Evening star., 1932-03-30
FIGHTING RENEWED
! IN SHANGHAI ZONE
Japanese and Chinese Clash
I as Peace Negotiations
Are Delayed.
~ the Associated Press,

SHANGHAI, March 3o.-A sharp
skirmish between Japanese and Chinese
forces at Chiawangmiao took place to-
Gay, according to Japanese military
authorities, punctuating a lull in the
peace parleys which are slated to be
resumed again tomorrow.
The japanese said the Chinese were
driven to the south side of Soochow
Greek, on the north side of which they
we're reported last week to have been
digging trenches and erecting defenses.
The Japanese notified British author
tiles then that drastic measures might
have to be taken to force the Chinese
to observe the limits fixed in General
Uyedas ultimatum of last February.
The Japanese peace negotiators,
meanwhile, charged the parleys were
being delayed because the Chinese dele
to make decisions and the Chinese
countered with charge that the
Japanese were trying to break up the
conference.
Chinese Resent Tactics.
Chinese ofhcia1 expressed strong re-
sentiment againsS the tactics of the
japanese, charging they were trying to
throw responsibility for the deadlock
on the Chinese
THE fundamental issue is the with
drawal of the JaSAnese troops from
Chinese territory said a statement
issued through the Chinese official Kuo-
MIN News Agency, but the Japanese
refuse to negotiate for its realization.
It seems they intend to maintain an
army of occupation sn the Chinese
territory adjacent 10 Shanghai in
definitely" =
The Chinese press featured reports
that the peace conference was doomed
to collapse. Other Observers also ex-
pressed the belief that the breach be-
tween the negotiators was widening.
Five japanese soldiers were wounded
when two motor trucks on the way to
the front lines struck submerged mines
near Kating. The Ja6enese said the
Chinese honeycombed wide area in
that section with explosives before they
retreated.
The municipal polick Of Shanghai re-
ported 81 civilians were killed and 216
wounded in the international Settle
ment during the per&cd of hostilities.
Their survey showed they said, that
3l4 projectileS fell within the Settle
ment during the fighting, damaging
262 buildings. Approximately 486, 900
persons were deprived Of the means Of
subsistence, they said, due to the shut
ting down of industries in the Settle
ment during the fighting
A noticeable increase in Sino-Japa-
nese military activity in the Chinese
suburb of Nantao, next to the French
concession, was being countered during
the day by the French who strength
ened the sandbag defenses along the
boundary.
Residents of Nantao have been nerv-
GUS ever since the opening of hostili-
ties here, fearing they might suffer the
fate of the citizens of Chapel. the other
large native section which was almost
annihilated during the fighting. The
Nantao Chinese feared the peace par
leys might break down and fighting
begin again in their area.
Patrols Are Reduced.
In the International Settlement,
however, the residents were resting in
confidence, with the military lines now
far removed from their boundaries.
The American, British and Italian pa
trols have been cut to about half the
strength maintained during the con-
flict. The defenses along the West and
North Settlement limits were being held
intact, however, ready to be manned in
stantly if the need should come.
The number of foreign troops in the
Settlement remained almost unchanged,
however. The United States Marines
continued to hold the Northwest sec
tors and the 31st United States In
fantry was alternating with the Brit
ish troops in guarding the Eastern
boundary. British forces were guard
ing the West boundaries.