ARMISTICE SIGNED

Manawatu Standard, Volume LII, Issue 51, 30 January 1932, Page 7

ARMISTICE SIGNED

CHINESE AND JAPANESE

SHANGHAI 'HOSTILITIES

CALM AFTER THE FIERCEST .FIGHTING

(United Press Association. —By Electric, Telegraph.—Copyright.) Received January 30, 11.0 a.m. SHANGHAI, Jan. 29. After the fiercest fighting ever witnessed in Shanghai, an armistice is reported to have been declared to-night between the Japanese and Chinese. ; The Mayor, Mr Wu, and the Japanese Consul-General, Mr Murai, were brought together, with the American ConsulGeneral and the British Consul-General as arbitrators. Though both Chinese and Japanese' unofficial sources claim that a truce has been signed, no other foreign officials have made any statement. It is stated that both armies will remain in their present positions, awaiting further negotiations. The report of the armistice appears to be confirmed by the state of affairs at Chapei, the northern outer suburb of Shanghai, which is gradually becoming quieter, though snipers are still active on the boundaries, ahd in parts of the / settlement where Japanese troops are stationed.

The fighting in the afternoon was the' heaviest since the hostilities commenced, the Chinese taking the offensive and causing the Japanese into retirement,, with heavy casualties, which' are now estimated at conservatively over 300. Late in the afternoon a strong force of Chinese attacked the Japanese naval headquarters and were only repulsed after the most severe fighting. . v -. ■' Chapei presents a shambles; it is almost completely gutted. A huge fire is still raging. Three Japanese seaplanes this afternoon set fire to the north railway station. At least one Japanese ’plane was brought down during the attack on the station. CHINESE FIGHTING ABILITY.

therefore took the extremely drastic action.

It is, stated that a bomb fell in the French Concession, killing five people.

LEAGUE CONSIDERATION

APPOINTMENT OF INQUIRY COMMISSION PROBABLE.PAINFUL IMPRESSION AT GENEVA. (British Official Wireless). Received January 30, 10.0 a.m. RUGBY, Jan. 29. At the League Council at Geneva, the Japanese delegate, Mr , Sato, adduced many legal arguments why the Council should postpone consideration of the Chinese demand for an examination of the Sino-Japanese' dis-pute-under Articles of the Covenant. These arguments were countered by others put forward by the chairman, M. Paul Boncour, who was supported by every member of the Council. The Secretary-General was instructed to propose at to-morrow’s meeting the best means of obtaining reliable information regarding the events in Shanghai, and it is generally believed that this will take the form of an immediate appointment of a commission of inquiry to examine t)io situation on the spot. M. Boncour requested the Japanese and Chinese delegates to telegraph to their Governments an expression of the painful expression caused at Geneva, and urging „them to take all possible steps to prevent further loss of life and the commission of any act which might be. irreparahle. The delegates were asked to ;add that the Council had the matter in hand and would not rise until it was settled.

The most remarkable feature is the almost unbelievable resistance of the Chinese soldiers, who are displaying fighting ability comparable to foreign troops. Tho temper of the whole Chinese populace has reached unprecedented ferocity. All the outside areas , have been cut off, and the foreign areas are facing a serious food shortage. All the Chinese shops are closed, and the Communists are working feverishly to convert the situation to their own ends.

FIGHTING IN CHAPEL

HEAVY CASUALTIES.

SHANGHAI, Jan. 29. Yesterday hostilities began in Shanghai with heavy fighting in Ohapei, the northern outer suburb. The Japanese advanced to . capture the railway station, and heavy detonations from a bombing squad shattered the windows of houses along the Chapei boundary. ‘ There were seven Japanese casualties within seven • minutes of , their entry into Chinese territory. The early Chinese casualties were heavy and more than 100 Chinese prisoners were soon brought from the fighting zone.

By 3.10 p.m. to-day the fighting had reached almost war scale in Chapei, the Chinese snipers holding out against the Japanese. It was even reported that they had surrounded a number of Japanese. At 1.30 p.m. four Japanese bombers were sent up to carry out probably the biggest bombing raid in China’s history. The’’planes circled above the doomed area, dropping their “egers” at intervals, while thousands of spectators on rooftops in the International Settlement, fortunate enough to- obtain a box seat, saw familiar fountains of black debris rise.

The railway station went. up in smoke; also the Commercial Press, the biggest Chinese organised printing works, which was destroyed Dy fire. The Japanese learned that the Chinese had an armoured train within/ the railway station, which they decided to wipe out. Chapei is on fire in three places. The city awakened_ this morning to the sound of intermittent rifle and machine-gun fire, with the boom of heavy guns at intervals, and the droning of aeroplanes. , The only available report of casualties states that 30 Japanese and 200 Chinese have been killed. The Chinese within the settlement are becoming panic-stricken. Bankers haye closed their institutions,, and all Japanese mills are closed; throwing 60,000 out of work. The resources of the foreign police are taxed to the utmost. A message from Nanking states that the Chinese Government apparently intends to offer resistance.

Reinforcements of Cantonese were mobilised and entrained for Shanghai to-day. The troops were in the highest spirits as they trotted to the station, shouting patriotic slogans. i

There are three areas in Shanghai—the International Settlement (1843), the French Settlement (1849), and Woosung—thrown open to foreign trade and residence in 1898, hot by treaty, but by the initiative of the Chinese Government. Normally two British battalions (at present under the command of Briga-dier-General G. Fleming) are stationed in Shanghai; also a small French force. The Shanghai Volunteer Carps, maintained for the protection of the Foreign Settlement, is commanded.by Colonel "H. B. Owen-Palmer ajid consists of 101 officers and 1546 other ranks. The force is self-contained, being equipped’ with’ field howitzers, light guns, and armoured cars. There is a company of engineers and a medical corps. The units include" British, Americans, Japanese, Russians, Portugese and Chinese. In addition there are reserves to the number of about 270.’ ■' . f ;•*

REASON FOR JAPAN’S ACTION

ADMIRAL’S STATEMENT.

(British Official Wireless), Received .January 30. 11.20 a.m. RUGjBY. Jan. 29. In a proclamation which preceded the air attack on Chapei, the, Japanese admiral stated that-the reason for the action was the general restlessness that prevailed in and outside the settlement, and that there was a necessity in consequence for taking measures to protect Japanese residents. ' . The Japanese version of the Chapei clash is that when occupying the-posi-tions assigned them under the settlement defence scheme they were attacked birth by Chinese regulars and by armed inen in plain clotlies; They

> ARTICLES OF COVENANT.

Received January 30, 10.0 a.m. ( . GENEVA, Jan. 20, Dr Yen, the Chinese representative to the League of Nations, announces that China has invoked Articles ten and fifteen of the League Covenant.

q, SUGGESTED CO-OPERATION.

BRITAIN AND UNITED STATES.

Received January 30, 9:10 a.m. r,i , LONDON, Jan. 29. - In response to communications from Washington, Britain has made verbal representations' suggesting that the United States should co-operate with Britain in requesting Japan to take no action in the International Settlement without consulting the interested Governments. Britain, is also asking Japan for information in connection with the recent developments in Shanghai.

BRITAIN’S INVITATION

ACCEPTED- BY UNITED STATES,

OTHER POWERS INFORMED.

(British Official Wireless). Received January 30,. 11.0 a.m. RUGBY, Jan. 29. Reports, from Washington indicate that the American Government has accepted the British invitation -to cooperate in representations to Japan. The French and Italian Governments have also been informed of the course adopted by the British Government.

AMERICAN ATTITUDE.

WARSHIPS FOR SHANGHAI

DEPARTURE FROM MANILA

Received January 30, 8.5 a.m. NEW \ORK, Jan. 28. The New York Times’s Manila correspondent states that, following a wild night of rumours, Admiral laylor ordered full complements aboard four American destroyers —the Edsal,, the Bulmer, the Paul Jones, and the Parrot—which left for Shanghai at 9.30 o’clock this morning. . Although the command doubts that a further move will be required, all othjer American ships here are prepared to proceed to Shanghai if necesIt is asserted at Washington that the United States Asiatic fleet was never so weak is combatant strength as now. The only, modern American ship in Far Eastern waters ,' is the Houston, a cruiser of 10,000 tons, which is at Manila. The American destroyers, the Bone and the Truxtun, are now at Shanghai. '\’i .... While an expression of _positive American policy toward the Far East emergency is withheld pending developments, the discussions between the Secretary of State, Mr H. L. Stimson, Arid the British Ambassador, Sir Ronald Lindsay, indicate that Britain will co-operate with the United States in any- steps necessary to protect;British and United States property and nationals. . ~ .. ! , This resulted in the dispatch of orders; to tlje American destroyers at Manila to be prepared to proceed to Shanghai and up the Yangtse River to protect American interests if necessary. - Mr Stimson has asked Japan, what her intentions are at'Shanghai, but has reoeived no reply. It jp believed here that Japan is hoping to bring China to her knees and is intent’ on moving her forces to Nanking and H an kow. The situation at; Harbin also, is regarded as serious. Tokio’s objection to .the publication here of the Manchurian correspondence has been ignored. A resolution refer-

ring to an economic boycott by the United States against Japan has been offered in the House of Representatives, but such -a move either by the United States or by Britain is not ■••egarded as being an immediate prospect. ;•; / Word from Tokio . indicates , that Japan is prepared to break off diplomatic relations in the event of economic coercion of this nature. EXPORT. OF AMMUNITION. FORBIDDEN BY SENATE. WASHINGTON. Jan. 28. The Department of Commerce has received a report that the Yokohama Specie Bank is shipping 36 million yen in' gold to the .United States before the end of January. Amidst speculation as to whether these funds would be used' to purchase military supplies, a Senatorial resolution has been introduced to forbid the exportation of arms or munitions to Japan or China. Japanese bonds in New York haye dropped from 1- to 4i points. . controi7by~military. • LONDON COMMENT.

(Times Cable..) •LONDON, Jan. 29. The Times says: “The responsibilities of the fourteen Powers interested in the International Settlement at Shanghai are vastly by the drastic action of the Japanese admiral.' The Japanese Government would be well advised to dispel the impression that has gained ground in America and elsewhere that thei** policy is controlled, instead of being executed, by the general staffs of the Imperial Army and Navy.” ': japaneseTwarships. ~TOKIO, Jan. 29. A cruiser and four destroyers, with marines aboard, left Sasebo for Shanghai to-day. Later the airship-carrier Hosho and a second destroyer flotilla left for the same destination.