Evening star., 1932-02-19

danger from shells which overshot the
mark.
marine officers described the position
as "precarious" and directed extension
q the sandbag barbados along
SDochow Greek.
aThis afternoon, Gen Uyeda, the Jap
ahese commander, said his men had
heen instructed to exercise caution. but
he added that "it is likely some shells
night fall wide of their mark, in which
event he would be regretful but unable
tc prevent it"
. U. S. Troops Endangered.
MARINE officers said that since they
had been on patrol along Sooehow
Greek. 100 shells had fallen in that vi
entity. subjecting the American force to
rral danger. 1t was only coed luck,
they said, that none of them had been
Killed.
sThere was an additional danger they
said, for the Chinese across the creek
have mined their front line trenches in
Preparation for blowing them up if that
seemed advisable.
.The foreign force defending the In
tsrnational Settlement was considered
Sufficient to ward off any serious
danger.
sUpon entering the lines, which they
took over from the Volunteer Corps and
paid Russian troops, the Americans
Immediately began assembling ma
chine guns, manning the bleckhouSes
and posting sentries behind line of
ssndbags supporting the block house
POSITIONS.
sThey also placed machine guns on
the roofs of houses Immediately behind
their lines. These new positions en-
lSyed an unobstructed view of the
Ii
run along behind the wrecked Shang-
hai-Nanking Railway Station, few
yards outside the settlement boundary.
The American troops expressed the
keeneSt satisfaction on taking over the
new positions. AT last we are where
there is likely to be some action" one
d them said.
= More Shells Fall in Settlement
sThe soldiers, all members of the 31st
United States Infantry, Immediately
began mailing up on the block houses
signs taken from nearby DESTROYED
buildings announcing: Rooms to let
Cabaret shows-dancing nightly
best music in town
Several more Chinese shells fell in
the International Settlement during
the night. Eight dropped on Broad
way and one exploded in bed room
Gt the Savoy Hotel, but no one was
hurt
: American authorities called the at
tention of Gen. Tsai Ting-Kai. mayor
of WI Teh-Cheng and Mamoru
Shigemitsu. japanese minister. to the
necessity for taking the strictest care
against shells from the artillery on
either side falling in the International
Settlement and endangering American
lives and property.
! The British, French, Italians and
some other powers called the attention
df Chinese and japanese headquarters
to the danger of shells falling in the
settlement and urged efforts to avoid
artillery fire in that direction. Both
Chinese and japanese authorities gave
assurances that their armies had been
cautioned not to train big guns upon
the foreign area.
: Church Property Inspected
: American Minister Nelson T. johnson,
Accompanied by the Japanese vice con-
aul and others, climbed through win
dow to inspect the property of the
American Methodist Episcopal Church
taded three times by japanese raiding
parties, ostensibly in search for snipers
Cr infammatory literature.
Since the last raid the mission school
has been under the seal of Japanese
naval authorities. One Of the officials-
Rev. j. C. Hawk-yisited the property
before Mr.. johnson and found on the
gate notice reading CLOSED by order
Of the imperial japanese naval author
Rev. Mr. Hawk then called on Mr..
Cunningham and asked him to accom-
pany him to the compound, where they
removed the japanese seal. Mr.. Cum
bingham persuaded the American Min
tster to investigate. and he did so,
booking over broken windows, doors and
furniture and scattered records, books
and pictures.
No Sign of Withdrawal
Chinese guns doomed heavy tattoo
es a prelude to tomorrow'S expected
battle. Three japanese bluejackets were
killed. Under cover of the lombard
Iaent Chinese made hasty but elaborate
Preparations for the expected attack
bmorrow, when the Japanese ulti-
Hnatun expires
: There was no sign that the Chinese
had any other intentions than to fight
il out to a finish.
2 Beginning of the Japanese offensive
tomorrow morning was considered made
virtually certain this afternoon when
Gen. Uyeda said unless the Chinese had
withdrawn from their front line posi-
lions at Chapel. Kiangwan and Woo
sung by 7 am t6 pm. Eastern standard
fine today the japanese will take
independent action"
Thus far he added, significantly,
ewe see no sign of Chinese with
drawal."
Interpreted as Defiance.
. The bombardment was interpreted by
japanese officers Is a gesture of def
ance. They said the Chinese, guns
hurled shells over the japanese con-
sulate and the flagship Idzumo in the
Hver during the night. Artillery fire
also was exchanged at Kiangwan.
/ The only effect the Japanese ul-
timatum seemed to have had upon the
Chinese soldiers was to speed up the
york of Strengthening defense, which
reach for miles behind the Chinese
lines.
: Troops we're in the line all the way
from Chapel to Woosung. Machine
guns were being placed In position at
frequent intervals,
: Many bridges protected by machine
guns were fxed so they could be re-
moved easily if retreat became neces-
Sary. Numerous sandbag redoubts
dotted the roads.
( At the japanese headquarters in the
kungda Mill in Yangtzepoo district
the offices there formerly occupied by
bookkeepers and clerks were filled to-
Gay with uniformed men poring over
haps. drawing plans and discussing
problems of strategy for the big Of
fensive which they regarded as in
evitable
The cotton spinning machinery was
stilled and soldiers hunks were placed
about the great looms
. The Offices of Lieut.. Gen. Kenkichi
Uyeda were the hub of all the activity.
. Machine guns were being placed in
pits at intervals of about so yards
ground the new Japanese airdrome
Numerous sand bag redoubts were also
built at the corners of the field and
along the banks of the Whangpoo
A1Ver.