Evening star., 1932-02-01
BRITAIN MOVES
FOR NEW PROTEST
Japanese Ships Fire on
Nanking-ItaIy Sends
"VigorouS" Warning.
Continued From First PageD

clashes became acute. One or more
of the four deStrOyerS which arrived at
Shanghai yesterday will be dispatched
up the Yangtze
The Simpson reported last night that
the Chinese have a large concentration
OF land forces there.
President Hoover was advised imme-
diatcly OF the critical development.
Danger involved was far from mini
mized II doubtless means that any
strong measures necessary for prOtec-
tion of American citizens will be taken
at once.
France CO-operates.
Meanwhile. France formally notified
the Washington Government today Of
its cooperation with American, Brit
ish and Italian complaints against the
Shanghai situation precipitated by
Japan. It was indicated, however,
that any military activity directed from
Paris would be confined to defense OF
French quarters in the seaport.
When the news of japanese guns
hurting shells into Marking reached
Washington. IT, British Ambassador
was notifying UnderSeCretary Castle
that his government considered the lat
est development at Shanghai to be 'un-
reasonable" He asked if the United
States did not consider 1t timely to eX-
press such sentiments to Japan. There
was no immediate indication what reply
he received, If any.
Ambassador De MARITIME also informed
the State Department that Rome is
sending a vigorous warning to Japan
that Tokio's actions at Shanghai are
Dangerous
Edwin S Cunningham, American
consul general at Shanghai, reported
that intermittent fighting went on
there. Firing early this morning was
described as exceedingly violent" Both
the Chinese and japanese charged the
other with breach of the truce
The present disturbances present
new and different difficulties from pre-
vious ones" said Cunningham. "Prac-
tically every man is armed, and there
fore Sniping is evident and widespread.
Firearms have replaced the propaganda
circular. Sniping at present is directed
particularly against the japanese. The
japanese sector is fast being evacuated
by the Chinese.
Asked Sufficient Notice.
Comdr. Rutledge of the Simpson ad-
vised the Navy last night that he had
asked Chinese and japanese officials at
Nanking to give him sufficient notice so
that Americans could be evacuated be-
fore hoStilites opened. At that time
10th sides asserted that hoStlAtles were
not contemplated.
Consular officers at Nanking on Sat-
urday warned Americans to be prepared
to evaCuate within two hours. The Chi
nese were reported at that time as
throwing up barriCadeS and Sandbag
embellishments in preparation for an at
tack at Shanghai today.
Military and naval forces Of the
United States. Great Britain, France
and Italy went into action as fighting
between the Chinese and japanese
lulled, to defend the embattled city
against further Sanguinary outbreaks.
-Four American deStrOyerS arrived at
Shanghai during the forenoon and a
feet Of six more United States war craft
sailed from Manila. These included the
cruiser Houston, flagship Of the Amer
ican Asiatic fleet
The British cruiser Berwick, with 300
men and a gun battery. left HOngkOng
for Shanghai during the afternoon.
The British aircraft carrier HermeS
embarked all her planes and stood ready
to leave at a moments notice, while
H NJ. S. Cumberland. now in drydock
at HOngkOng, was ordered to prepare
for service as speedily as possible.
Oil Plant Fired On.
The orders for additional American
relnforcementS were issued at a special
Sunday meeting of officials under the
personal direction Of President Hoover.
Bullets cracked into the Shanghai
plant Of the American TeXaCO Oil Co. |
when a Japanese destroyed, steaming
down the Whangpo River raked the
shore with machine gun fire.
Nobody was hurt. but the company |
officials protested to the American con- !
sui who took it up with the japanese !
authorities. Shortly after the firing
the American destroyer Parrot tied up
at the TeXaCO wharf.
The Chinese legation said today that |
reports from its government was that |
the Japanese attacks at Shanghai were /
wantOn and we're conducted without |
regard to any principles of interna-
tional law
The legation said the Japanese at
taCks on Shanghai were made after the |
Chinese authority had virtually agreed !
to all japanese demands.
The telegram from the foreign office |
also said, the legation reported that !
Japan had sent additional war craft to-
ward Marking
Word that Nanking was being fired |
upon reached here in AZ minutes, being |
relayed by the Simpson to a river gun
boat and from the gunboat to other |
destroyerS and thence to Washington
BIanton Urges Caution.
Representative Blanton Democrat, |
Texas in the House this afternoon OPP |
posed the Presidents order to send mill
tary and naval re-enforcementS 10
Shanghai.
Calling it step ito protect few |
Chinese merchants, he warned this |
country would become involved in war
II we don't watch our step
DO you think we should not protect |
our people who are rightfully there at
Shanghai" Representative Purnell |
Republican, independently demanded !
I think we should, but don't send |
military forces" Blanton returned. We |
should give our people transportation
and get them out of there
Uptown. Ambassador Debuchl OF ia !
pan discussed the whole situation with
Secretary StimSon. but is was not made |
clear whether they went over the petit
ton of the Toxic government for the
American, British, French and Italian
governments to cooperate with Japan
in stopping the fighting in Shanghai |
The attempt to establish neutral
zone there between the japanese and
Chinese forces seems to have broken
down. the Ambassador said, and he in
sisted the only alternative is for the
japanese forces to compel the Chinese
to stop fighting He contended the
japanese will stop firing as soon as the
Chinese do.
Johnsons Report Awaited.
Debuchi had no knowledge of the
shelling of Nanking. He expressed
doubt that more Japanese troops would /
be sent to Shanghai from Japan.
OficiaIs awaited reports from Nelson
T. johnson. Minister to China. who left
Peiping yesterday for Marking, taking
the 80 members of the American lega-
tion staff