Evening star., 1933-01-04
JAPANESE MOVE
TO LIMIT FIGHTING
Marshal Chang Refuses to
Hear Terms Offered
by Toxic.
Continued From First Page)


requested that any further commun!-
cations be addressed to the Nationalist
government at Marking.
Chinese forces were believed prepar-
ing for another battle south Of Shan
haikwan. whence they retreated yester-
day with a reported death toll Of 500
troops That city, dominating northern
land and sea gateways OF China, was
reported in runs. Japanese finally won
complete control after bitter street
fighting. in which many citizens were
killed or wounded.
In q letter to Gen. Kotaro Nakamura,
Japanese commander In North China,
sponsibility for the first clash between
japanese and Chinese troops at shan
ha!kwan on January !. He laid blame
for the incident at the door OF the
japanese
Ready to Negotiate.
1t was considered here that this re-
moved the possibility of settling the
Shanhaikwsn affair locally.
A Japanese legation spokesman, how
ever, said the Japanese were ready 10
negotiate a compromise settlement with
Marshal Chang II the Chinese COM
mander also was willing.
Change was warned Of the possible
consequences as soon as the incident
was reported here, but turned a deaf
ear to that warning, possibly because OF
G strong attitude adopted by his sub
ordinate generals. with whom he con-
ferred the evening Of January T." the
spokesman raid.
Marshal Chang was warned by Gen.
Nakamura and Japanese oficials here
that he would be held responsible for
developments arising from the Shan
haikWan incident and that further
action" against the Japanese would re-
suit in a grave situation in all North
China.
Next immediate movements by the
Japanese troops were expected to de-
termine whether they would start their
long predicted drive to annex Jehol to
Manchukuo, the Japanese-sponsored
Manchurian state, or whether they
would push further into China proper
along the railway leading to this an
cient capital.
Fear Southward Drive.
By holding Chinese troops of from
the south at Shanhaikwan and the
nearby eastern gate Of the Great Wall
of China, a march northwestward into
Jehol could proceed without expected
serious opposition. It is the logical way
to enter Jehol. also, by skirting this
mountain barrier between that province
and Manchuria.
Chinese were apprehensive, however,
of further southwark drive, with iso-
i faI Tfatr
wangtao, the great northern seaport
a few miles southwest of Shanhaikwar.
and also Of the Mukden- Peiping Rail-
road
Chinese forces were reported Wctori-
GUS in brief engagement at the sea
port in driving back Japanese marines
who attempted to land. A japanese
warship earlier was said to hive rhelled
Chinese regiment, forcing the troops
to turn back.
City's Wall Leveled.
japanese military leaders said their
troops did not intend 10 proceed far"
after pursuing Chinese soldiers a short
distance beyond Shanhaikwan. Part Of
the wall of that city was leveled after
yesterdays battle.
Japanese tanks were reported used
during street fighting which continued
after the japanese claimed complete oc-
cupation OF the city. LATEST Japanese
adyices said all was quiet there.
Chinese press dispatches told stir
ring tale of the fight staged by tbs
Shanhaikwan garrison before :uperio,
numbers and equipment drove them
frcm their stronghold in the walled city
One whole battalion was reported tc
have been wiped out while hundreds oi
civilians we're said to have been killed
when the city was subjected to an in.
tense bombardment by the Japanese
land, sea and air forces
The Chinese clung to their wrecked
defensss. and when japanese Infantry
surged into the city fierce hand-to-h hand
fighting occurred In the streets.
Chinese Reform Forces
Chinese officials here estimate thu
Chinese militsry casualties at i,700
Civilian casualties were described as ex.
tremsly heavy.
Admiral Sir Howard Kelly, com.
mander- -in-chief of the British Chins
| staten. today ordered the British sloop,
Bridsewater and Folkestone to proceed
to Chinwangtao to safeguard British
interests in the Shanhaikwan area
Eleven japanese warships are now lyinl