The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1937-08-21
U. S. OFFICIALS WAIT
ON SMELLING REPORT
CONTINUED from page ID

/ ldrneil fepflmanueu poth
pan and China after consultation
with the American consul-generai,
Clarence E. Gauss.
The Augusta, flagship of the
/ Asiatic fleet, was damaged and II
was believed American authorities
may demand a full investigation
of the incident and indemnity
from the nation responsible.
The shell that struck the Au-
gusta was tentatively established
as an anti-aircraft shell. At the
time Japanese warship anchored
less than a quarter of mile from
the Augusta, was Smelling Chinese
airplanes raiding the japanese
Third Battle Fleet
The shell plopped into the gath
ering and exploded without warn
ing.
/ A shrapnel slug pierced Fal-
gout's heart and he died instantly.
He was killed within a few hours
of his 21st birthday-Aug. 21.
! The others wounded chiefly
were hit in the legs by low-flying
shrapnel.
An the ships company imme-
diately was summoned to battle
stations. =,
1t was suggested that the shell
might have fallen from Japa-
nese warship about 200 yards
away-the nearest war vessel to
the Augusta. =.
Behind the Augusta, some dis
lance away, were anchored the
u. S. S. Sacramento and Isabel
and the British sloop Falmouth.
The British destroyers Duncan,
Diana, Duchess and Delight of the
9Th Destroyer Flotilla were near
by as were the French ships La
te-Pisquot, a cruiser and Du-
mont D'Urville and the Savorg-
nan Brazza, sloops.
The Augusta was at the foot OF
Kiugiang road which pierces the
heart of the Anglo-American area
of the International Settlement.
1t was within 1900 yards of the
big American Club, housing hun
dreds of American refugees.
The origin of the shell had not
been definitely determined early
today but it was believed certain
that it was Japanese since Japa-
nese warships in the immediate
vicinity of the Augusta were mr.
ing with everything they had at
the time.
The American position was that
the United States had the right to
hold Japan responsible if it is
proved the shell was fired from a
Japanese ship.
There was an inferno Of Tight
ing when the explosion came,
throwing a greenish-yellow glare
over the stern of the Augusta.
Part of the crew of more than
500 men of the 9-050-ton flag
ship were at their battle stations
Nets had been put out for pro-
lection against floating mines but
there was no protection from the
air.
The shell fell on the Augusta
deck from high angle.
Consul General Gauss immedl-
ately was notified and, with Ad-
miral Yarnell, informed the Chi,
nese and Japanese diplomatic and
naval authorities of what had hap
pened.
Earlier two shells from a Japa-
nese warship anchored near the
japanese consulate general at the
left end of the international bund
had fallen at the extreme right
end of the roadway which paral-
lels the Whangpoo river in front
of the International Settlement
and damaged two buildings.
These shells hit in French ter
ritory and pierced buildings on
the French bund near the point
where the avenue Edward VIII
enters the international water
front area.
The Smelling followed "a hours
of tension between the U. 5. Brit
ish and other foreign naval com.
manders and the japanese ana
Chinese.
The British and U. s. comman-
ders had refused to limit the
movements of their ships in re.
spouse to a japanese demand, and
they had rejected Chinese de-
mand that they force the Japa-
nese warships. to withdraw from
the battle area or accept the con-
sequences"
Admiral Yarnell notified Ad-
miral Kiyoshi Hasegawa, com,
manding the Japanese forces, that
international law permits the free
movement of U. S. warships on
the Whangpoo river and that the
u. S. armed vessels will move
where and when their comman-
ders find it necessary. ..
He pointed out that U. 5. ships
at night carry running lights and
can be identified easily.