Evening star., 1932-02-05
BOMB KILLS MANY
ON TROOP TRAIN
Japanese Flyers Wreck Chi
nese Cars, Bringing Up
ReinforCementS.
Continued From First Page.)

OF the Chinese nineteenth army, the
Associated Press correspondent came
upon the smoking skeleton of one Of
the japanese bombing planes. which
had been brought down in flames as
it Swooped low to drop explosives on
the headquarters.
There were three charred bodies in
the wreckage. A group Of Chinese
soldiers stood about in high spirits
over their success. Junk hunters were
working fast removing every piece of
metal on the ship, although no attempt
had been made to remove the bodies of
the Japanese airmen.
report from the Japanese naval
command to Toxic said the naval
forces ashore had suffered nearly 10
per cent casualties since the fighting
began The total number Of dead and
wounded was placed at more than 200
including 4 killed and 20 wounded
yesterday.
L. S. Destroyers Arrive.
Seven American destroyers arrived
from Manila and began taking up posi-
tionS in various parts of Shanghai Har-
Dor They are the Smith Thompson,
Whipple Pope Barker. Peary, John D.
Edwards and John D. Ford.
The United States transport Chau-
mont arrived with 1900 American troops
of the 3lSt Infantry from Manila.
About 100 additional Marines also
were aboard the Chaumont. The new
forces were expected to be landed to-
night, bringing the total United States
strength here to almost 5000 men.
The master of a British steamer
which arrived here this evening said he
had seen japanese airplane down in
the Yangtze River beyond the Chinese
forts at WooSung. The pilot was still in
the cockpit, badly wounded.
1t was thought here this plane might
be the one which the Chinese said they
had shot down two days ago with anti
aircraft guns from the WoOsung Forts
On the same day they said they had
sunk japanese destroyer in the
Whangpo.
Chinese Air Fleet Expected.
Chinese guns hurled shells through
out North Hongkew during the day, and
United States Marines said shells from
the artillery duel fell within the resi-
dental area which they patrolled, en-
dangering the inhabitants. They were
unable to say whether the shells were
from japanese or Chinese guns.
Gen. Tsai Ting-Kai, commander OF
the Chinese goth Army, said fleet OF
u
tarily from Marking and would put
stop to the Japanese monopoly OF the
air" He said they would be used only
defensively. however.
Conflicting reports from West Shang-
hal told of the arrival there OF fleet
Of Chinese airplaneS and said they mad
engaged the japanese aViatorS IN an
aerial battle at noon, but no Conflrma-
ton of the report was available mere
late this evening. The Chinese claimed
they drove off the Japanese airmen and
brought down a second plane.
Japanese authorities denied the battle
had taken place. The consensus here
this evening was that the Chinese flyers
arrived here and met the japanese
planes, but the result Of the engage
ment was not known
Chinese civil authorities said the Chi
nese flyers were nearby and that to-
morrow would bring something start
ling"
Showdown" Desired.
Far from being perturbed by the ter
rife artillery and aerial bombardment
to which they have been subjected dur
ing the last two days. the Chinese
Armies seemed a bit bored at the
way things were going and officers ex
pressed the wish the japanese would
offer the opportunity for Showdown"
This was the attitude presented by
Gen. Tsai, and it is borne out by OBJ
servations behind the Chinese lines.
Gen Tsai received the Associated
Press correspondent at his head
quarters, 2 miles behind the Chapel
front. He is young, mild-mannered,
almost diffldent man, with sensitive
features and narrowly tapering hands
far cry from the Chinese war lord.
His headquarters were in a converted
residence. The reception room floor
was carpeted with sandbagS, forming
roof for a bombproof cellar. into which
the general staff retires when the Japa-
nese bombing planes soar overhead, al
most every day.
Gen Tsai has just emerged un-
scathed, from japanese air raid.
"They are foolish" he said They
think to frighten us by dropping bombs
on our villages and pounding us with
artillery. They are wrong. The bombs
and shells kill more innocent civilians
than soldiers. Instead Of frightening
us they only raise our fighting spirit.
My soldiers will never yield. but will
hold their ground to the last man"
Welcomes Infantrymen.
The general manifested no respect for
the fighting qualities of the japanese
bluejacketS in spite of their advantage
in equipment. I'm interested to learn
that the Japanese are sending a di-
vision Of infantrymen to meet us" he
said. I'VE will welcome the, show
down"
At this moment an orderly appeared
with a charred card on which were
japanese characters. Gen. Tsai read 1t
q bit mournfully. "Shibu," he said
That was the name Of one Of the Jap
anese aviators brought down an hour
before while trying to bomb the Chinese
headquarters. A twisted machine gun
and a revolver taken from the same
plane lay on the table nearby.
Shanghai or the International Settle
ment or the japanese troops need have
no fear Of Chinese offensive, the gen.
eral said
In marked contrast with the military
stiffness Of the japanese headquarters
here. the headquarters OF Gen TSai were
extremely informal. Members of his
bOdyguard were garbed in loose hanging
blue uniforms and lOlled about the
room His aides broke into the CONVEX
sation frequently without so much as
q salute. Firearms were conspicuous by
their absence.
Hundreds of soldiers hung about ada
cent streets. apparently in good spirits.
in spite of having come from warmer
climes in KWangsi. Most of them were
obviously inadequ2tely equipped for the
vigorous North China weather. Some
wore tennis shoes and some Summer
hats.
Gen. Tsai has 10000 troops on his
pay roll. Their average pay is reported
to be $3.50 a month in gold.