Evening star., 1932-03-11
Continued From First Page)
BRAND.
CHURCH PROPERTY OCCUPIED
American Missionaries Protest Use Nv
Chinese Soldiers.

Chinese Soldiers.
SHANGHAI, March IL CP,-Chinese
authorities we're adamant today in re-
fustng to accept any peace settlement
which did not include an unconditional
withdrawal Of Japanese troops from the
Shanghai area.
As q result, although both the Chinese
and japanese accepted the resolution
Of the League of Nations adopted March
looking toward settlement of hos
tllities here, no peace was in sight to-
day.
The Chinese reiterated they were un-
willing to enter into a conference on
any other basis than unconditional
Withdrawal of troops by the japanese.
and Japanese diplomatic circles, al
though they said they we're not only
willing but anxious to enter into a con-
ference with the Chinese, indicated 1t
was imperative that the two sides get
together on an Interpretation Of the
Leagues resolution.
1t was apparent the Japanese believed
that unconditional withdrawal Of troops
was not intended by the League as q
condition for the peace parleys.
Church Property Occupied.
A heavy detachment of Chinese
troops has occupied the American
Episcopal Church property at Changshu,
80 miles north of Soochow, for several
days, missionaries here learned today.
All of the buildings on the property
were occupied, it was reported. includ:
| ing q school which was abruptly closed
/ when the troops arrived.
Another group of Chinese troops was
reported occupying church belonging
to the same mission at Kunshan, on the
Shanghai Marking Railway. They were
| using the structure for rice store
| house, the report said, and the weight
Of the grain caused the floor to give
way.
Mission authorities asked the United
States consulate to request the evacua-
ton of both properties.
An Inquiry and an Appraisal Com
| mittee for American Layman's For
eign Missions arrived today to begin
an appraisal of the entire American
missionary movement IN China and later
in Japan. The committee is made up
| of Is prominent American men and
| women. The purpose of the inquiry 10
to secure the fullest information on the
present status and future status OF
American missions.
The members came here by way Of
Europe, India and South China. They
have already investigated L.issions in
the latter two areas.
Report Heavy Casualties.
| Chinese military authorities said the
total number of casualties In their
forces during the fighting between
February % and March 3 we're at least
| 10000. The greater portion of these
were deaths, they said.
Civilian casualties also we're heavy,
they said, in towns along the battle
line. These would also run into thou
sands, they said.
There were countless cases where in
dividuals and entire families vanished.
Most Of the Chinese losses, the military
officials said, resulted from japanese
| artillery shells and aerial bombs. The
terrific blasting obliterated completely
the Chinese artillery positions and
trenches, junbling men and equipment
in a mass Of wreckage and torn hu-
manity.
It was estimated that at least 500
Chinese coolies who were working be-
hind the Chinese lines carrying ammu-
milton and digging trenches persisted.
The Chinese 88th Division, which
held the lines In the vicinity of Mao
chungchen, was said to have suffered
the heaviest casualties, having lost one
third OF its strength before it was
forced to retreat.