HONG KONG DAILY PRESS TUESDAY, FEBRUARY
Fighting Resumed at Shanghai
HEAVY BOMBARDMENT OF WOOSUNG
FORT
CHINESE TROOPS HOLD THEIR POSITIONS
NO FURTHER BRITISH REPRESENTATIONS
AT PRESENT
(TRADUR ARUTER'S AGENCY.]
SHANGHAI, Feb. 8, 10.48 p.m.
AFTER A QUIET DAY A THUNDERING BOMBARDMENT
OPENED. SHORTLY AFTER DUSK THIS EVENING. THE SHANGHAI VOLUNTEER OUTPOSTS REPORTITG THAT IT WAS THE HEAVIEST FIRING THEY HAD HEARD SINCH HOSTILITIES COMMENCED TEN DAYS AGO.
THE INCESSANT ROAR OF ARTILLERY AND THE RATTLE OF MACHINE-GUNS LASTED THREE HOURS, AFTER WHICH THE ENGAGEMENT MOVED NORTH EASTERLY FROM CHAPEI RAILWAY STATION. INDICAT ING THE CHINESE WERE DRIVING, THE JAPANESE.
INTERVIEW WITH VICE-ADMIRAL NOMURA
SHANGHAI, February B. Woosung City and Fort are still stubbornly held by Chinese troops after to-day's severe ighting with Japanese troops sup. ported by armoured cars and destroyers, moored as close as pos sible to the river bank, relentlessly and tirelessly pouring in shells.
Vice Admiral Nomura, when interviewed this evening, aboard his fagship Izumo, a grim-looking dark-grey cruiser, said: "In lew of the special character of the city of Shanghai 1 will do my best to prevent further trouble and settle the matter as quickly an possible,"
Tall for a Japanese, Vice Admiral Nomura is a stout and well bullt man with very closely cropped grey hair. Wearing a plain dark blue uniform and standing behind him was Rear Admiral Shlosawa, who is short heavy man. He answered several ques" flops non-committally, and laughed heartily at everything, «
He said that the Japanese forces were merely intended to pro- tect Japanese lives" and property. "When the Chinese retire to a safe distance," he said, with a wave of a band, then everything. will be over.””
'LEAGUE POWERLESS TO FACE FAR
EASTERN TROUBLES”.
LONDON, Feb. 8.
Resignation and tinged hope de- seribes the attitude of those in authority who are most disappoint- ed at the failure of the Anglo-" American proposals.
TROOPS ADVANCE ON KIANGWAN
SHANGHAI, Feb. 7, 8,28 p.m.
JAPAN'S SOLUTION OF THE CHINA PROBLEM
DEMILITARISED ZONES SUGGESTED
PLAN TO OUST CHINESE WAR LORDS
(THROUGH BEUTEL'Y AGENCY.]
DISARMAMENT
1932.
CONFERENCE
SIR JOHN SIMON PRESENTS BRITISH PROPOSALS
【THROUGH NEUTER'S AGENCYL]
GENEVA, Feb. 8 The abolition of submarines, the abolition of ge and chemical wars fare and conscription; also a reduo: tion in, the size of warships; roduction of the maximum gun onlibre; prohibition of land guns above a certain calibre and the establishment of a permanent dis armement
KSENILEGİON were the chief points of the British dianamu- ment programme presented by Bir John Simon at the opening of the general debate at the Disarmament. Conference.
Sir John and that Britain was: of the opinion thas the Conference should frame a general convention. based and continued on the opera tion of the Washington and London
Around the principal cities would strike a blow at the whe lords who, he said, are the main cause of the instability of China, as they would be unable to exist if their activities were confined to the country dis-Treaties. tricts instead of being enabled tö batten on to cities as they are at present,
The chief beneficiaries, therefore, would be the Chinese merchants who would be able to carry on their business undisturbed.
Sir Jaha stressed the necessity for an International agreement in order to effectively ensure that the limitations were "nos overstepped, by making known cases of trans- gression with a view to bringing effective world pressure "on the wrong-doer..
Toro, Feb. 8. What is frankly admitted to be feelers aiming at a permanent solu. tion of the Shanghai problem in particular, and the China problem in general, were put outs on the Foreign Cleo this morning,
Briefly, the proposal in the estab lishment of demilitarised zomes, Afteen to twenty miles in width around the principal trading ports. notably, Shanghai, Haakow, Tien trin, Canton and Tsingtao; while Manchuria would also be demili tarised; though a portion of the better disciplined, Chinese troops would be utilised as polico..
The Foreign Office spokesman gramine rather than a political"}
France is likewise ready to the spokesman while outlining the proposal ad, ono,"
thought pledge herself unconditionally to a might. mitted that, it runs counter to the China
be indiped to reduction of armaments for a limit
ed period and proposes the League idene formulated at the Washing-agree if the Powers offered to give dispose three pategories of forces, ton Conference, which aimed at up extrality in all parts of China, the military, naval and air forces providing a stable government in except in the Ave demilitarised furnished by contributions from participating states; "our one ex- China by a policy of non-interfer- cities, ence from outside; but a ten
ception is in the event of legitimate The Powers have not yet been defence when sheer fingrans attack years trial has proved the in- effectiveness of this policy, and sounded oficially, stated the is evident." appears to have shown that the spokesman, but Japanese diploma. only way to attain the desired retic representatives abroad have sult in to substitute a policy of in-been instructed to seek a suitable terference which would ultimately occasion to broach the idea, either benefit Ching, especially the mer officially or unofficially. chant class, even more than it would benefit the Powers, though beth would profit.
M. Tardieu said France is con- While recognising that it would vinced that, peace cannot be assur- be necessary Brat to crystalline ad until the League is strengthen- endow public opinion "abroad for what is ed, therefore proposes to
the Covenant with the necessary characterised as a "moral profanoes.
It is learned that nine hundrePact, but na approach from dif.drawn as soon as the immediate Japanese troops, part of the adferent angle and to supersede the
Pact
RUMOUR OF PLOT TO
"KILL M. LITVINOFF
GROUP OF MURDERERS FORMED AT PARIS
(Reuter's Special Service.)
Referring to the proposal to de militarise the city tones, the For eign Offee spokesman emphasised The proposal, which is likely to be broached formally at an Inter that there is no intention of retai national Conference to settle the Japanese troops in the Shang- present Shanghai dispute would, hai area til agreement thereon is reached. Also asserting that therefore, it is claimed, have the Japanese troops would be with-
the Nine-Power object as SAMO
object--the safeguarding of Japan.
BERNE, Feb. 8. Eves C#e
and interests --- was. achieved: and: the void any rumour that Russian White. extention of the fighting. He also Guards a preparing an attempt declared that Japan has no inten- on the life of M. Litvinod, who is Further explaining the proposal,tion of seeking the establishment at present attending the Disarma- # Заралеве Concession ment Conference; is ourront here.. the Shanghai-Woosung Railway to the spokesman emphasised that the of
zones Shanghai..
As a result of a telegram from Kiangwan, three miles from North creation of demilitarised
Moscow, Sir Eric Drummond, de- Station, which is believed to hel
clared that the Soviet had received their first main objective.
authentic information that Russian emigrants in Paris had organised a group of murderers with instruc tions to kill the Soviet delegate within four days. ·
It is learned the British Govern-vance guard of the Mixed Brigade mant agrees that no useful purpose from Japan, disembarked at the can be served by further, repre Yangtaze Estuary beyond Woosung sentations to China and Japan at to-day and are advancing along the moment.
The American. Government's adoption of a similar attitude is believed to be due to a feeding at the White House that the State Department went too farby initiating diplomatic representa tions to China and Japan with foreign co-operation.
French reaction to the dispute is most luminating, prominent Nationalist organs pointing out that China is a typical example of a nation disarming before ensur ing its own security and restoring to arbitration to save face.
On
the contrary Japan is hailed as an element of peace and order, while M. Poincare comments that it is a "melancholy confession of the League's powerlessness to face the Far Eastern troubles.*!
TO CREATE CLOSER LIAISON
Toxvo, Feb. 9. For the purpose of creating closer liaison with local representatives of
Mr. foreign Powers,
Yoanke "Matino, ex-Vice-President of the South Manchuria Railway; is PM- ceeding to Shanghai shortly as the personal representative of Mr. Inukai and Mr. Yoshizawa.
"Before leaving Mr. Matsuoka will confer with the British, American and French Ambassadors.
TO FINANCE SHANGHAI »
CAMPAIGN
Tonxe, Feb. 8. Subject to the Privy Council's sanction which is required for emergency financial measures, the Cabinet is understood to have agreed to the appropriation of Yen 10,000,000 to cover Naval and
Military expenditures at Shanghai til the end of the scal year, March 30.
It is expected this sum will be raised by the issue of honds. N.Y.K. SERVICE CURTAILED
: The Japanese troops appear to be definitely planning not to enter the International Settlement at all bu to operate solely from Chinese, ter ritory.
THE DAILY STRAFE CONTINUES
ง
SHANGHAI, 11.40 p.m. The Hongkew and Chapei battle area had a comparatively quiet day. dough the Japanese daily strafc" has been kept up continuously They are apparently waiting for the soldiers to reinforce the blu jackets before launching a further
offensive.
The Japanese airmen have taken arest to-day, but the sisery of the Chinese inhabitants of the battla area, those who still remain, has not been relieved for a steady snow- storm has been invading their shelf torn dwellings.
STRONG ATTACK, ON WOOSUNG VİLLAGE
SHANGHAI, Feb. 7, 6.30 p.m.
It is officially announced that a large body of troops, part of the Division of regular forces now un the way, landed at Woosung at 3.30 p.m...
A BLOW AT WAR LORDS
aided by the marines from Shupg hai, have succeeded in occupying Wonsung Vilage, but the Chinese Ang is still flying over Woosung Forts.
4
נו
LANCASHIRE REGIMENT FOR SHANGHAI
at
LONDON, Feb. 7. The War Office announces that the First Battalion of the East NEW PEACE PROPOSALS
Lancashire Regiment has been or BEING CONSIDERED dered to Shanghai to enable the
Scots Fusiliers to proceed home. LONDON, Feb. 7. The Sino-Japanese situation is LABOUR PARTY PROTEST given considerable prominence
LONDON, Feb. 7. the Sunday papera.
Mr. George Lansbury, the leader According to the Observer's New of the Parliamentary Labour Party, York correspondent a second penen has issued a statement to the Press proposal is now being negotiated by which may be summarised as fol-
the four Powers who originally dowa: took action.
I
in
The British Labour Party views It is understood that it will be
with indignation the Japanese the ready for presentation to Japanese and Chinese Governments violation of China's territorial inte as acon as a statement has been regrity, and urges, the workers of ceived from Japan regarding the every land to take much steps a
may be agreed by the great Powers withdrawal of the reinforcements.
AMERICAN NAVAĻ,
MOVEMENTS
[REUTER'S AMERICAN SERVICK]
to end the intolerable and illegal state of affairs in China.”
MANCHURIA CAMPAIGN
NAKKING, Feb. 7.. Voicing unanimous support of General Chiang Kai Shek, Marshals Chang Hauch Liang, Yen Haishan, Feng Yu Hsiang and General Ma Chan Shan, as well sa their subor dinate commanders, have, issued a
WASHINGTON, Feb. 7. The light craiser Rochester, the patrol gunboats Sacrabato and Ashoville, and the aircraft carrier, Router's special correspondent at Langley, have been ordered to re- Woosung reported at 4.45 p. that inforce the United States Fleet in circular telegram announcing their Japanese destroyers were heavily the, Far East, according to an au determination to resist the Japan shelling Woosung Village, prepara-nouncement issued by Admiral
ess armed, aggression." tory to the advance of the troops. Pratt, the Chief of Naval Opera-
Woosung Village is placed at the tions. confluence of the Woosung Creek and the Whangpog River and fiores battle is do progress,
The Japanese military are being assisted in the onslaught by moured cars which went down to Woosung from Shanghai this morn- ing.
When the Creek bridge was des. Broyed by the Chinese forces to prevent the armoured" pars from taking part in the actual attack on the village, they took-up-a-position on the south bank of Woong Creek
It is reported that while the Bir destroyers and six submarines Chinese Government! is determined which wore to have returned to to resist the Japanese forces in home waters on the arrival of the Shanghai, Chinese troops in North, Langley, will romain in the Far China are making preparations to East until the crisis in Shanghai advance into Jehol and towards has abated.
Shanghaikwan, in a determined effort to recover lost territory in Manchuria.
SENSATIONAL WASHING. TON REPORT
(THROUGH BEUTER'S AGHNUT.)
LONDON, Feb. 8.
and commenced to pour a hail at posed to wash its hands of the load into the village.
It is also reported that troops under Marshals Yon Hsi Shan, and Feng Yu Hsiang are entering Jehol via sifonkou Mountain Pass to
TORYO, Feb. 8. The NYK has announced that
The United States is now disreinforce the Jebol forces hig it has decided to suspend, tempor
Meanwhile, Chang Hsueh Liangʻs arily, the service between Toko
trouble in the Far East, according! forces are stated to be getting ready hama, Kobe and Shanghai owing to the conditions at Shanghai, The Chinese troops defending the to a massage from the Washington for action along the Peking-Mukden
Morning Railway. though the Nagasaki Line is still place are fighting splendidly wita correspondent of the being maintained, at least till the their backs to the wall, while the Post
JAPANESE CASUALTIES end of the month.
villagers, mostly poverty-stricken The correspondent says that the fisherfolk are fleeing into the gur American Administration does not
MurDx, Feb. 8. FRENCH REINFORCEMENTS runding country in a state of at present intend to send any fur It is officially stated that the
neute terror.
ther communication to the Japanese Japanese casualties during the (THROUGH NEUTER'S AGENCY.] "
or Chinese Government preferring gating on February 4 and 5, which CHINESE FLAC STILL its good ofices to facilitates a settle led to the occupation of Harbin, TIENTSIN, Feb. 8.
ment of the dispute. One company of French infantry j
FLYING
totalled 28 killed and 65 wounded. proecading to Changhai to
Still less does it propose to pro The wounded were rushed by morrow to reinforce the Franch
SHANGHAI, 8.28 p.m.. test at the developments or to garrison there. It is possible that The latest report from Woosung bring pressure (diplomatic, con planes to Changchun for treat two more companies will follow on states that all is quict. It is Baomie or any other) to bear upon the
Continued on Page 15.) February, 12.
lieved that the Japanese troops, Chinese or Japanese Governmenta.
ment.
Although exhaustive police en- quiries fail to reveal any evidence of such a plot, the Government' are taking all precautions.
יו -
UNREST IN URUGUAY
COMMUNIST PUTCH FEARED
(Reuter's Special Service.)
Mostavinso, Feb. 8. ̧ Troops and seroplanes are guard- ing the Uruguay-Brazil frontier to. prevent the smuggling of arms, and j to allay feare following intense Communist agitation,
The Nationalist leader, Saravia, has been arrested on suspicion of being in league with Communists, while “Rads" are being arrested and expelled from the country.
of leaders of all political parties at The President called a conference which he urged the necessity for a united front against Communists, stating that he feared that a Com- munist putch may be attempted to-morrow
RONALD COEMAN IN TROUBLE
CAUTIONED BY POLICE TO
OBSERVE THE LAW
OFFICIAL STATEMENT BY JAPANESE GOVERNMENT
"WHY JAPAN SENT TROOPS TO SHANGHAI
"The following statement was #Haued by the Government "to day" in explanation of the despatch of military forces to. China: -
It is the kommutable polloy of the Japanese Governinant to pusure by all mosna in their power the tranquility of the Far East and to contribola. to. the poucutul progress of the world. Unfortunately, in recent years laterzal discord and unsettled political con- dition, provailing in China, coupled with rampant anti-foreign agitation, bave given cause for serious conden to all other Powers, especially Japan, which bocsure of her geographical proximity and vast interests, has bean mado "to suffer in far greater degroo then any 'ather:
Acts of Violanos. " While the Japanuas Gorornaceus, in 'thoir solicitudo für neighbourly unity and International good understand, ing, haru sxorted every offers to maintain concillatory
*
attitudo, China, taking advantage of our moderation, has resorted to frequent infringement of our rights and in- terasts, to various ots of violence. towards
Japanese · positions, and to Intensifiastion of the vickaus) apti.
Japanasó movement, "which is without parallel alwhore, as it is under the direa and indirect guklance of the Nationalist Party, which is identified with the Nationalist Government itself.
It is in these circumstances that he Shanghai incident has broken out. It is similar to apmèross outrages änd insults that had previously been perpetrated at Taingtao, Fooshow, Canton,, Amoy and alsswhore, in that they are all characterized by Chinese contempt for Japan: and the Japaness and by acts of physioni. violonos. The Shanghai incident only happens to ba x. most. Aagran? GRAB.
On 9th: January last, the vorne. eular journal Minkuo" Daily," "Nows, published an article insulting the honour of
our Imperial House.. Shortly afterwards, on the 19th a party of Japanese priests and their companions, five persons in all, wera the subject of an inprovoked" attack by Chinoso desperadoes. As a remalt, three of the viktims were saveraly. wounded and one was, killed,
Japan's Tour: Demands. The shock of these events; waÐ BUČ- folent to explode strong and desp indignation felt by the Japanese "re- sidents of Shanghai, who had suffered for many years past, and had exercised' the utmost restraint in the face of Ineressing Chinese atrocities und afrontas
3
Noting the extreme gravity of the situation, the Japanese Consul General; under instructions from Hi Government, and in order to do a that was possible to present, by Joeni aolution of the question, any aggre: vation of the esso, presented to the
·Mayer of, Shanghai on January. 21° a set of four demands, including one for the dissolution of the Anti- Japanese Societies. At 'three o'clock, on the afternison, of January 28, the Mayor's reply, scceeding to the above demands, was received. The Japazono authorities, hoping that tension "might then relax, decided to wait and watch the performance of their promise..on the part of the Chiness. However, soldiers belonging to the 19th Army, then concentrated in the vicinity of Shanghai, began, for reasons connected with internal politics, to display signs of recalcitrance towards the Nanking suthorities and appeared to bo mak- ing hostile preparations in spita. of.. the Mayor's acceptanes" of our terms, thus creating news, souros of danger. State of Emergency Proclaimed.
In the meantime, Chinese soldiers in sivilian" eostume, and various Inwless elements, bad stolen into the Inter- national Bettlement, crestingʻa.source of danger to the quarter in the. vicinity of the Muskelps officer. Many alarming rumours were in circu Intion, and the residents were plunged into an agony of terror, the polica of Chapel district having taken flight.
Thereupon, cn January 28 at 4 o'clock authorities of the Bettioment. proclaimed a state of emergency and l
SIR
A POLITICAL SENSATION.
H. SAMUEL EXPLAINS CABINET BATTLE-
(Reuter's Special Service)ayh
LONDON, Feb. 7,
armed forces of tits Powers, were ordered out in accordance with a plane that had boon previously agreed upon 1 was whon proceeding to their signed sootor in Chapel that the Chi nere-opened -Are-upon them prooipat ing conflict between Chinese antig Japasiaus armed forces of" which tong
· prosont-kitustion in the outcome.dk
An is clear from what has boom sald, the inaldent of the Chinese assault upon Japaness priosts, and the incident of An armed Sto Japanese
conflict waro entirely separato affairs. With rogard to the artned collision, as it was entirely contrary to overy intention of enre and as the British and American Con aula-Geñoral offered to tender their. good offices, the Japanese authorities, Bought to affect causation of hos tilities, and in fact succeeded in the 29th in arriving at an agreement for a true. But on the following day the Chinese, in contravention of their pledge, opened are oncompro.
Navy's Restraint.
At a conference summoned on the Blat, it was agreed that the opposing #forcok should. cosno from all hostile action during "the progress,"nl" the negotiations, for the establishment of a sutra) zone. However, the Chi nene resuming the offensive, are- con-- tlouing the concentration of troopw in the neighbourhood of Shanghai,
So far the Japanese Navy, donir- ing, in vlow of the international character of Shanghai, not to aggra vato the situation has refrained from taking any drastic action, while the Chinese, spreading news of Japanese dofente, are showing grostor, vedam- enco in their motions.
In the existing state of affairno invej Chisa, andontrolled and unnontrol
·lable, and in view of historical pres podents in such ensol, we can have no sepurance A3 to the possible ba haviour of the vast armida congres gated in the Shanghai area, should unscrupulous politicians care to in elto them.
Our marines opposed to Chinese forega, outnumbered by more than ten to one, are being worried to ex- haustion, while the predicament of Japanese residents, facing immanent dangers they are, in beyond des cription..
In order to meet the absoluta nasss- sity of as ones despatching adeguata military reinforcements (sa thero ars obvious Imitations. to naval smita which can be landed), so as to put 'an end to the mensos of the Chinese
to restore Shanghai, to normal conditions, and to roliave the inhabitants of all nationalities from the strain of fear and disquiet, the dpelaion was taken to order necessary. milliary fomens, to Shanghai
No Speciar Significance.
It should be stated that thin des patch of military force carries, no mora signißommon then, the deepatch - of marines in socordance with thei practice of several previous occasions, and that the Japanese Government⠀⠀ are prompted bỷ" no other motive than that of discharging their inter national duty and of safeguarding tho large number of Japanese nationala and Japanese - property, worth many hundreds of millions, involved in the affair.
The expeditionary force has born, therofaro, limited, to the strength, ab solutely required for the above pur poses, and ite aotion will be guided solely by the policy of protecting the common. interests of all. Powere unless the Chinose, by continuing hos tilities, or by obstructing our army in/ attaining the abova' ends, compela. It to take necessary notion. Threoin of course, no intention whateva; "that; it should enter upou no aggressiva. campaign
The Japanese Government -- bevo already declared that they cherisha” no politics? ambitions in tho regipijį of Shanghai of encroaching thereupola. the rights of any other Power What they desire is to promote thê safety and prosperity of that region: by só-operation with the other Powers ́and by mutual assistanou," kọ đ
contribute to the peace and walkbeing of the Far East."
SHANGHAI AERIAL MAILS.
SERVICE NOW BEING RESUMED.
(TRROUGH RENTERʼN AGENCY.}
NANKING, Feb. 7 It is announced that the air mail sarvice between Shanghai, Nanking and Hankow is being resumed from to-day. The service ceased. the outbreak of the trouble
In order to avoid the mail piss
A first-class sensation has been Created by Sir Herbert Samuel, the Home Secretary; who, speaking ab Southport to day, in the course of being mistaken for military
tudied relort to the Conserva craft, they have been speciall tives who have axpressed themselves painted green. displeased with the vigour of bat The Borvine on the Shan attack on the Government's tariff Nanking Railway has been resume proposals, revealed some of the into within twelve milos of Shangha her history of the bitter battle Baga, Feb. &waged in the National Cabinet.
[TAROUGE EKOTER'S AGENT)) '
اباد
The famous movie star, Ronald The high-spot of his disclosures because it was doompanied by Colman, who is in Ehenched on a was that he himself, Viscount oner of real liberty in speech and round-the-world tour, fall afoul of Snowden, Sir Donald Maclean and in vote of expressing their af the Bettlement Police last night, Sir Archibald Sinclair, all sotually agreem when he was found in the streets tendered their resignations to Mr The understanding in the Cabin with friends after the curfew hour: Ramsay MacDonald during the dis was that this liberty should He was taken to Police Headquercussions on the tariff plants "the somewhat restricted fr tors and cautioned as to the proper members of the Cabinet who were Sir Herbers, plain speaking
Sir Samuci added that the four of a bird within a cage, observance of the law
This morning Colmar visited the unable to give their agent, accept direct reply to ContoryMives bag amplacements at Boochewed the Prime Minister's invitation suggested that he should not Cecek occupied by the Fourth to remain in the Government, only made the very real diferenc
(Continued at foot of next column.).' Chinese" or
Marines,
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.