Evening star., 1932-03-07
CHINESE ATTACK NEAR LUIHO.
Offensive Started by 5000 Soldiers,
japanese Report

japanese Report
SHANGHAI, March (P).-Japanese
military officials said tonight 5000 Chi
nese soldiers in the vicinity OF Luiho
began an offensive against the Japanese
positions there, forcing their troops to
take defensive measures"
The Chinese, on the other hand, said
the Japanese continued to push west
ward from Nanziang along the Shang-
hai-Nanking Railway and also west
ward from Katlng.
Neutral observers said they believed
considerable skirmiShing was continuing
along the present battle line, but no
general engagement had been begun.
japanese authorities declared today
their troops would be withdrawn from
Shanghai as soon as it was made GER
tain the Chinese Army would not again
enter the l2l mile zone, and the offer
brought Chinese and japanese peace
makers together again in hopeful at
moSphere.
Direct Farley Indicated.
The declaration stimulated hopes of
softening the attitude of the Chinese
government, which rejected former
peace proposals, declaring the Chinese
army would not be evacuated except
on withdrawal of the japanese forces.
Late this afternoon the indications
were that the proposed round-tanle
conference OF the neutral powers would
be discarded in favor Of a direct Sino-
japanese parley.
Mamoru Shigemitsu. japanese Minis
ter, declared Japan was willing to WITH
draw her troops at the earliest practical
moment. obviously" he said, Japan
is not anxious to maintain a large
army in the Shanghai area. Our forces
will evacuate the 1212-mile zone as
soon as there is positive assurance that
Chinese will not re-enter this area ana
again become threat to japanese lives
and property within the International
Settlement"
Early Conference Likely.
He said that although the time and
place for a new conference between
Chinese and japanese authorities was
not yet fixed, there was every likeh-
hood it would be held in a day or so.
The next move is up to the Chinese, }"
he said. I'VE are ready to talk peace
conditions at any time. II the Chinese
prefer direct negotiations to round
table conference we have no objections.
First, however it will be necessary to
arrange some kind of a truce. The
present situation, with the two armies
in contact along wide front, is fraught
with danger"
The United States Army transport
Grant arrived from Manila this after
noon bringing 1T infantrymen of the
31st Regiment to join the organization
here. The Grant also brought four
Army nurses and a large quantity of
supplies for the regiment. The Presi-
dent Jefferson is expected to arrive to-
morrow with another cargo Of supplies
for the 5000 American soldiers, sailors
and Marines now on duty here.
The long Japanese defense line
northwest of Shanghai was belstered
today by $4,000 more troops, newly ar
rived from Japan, and Chinese officials
said they feared an attack on Nam
king, the Chinese capital.
Skirmishes Continue.
Skirmishing went on, but there were
no major engagements. China's army
showed no disposition toward making
peace, but seemed to be hoping to
weaken the Japanese by long wait.
Because Of the prospect of an invasion
Of the capital, Sianfu. seat of Shensi
Province, was selected as an addi-
tional temporary capital with Honanfu
.doyang).
The Chinese strengthened their po-
sitions opposite the Japanese lines,
japanese naval authorities said, and
were concentrating forces at points in
the rear.
The japanese line began at Hwangtu,
few miles west of Nanziang on the
Shanghai-Nanking Railway, ran north
west into Kating and then northward
to the banks Of the YangtZe River near
Liuho.
Friction between japanese blue
Jacket patrols and foreign sightseerS
attempting to flock into the Chapel
and Kiangwan battle areas caused jap
anese military authorities to prohibit
any one entering those zones without
passes.
Edwin S. Cunningham, United States
consul general, was still awaiting a
reply from japanese authorities, to
whom he protested against the beating
of Miss Rose Marlowe, American mis-
sion teacher, by two Japanese in civilian
clothes last Friday.
Has Trouble With japanese.
II. D. Robinson. United States trade
commissioner, whose home is in Salt
Lake City, Utah, said today the Incl
dent Saturday in which he was beaten
by armed Japanese civilians was "triv-
ial" He said he reported the incident
to the United States consulate, but did
not favor protest to the japanese.
A Japanese army truck crowded him
off North Szechuen road, damaging his
car. When he sought to obtain the
drivers name the group of japanese
civilians gathered around him and
pushed him away. He said he was not
harmed
The Japanese, in requiring passes
from recognized authorities stating that
the holders we're entitled to enter the
battle zones, said the areas were unsafe
owing to debris and unexploded shells.
Several Americans seeking to look
over the areas attempted to oppose the
japanese patrols. They were elected
from the zones.
Dispatches from Kiangsi reported Sc
rious Communist outbreaks in the
southern part of Kiangsi Province last
night with the Communists laying
siege to Kanchow.
Provincial troops were opposing the
Communists, the dispatches said, while
1t was understood that the Chinese
National government had ordered three
divisions to go into Kiangsi and under
take to suppress the outbreaks.