN SNIPERS" BULLETS SPLATTERED ON THE HOTEL" WALLS THIS AFTERNOON. HOWEVER, THE MUNI. CIPAL POLICE HAVE INCREASED THEIR VIGILANCE AND THE TROUBLE IS NOT SPREADING.

A JAPANESE WARSHIP LYING IN THE RIVER OFF. THE BUND OPENED FIRE WITH A MACHINE GUN UPON GARDEN BRIDGE, WHICH CONNECTS THE HONGKEW DISTRICT WITH THE SETTLEMENT, ON THE PRETEXT THAT, THE BRIDGE WAS HIDING SNIPERS.

+

BULLETS FROM THE WARSHIP KILLED THREE CHINESE REFUGEES WHO WERE ENTERING THE SETTLEMENT.

(Continued at fout of next column,)

LORD READING

NOW OUT OF DANGER

CAIRO, Jan. 29.

Lord' Rehding, who has bean, ill, i here for some little while, and whore condition of health, at one time, gave rise to some anxiety, is now reported to be out of danger.

JAPANESE CONTROL HÖNGKEW

SHANGHAI, January 34.

The Japanese have taken, over complete control of the Hong- kew area of the International Settlement, from Soochow Creek

northward.

The functions of the Municipal Police have been largely usurped by Japanese plain clothes," reservists," who are wearing, brasa. ards and are armed with revolvers, bayonets, sword-sticks and even tomahawks, and who hold up all motor-cars and pedestrians,

A Chinese chauffeur from a 'garage, who was going home, and who had ran away po account of being frightened by a patrol was shot dead, Several others have been killed under the possibility. of being gality of suiping. À number of Chinese have been injuri ed and at least two foreigners were beaten up, for interfering with the treatment of Chinese,

Japanese"reservists' activities are being extended westward' of "Soochow Creek,

U.S. Marines arrested twenty-seven armed Japanese - reservists on their sector, while the Japanese Marines, have 'established a

· sandbag post in Robinson Rond and in the Jessield Area.

£1,000,000 DAMAGE

t

Skaparat, January 31. Friday's huge confiagrations in Chapel have died, down after the destruction of over a thousand keuses, a number of warehouses and factories. The damage amounts, to more than £1,000,000, But another huge block In North Szechuen Road including the Odeon Cinema, The Kwangtung Theatre and several palatint Chi nese residences were gutted last night.

Chinese eye-witnesses assert that the fire was started by Japanese Marines with kerosene, to which the Japanese Consul. General replied: “Should such be the case it was intended to wipe out snipers who have proved such deadly menace to our soldiers."

Eight Stoke's Mortar shells, apparently fired by Chinese troops. in the North. Station, fell in the Settlement yesterday, with the result that one Chinese was killed and one Japanese volunteer wounded, while in addition a Portuguese youths was slightly wound. ed by shrapnel and a dorca persoas injured by stray bullets:

So far there is no British casanity.

A PEACE CONFERENCE

"A peace conference between the Japanese and Chinese, at which the British and American Consuls were “present, sat this morning. It broke up at 12.35 p.m, and is resuming at 3 p.m.. with. Brigadier General. Fleming also attending.

British Consular officers when interviewed by Reuter indicated that there is a possibility of an arrangement being evolved by which the Japanese troops will withdraw to their origiünk positions and the Chinese forces to a radins 2,096 metres from the Settle- meat, but that the situation is still regarded as most grave.

Incessant sniping continues along the border of the Settlement beyoad Soochow Creek,

JAPANESE "REMOVE DEAD SAILORS AND MARINES

It is reliably learned, that seventeen truck loads of Japanese dead marines and sailors were removed from the fighting: aran ta the dock.

Teeming Chinese crowds are still pouring in to the Settlement from the Hongkew district and the streets are a wild scene of com. tusion.

Special police patrols, with drawn, revolvers, are assisting the Municipal Police, who are working desperately to maintain order in the congested streets through which ambulances and fre en- gines are making their way to various parts of the Settlement.

SEAT OF GOVERNMENT REMOVED

NANKING, January 31.

"

At 3 o'clock this morning the National Government issued an Dicial statement announcing that the seat of the Government iső being temporarily transferred to Layang (Honantu), in the Honaa Province.

The statement recapitulates the Shanghai developments und expresses the belief that it is the Japanese intention to force the Chinese Government into submission by armed force. However, " the Chiness Government will take all the necessary measures for self-defence and urge other Powers to carry out their treaty obligations..

It also expresses confidence that the Powers cannot sit down and watch humanity and justice being trampled on.

General Ho Ping Ching, the Minister for War, has been lett to carry on here and defend the alty from any attack. Tho Foreign Minister,. Lo Wen. Kan, has also been left to carry on the Foreign Office at Nanking.

•

CURFEW IN SHANGHAI

+[

The Settlement Municipal Council this afternoon decided to ealorca curfew between 10 p.ai, and 4 a.m. from Monday night.

Emergency committees appointed by the Council report, that the. Settlement has a good supply of food, that meat supplies aro. guare anteed and there, is enough rice to supply all Chinese in the. Settlement for two weeks and that, vegetables are still coming in from the country in good quantities, while markets are well.sup plied.

The Council has an adequate number of Volunteers for emer gency work.

(Continued on page 12).

FURTHER FIGHTING NEAR

HARBIN

21 JAPANESE KILLED: 38 INJURED

JAPANESE TROOPS USE CHINEST EASTERN RAILWAY

[YBROUGH, REUTER'S AGENCY.],

Tokyo, January 31,

A Japanese force clashed with Thng Chao's troops in the neigh bourhood of Harbin at dawn this morning, the Japanese sufferbag 21 killed and 38 injured.

It is learned that the transportation of the Japanese troops to Harbin was finally facilitated as a result of the Soviet agreeing to the use of the Southern Section of the Chinese Eastern Railway. according to despatches from Mukden.

MANCHURIAN COMMISSION.

Geneva, Jatuary 31- Lord Lytton has proposed that the members of the Manchurian Commission use the trans-Siberian Railway to enable them to reach the Far East 10 to 14 days eariler than by the Atlantic and Pacific routes.

JAPANESE TROOPS EVACUATE CHINSI

TIMETRIN, Jan. 3. Upon their departure a party of An official communiqué states: Chinese regulars have talion up con- that the Japanese troops Chinsi,trol of the city No fighting of the west of Chinchow, have significance occurred in the past two voluntarily evacuated and are mov-days at Chinchow and in surrounde ing towards the railway zone. I ing districte.

to

SUBMARINE M.2 MUST BE FOUND

LATEST ADMIRALTY

ORDER

{THROUGH REUTER'S AGENCY.}

UNITY AT LAST

PEI CHUNG HSI'S APPEAL

(Wah Tate Yet Puo)

CANTON, Jan, 3 The Shanghai crisis is automatic- LONDON, Jan. 31. ally calling forth support for tho "That submarine M.2 must be Central Government from alf parts, found at all cont," is the latest of the country. Circular telegrwos. Admiralty instruction concerning issued by military and civil leaders the search for the sunken vessel. and also popular bodies in south-ig Every square mile of West Bay, western China urging the concaue Portsmouth, has been dragged for tration of all available resources, of) obstructions and the number found the country, and offering their r marked. They will all be inspective shares of assistence, agnina-- vestigated.

Japan, ara, running into hundredzi. in number.

JAPAN'S VIEW OF SITUATION

(TBROVON BEUTER'S AQINOX,] "

Tokyo, January at "UNLESS THE CHINESE STOP REINFORCEMENTS OR WITHDRAW TO A SAFE

·DISTANCE. NOT ONLY WILL THE POSITION OF JAPNESE MARINES BUT ALSO THE INTERNATIONAL SETTLEMENT ITSELF BE EXPOSED TO DANGER OF THE GRAV. EST NATURE." SOLEMNLY DECLARED MR. YOSHIZAWA WHEN TELLING FOREIGN CORRESPONDENTS THE GIST OF HIS CONVERSATION WITH THE BRITISH, AMERICAN AND FRENCH AMBASSADORS, WHOM HE SUMMONED TO THE FOREIGN OFFICE THIS AFTERNOON FOR THE PURPOSE OF REMOVING MISAPPREHENSIONS" AND MISUNDERSTANDINGS, AND REQUESTING THEM TO ASK THEIR RESPECTIVE GOVERNMENTS TO TAKE UP THE MATTER AND TO USE THEIR INFLUENCE TO PER SUADE THE CHINESE TO WITHDRAW.

EMPHASISING THE JMMINENT DANGER. MR. YOSHIZAWA DECLARED, THAT THE ONLY HOPE OF AVERTING IT IS THAT THE CHINESE ACCEDE TO BRITISH, AMERICAN AND FRENCH JOINT PRESSURE TO WITHDRAW.

CONCLUDING, MR, YOSHIZAWA STATED THAT THE AMBASSADORS' HAD VERR. ALLY COMMUNICATED THE VIEWS OF THEIR RESPECTIVE GOVERNMENTS BUT THE COMMUNICATIONS WERE REPRESENTATIONS AND NOT PROTESTS. MOREOVER._ THEY WERE NOT IDENTIC, ON THE CONTRAHY ALL HAD APPROACHED THE QUES TION FROM DIFFERENT ANGLES.

· ME YOSHIZAWA, "WHO MADE NOʻATTEMPT TO DONOWAL HIS ANXIETY, PRE. FIXED HIS WARNING WITH A 'CHRONOLOGICAL HARRATION OF THE MAIN DEVELOP MENTE SINCE JANUARY 21. HE ASSERTED THAT BOTH THE INITIAL CLASH, ON JANUARY 28. WITH VIOLATION OF THE TRUUX OF JANUARY 20, WERE FRECIPITÁTED BY THE URINESE- OPENING FIRE,

STATING THAT REPORTS INDICATED THAT CHIANG KAT SHEK IS" CONGEN=\" TEATING 30,000 TROOPS IN THE VICINITY OF SHANGHAI, AND HAS ORDELED TOUR SQUADRONS OF AIBORAIZ TO PROCEED TO 800CHÓW AND IS PLANNING TO LUNCH AN OFFENSIVE AS SOON AS REINFORCEMENTS HAVE ARRIVED, MR. TOSHI- ZAWA DECLARED THAT JAPAN WAS OBLIGED TO CONSIDER WHAT STEPS THE GOULD TAKE TO COPE WITH THE EMERGENCY.

THE ARMY WILL PROBABLY BE COMPELLED TO DESPATCH TROOPS IF THE "POWERS TAIL TO INDUOR TEK CHINESE TO WITHDRAW, AS JAPAN IS NOT PREPAR

ED TO RISK THE ANNIHILIATION OF HIE:MABIKES, HE STATED,

AN

JAPAN WILL WELCOME THE APPOINTMENT OF A LEAGUE COMMISSION TO INVESTIGATE AT SHANGHAI AS SHE WANTS THE LEAQUE TO SEE THE TRUE POST: TION, DECLARED A FOREIGN OFFICE SPOKESMAN, THOUGH HE INTIMATED THAT JAPAN WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO RECOGNISE ANY BINDING FORCE OF THE RECOM-" MENDATIONS,

Significance is attached to statement contained in the xiroulema telegram issued by General Poi Chung Hsi, the Kwangsi Ipadors from Kwangsi. He appealed to the people in very touching tope saying that the present national crisis was the gravest ono overcro corded in the Chinese annals, be causą Japna's plan, behind her lif vasion, affected the foundations the country.

درازه

He declared that the Kwangal Government, and people wore, rendy to place themselves as the service of the Central Government”in' reu sisting the Japanese.

The Swatow Crisis.

SWATOW, Jan 30 The situation is very serious hora ag-a-result of the Shanghai crisis, The more stringent the anti Japanese boycott, becomes the mora strong is the Japanese, prove against it. The Japanese author ties threaten to take direct actions if the Swatow authorities, fail to stop the boycott agation N

The seriousness of the situation is indicated by the fact that meny local import and export firms hav wired to Hong Kong Advising Hong Kong merchants to suspend Stading further consignment mods to Swatow pending the Im provement of the situation

A number of Japanese warshly? lying in Bwatow harbour ha demonstration last night repeated ly thooting into the air, (far details of the Swatow) ntual are given on age, in leb from our correspondent)