Evening star., 1932-02-17
JAPANESE PLAN
WARNING TO CHINA
Battle Continues on Longer
Front-TWo British Blue
Jackets Are Killed.
CONTINUED From First Page }

(Contmued From First Page)
many casualties and considerable dam
age.
Later in the day Capt. S. Tomita,
spokesman for the Japanese headquar-
ters, said an ultimatum would be issued
,, to the Chinese lin the very near fu-
ture," demanding their withdrawal from
Shanghai and that the expected big
japanese attack would not take place
unless this ultimatum were disregarded
He said reports that the major offensive
would stert tonight or tomorrow were
nonsense"
The battle today was fought along a
'ine reaching from Chapel to Kianp-
wan, half way to the Woosung forts.
The Chinese bombardment, which was
described as so severe by the Japanese,
was accompanied by sweeping rifle and
machine gun fire. The Chinese were
| not budged from their positions by the
Japanese bombardment.
It followed a thunderous night during
which most people in the International
Settlement were kept awake as the
rapid and mighty explosions shook the
city. Other sources said the Chinese
reply to the Japanese guns was feeble
as might be expected from the differ
ence in artillery equipment of the two
armies and that it was one of their
poorly directed shells that wounded the
two British bluejackets, both of whom
were attached to H. M. S. Suffolk in
the river.
Shells Land in Settlement.
The Great Northern cable also was
reported cut, so that an emergency con-
nection had to be established.
American Marine headquarters said a
number Of shells fell within the north
ern borders Of the International Settle
ment which Marines patrolled and that
two Chinese were killed and a number
wounded there during the lombard
ment. None Of the Marines was
wounded. They said the shells exploded
with great power and apparently came
from the Japanese batteries.
A British river boat. the Suiwo, was
struck by a shell and forced to take to
10 shells dropped on the docks along
the Whangpoo.
Rear Admiral Shimada. Japanese
chief of staff. charged that Chinese
soldiers were sniping in the Hongkew
sector contrary to all accepted usages
Of war and The Hague International
Convention" The Chinese. he said
were organizing gun men into MILL
tary units and assigning them to duty
in Hongkew streets.
At the airdromes there was eXtraor-
binary activity during the day. Me-
chanics hustled about Assem- bling planes
which were being brought in parts from
| the transports on the Whangpoo by
trucks. At least 1000 soldiers, having
temporarily deserted their rifles for
fatigue duty. swarmed over an auxil-
| iary plot near the main airdrome
smoothing it down and preparing the
runways.
All Types Of Planes.
There were planes of all types on
view. Nearly half of the fleet was made
: up Of bombers. all heavily loaded with
cargoes of explosives. Mechanics clam
bered over them putting them in shape
to take off on moments notice. Avia-
tors, thickly clad. stood about waiting
fo- the call to action. There was also
wasplike fighting planes. capable OF
q eat speed and quick maneuvering.
Tents for use as hangers and supply
Gepots, as well as mechanics quarters
| had sprung up on all sides Of the field
At one corner of the field nearest the
! Chinese lines two anti-aircraft guns
could be seen, camouflaged with vari-
coiored coats of bright paint and fur
| ther hidden under veil Of rope net
| ting.
The chief danger to this field seemed
! to lie in the possibility of lombard
ment from the Chinese positions at
Kiangwan. only a few miles away.
| few more Japanese airplanes were con-
centrated at new airdome off Woo
sung road and the rest are aboard two
aircraft. carriers now lying off the Sad
die Islands, In the ocean of Woosung.
The headquarters area was alive with
soldiers. They we're stringing wires all
over it. An artillery unit assembled a
number of howitzers in an open field
A Japanese captain said a number of
tanks had arrived but these were kept
under cover.
BRITISH SAILORS KILLED,