The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1932-02-25

The big guns poured q crushing
fire on the Chinese while the infan-
try advanced. Fighting desperately,
the Japanese took Miaochungchen,
northwest of Kiangwan and con-
tinued their wheeling drive from
there. The entire area was covered
with smoke which made 1t almost
impossible to determine the details Of
what was going on.
Pounding Second Lins
As the afternoon wore on the ia
panese claimed they had occupied
the Chinese first line defenseS north-
west Of Kiangwan and that their ar
tillery was then pounding vigorously
upon the second line. At the same
time fleet Of 40 airplanes rained
250-pound bombs on the Chinese.
While the battle was raging q Ja-
panese transport arrived at the
wharves within the international set.
Element. loaded with ammunition.
The ammunition was quickly trans
ferred to trucks which dashed off In
the direction Of Kiangwan.
All of the international settlement,
and especially the French concession,
showed considerable nervousness be-
cause Of an attack by the japanese
planes on the Lunghua railway sta
ton, two miles south Of the French
concession. The inhabitants were
fearful the Japanese would bomb the
Lunghua arsenal, reported to contain
enough explosives to smash every
window in the international settle
ment If bomb were to hit it.
Chinese Gunfire Continues
Although the Chinese appeared to
be being blasted from their front line
positions, their rifle and machine gun
fire continued and occasional boom
ing Of their artillery from the rear
indicated ttatr heavy guns still were
working although their lombard
ment was weak compared with the
thunderous fire from the japanese
guns.
Late in the afternoon the weight
of the japanese artillery onslaught
was directed against the Chinese rear
positions, which Japanese military
officials said they were trying to
weaken so they might occupy them
as soon as the demolition OF the
Chinese first line was completed.
The southern front lines leading
toward Chapel were quiet. The jap
anese had moved all artillery, ma
chine guns and infantry from the
area east Of Kiangwan to support the
attack on the north.
AS the battle ragged, large numbers
Of Japanese dead and wounded were
brought out Of the front lines but It
was stated most Of them would not be
picked up until the engagement was
ended.
Prepare For Evacuation
U. s. officials In the international
settlement said they soon would an-
nounce plan by which all Americans
in the whole settlement area could
be concentrated quickly for evacra-
ton In case Of an emergency. The
U. s. officials said they did not con-
slider the danger greatly increased
yet, but they thought 1t best to have
their plans made before IN emer-
gency arose.
Japanese consular officials said
Chinese sniping activities continued
within the battle areas to take IN adj
ditional Japanese military toll. Eight
japanese civilians have been killed.
they said, and s. wounded In the
Hongkew section Of the settlement
since the outbreak Of fighting last
Saturday. Two Of tho wounded were
women. they said.
Japanese patrols within Hongkew
were continuing their attempts to
eradicate tho suipers. they said, but
were experiencing great difficulty.