Evening star., 1933-01-03
both SIDES CLAIM
{ VICTORY IN CLASH
Reports Conflict on Result
/ of Fighting Over City
II of ShanhaikWan.
tcontinued From First Page.l

and Peiping, which carries on the bulk
of its commerce through Tientsin.
Both sides expected the next imme-
iiate developments would determine
whether the trouble would be locallzed
or would spread into Jehol, the Cnlnese
buffer state to Manchuria since ltS oc-
cupation by japanese, and would IN
volve the Tientsin and Peiping areas,
protected for so many centuries by the
Great Wall extending westward.
Lieut.. Gen Kotaro Nakamura, Japa-
nese commander of the treaty patrol at
Tientsin, blamed subordinates of Gen.
Chang Hsiao-Liang, former Chinese
governor Of Manchuria, for the trouble.
IF your forces attempt further action
against us a grave situation Will result
in all North China" he warned the
Ehinese commander.
Lieut.. Gen. Nakamura'S troops were
the first involved in the fighting at
Shanhaikwan. They were stationed in
the area under the 1901 agreement,
whereby the United States, Great Brit
ain, France and Italy also were per-
omitted to station troops on the Peiping
toute to the sea.
Japan Claims Victory.
A Rengo (Japanese) News dispatch
from Tientsin said Japanese commenced
Ia general offensive against Shanhai-
lkwan at 9 am. yesterday from both
band and sea. 1t said it began after
farrival of destroyers and reinforcements
iof military troops. A severe battle was
kreported which, the japanese military
Areports said, ended in complete victory
My pm.
II Japanese planes also were reported
slengaged in the battle. dropping bombs
[ Ion the Chinese city. The japanese
Iclaimed two bombs were found in
Japanese sentry box Sunday evening
land so troops which had been stationed
lin suburb were sent to the city to
lprotect Japanese residents. The battle
ensued.
While press dispatches described Sc
we're fighting In the coastal district
iscuthward and westward from Shan
haikwan, with the japanese destroyers
Fuyo and Asagao and numerous army
airplanes participating, 1t was authori-
ltstively learned the Toxic government
has decided to endeavor to localize the
iconfiict.
1t was learned a conference of war
bfice and foreign Office officials agreed
instructions would be sent to Gems.
Afuto and Nakamura, the Japanese COM
manders in the region, to seek an end
of the fighting before it spreads fur
kher.
It was reported both Ministers agreed
the dangers of friction with foreign
troops existed. These included Ameri-
can troops stationed on the Peiping-
Shanhaikwan Railway in accordance
with the 1901 Boxer protocol.
Operation Unjustified.
It was said further the japanese in
4ereSts in that locality were so small
major operation was unjustiied.
The assertions of Toxic military lead
ers that the Shanhaikwan clash was not
anticipated appeared confirmed by the
deserted appearance Of the war office
land general staff quarters, which re-
manned closed through the New Year
holidays without interruption.
The navy, however, continued to take
Aprecautions. Rear Admiral Shizuye
Tsuda, commanding japanese forces in
North China waters, was aboard the
flagship, the cruiser Hirato, en- route to
Shanhaikwan from Tsingtao. Other
warships at the Sasebo naval base were
lprdered In readiness to steam to Shan
haikwan ct moments notice.
A war Office spokesman said the
Japanese army was desirous of local
'izing the Shanhaikwan conflict and
had ordered the field commander to
prevent the spread of hostilities. Much
depends, however, upon whether the
Chinese leaders cooperate sincerely in
the efforts to restore peace" said the
spokesman
Gen. Hochukuo," he said, "has pro-
posed a truce, but at the same time he
is bringing up reinforcements. 1t is
not possible, therefore, to say definitely
that the fighting will be localized or to
predict where it is likely to spread. I
can say, however, that the clash at
Shanhaikwan was entirely unforeseen
by our side and was in nowise con-
nected with the intentions of the Japa-
nese army ultimately to make Jehol
unmistakably part Of Manchukuo."