Evening star., 1932-02-24
Warns Neutrals
to Get Out OF
Danger Zone.
CHINA PREPARES
TO FIRE ON SHIPS
Believe Attack Is
Planned on Base
on Whangpoo.
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
SHANGHAI (Thursday), Febru-
ary 25.-Mayor WI Teh-Chen
served warning on the neutral
authorities today that it would be
dangerous to anchor vessels in the
Whangpoo near the Japanese
military base, and his warning
was interpreted as an indication
that Chinese artillery would be
trained on the sector where the
japanese flagship Idzumo is
moored.
This yelled threat was in the
form of a new protest to the for
eign consular officials against the
use of the Hongkew sector of the
Settlement as a japanese base.
The mayor reiterated previous
warnings that the Chinese govern
ment would not be responsible for
any damage to foreign property
caused by operations against the
Japanese on that front.
Flagship Is Base.
"I request you," the mayor
wrote, Ito notify your naval and
other authorities not to anchor
their ships near the base of op-I
erations of the Japanese military"
Mayor WI pointed out that the
Idzumo was anchored in the river
under the protection of the settle
ment" and asserted that from that
ship are issued orders directing the
attack on Chinese troops"
This development came at a time
when the japanese, beaten off in sue
cessive attacks on Kiangwan, had con-
fessed their failure at that point and
shifted their offensive to the Chapel
front where artillery, which had been
out OF action for several days, was blaz-
ing late last night.
Urges Rapid Evacuation.
Mayor WI also asked the foreign
get out of the battle area as quickly
as possible and to evacuate all places
close to points in Hongkew where
japanese troops are concentrated.
No effective measures have been
TAKEN" he said, ito prevent the jap
anese from violating the neutrality of
the International Settlement and from
generally endangering the lives and
property of both foreign and Chinese
citizens, although the settlement au-
! thorities have expressed desire to
maintain that neutrality"
The mayor left it at that but OBJ
servers reading between the lines in
ferred that the Chinese were ready for
an attack on Hongkew before Japanese
re1nforcementS reported on the way
from Toxic could arrive.
Gen Uyeda's Japanese Army made
another drive against the Chinese at
Kiangwan today, and when it failed to
bulge the Chinese the center of the
Japanese attack was suddenly shifted
to the Chapel front this afternoon.
Observers said tonight they believed
the Japanese had virtually assumed a
defensive attitude and were waiting for
anticipated reinforcements from Japan
OutburstS OF machine gun and artillery
/ fire continued, but there was no sus
| boAAASA oNSAOAl A4lS 4obVVL Holb VA
the day.
A landing force from the Japanese
warshipS in the river opened the at
tack along the northern section of the
battered Chapel sector and severe fight
ing followed throughout the afternoon.
Heavy Air Bombardment.
| The thrust against Kiangwan, where
the Chinese have been immovable for
four days, was preceded by a heavy
bombardment from the air. The blasts
OF the huge aerial bombs shook the
entire countryside, but they failed to
Fout the Chinese, who continued to
/ sweep the enemy with rifle and ma
| chine-gun fire.
| TWO Chinese airplanes attempted to
bomb the japanese headquarters at
kiangWan and missed their target by
only 100 feet
The japanese air attack on the CEN
trail stronghold of the 16-mile Chapel
Woosung front was followed by a driv-
ing ground attack. The assault was
covered by japanese batteries on the
Kiangwan golf course, but it ended
with no gain.
Eight Giant Planes Used.
Eight giant bombing planes delivered
the air attack on Kiangwan. They
uSeQ zoU-pOunQ DCmDS. Inc RAID
lasted less than half hour and caused
considerable damage to the Chinese
positions even though it failed to bulge
the defenders.
Reports were circulated through the
city today that Japanese reinforce
mentS had already arrived at Woosung,
on the northern end of the battle
front; but there was no sign of any
additional soldiers there at noon. Gen.
Uyeda, Japanese commander, said that
he expected reinforcements, but he re-
fused to say how many.
japanese officials said two additional
army divisions would sail from Japan
in the near future. These two divi-
sions would comprise $4,000 men, they
said.
Authorities of the international set
tlement began wholesale vaccination
today to prevent a possible epidemic of
smallpox as a result of the inflow Of
thousands of Chinese refugees from
Hongkew. Chapel an dother districts.
1t is estimated that 10000 refugees
| were Vaccinated during the dav