Evening star., 1937-09-20
Tomorrow Noon Is
Deadline in
Ultimatun.
STAFF TO FLEE
ON RIVER BOAT
Morning Raids Add
Point to Plans
of Invaders.
BACKGROUND

6AChIhOOND-
Undeclared Sino-Japdnese War
has been carried into heart OF
China as result of Shanghai fight
ing. phich began August after
killing OF ttco japanese at Hunojao
Airdron1e. japanese air forces
haze bombed Marking IL times
since start of hostilities. Ameri-
can Ambassador Nelson T. John
SON and members OF Embassy stat
constantly under peril from bombs.
~ the Associated Press.
SHANGHAI, September 90 The
American Embassy staff decided TO-
night to leave Nanking in the face
OF . japanese threat to lay waste to
the Chinese capital, emphasized by a
morning aerial raid in which 40 ci-
villains were killed and 40 homes
destroyed.
United States Ambassador Nelson
johnson, with his aides, worked
feverishly to transfer documents to the
American patrol boat, Luzon, for the
trip 80 miles up the Yangtze to Wuhu.
Amid the rush Of evacuation, john
BON said: II am too unhappy to speak.
This Is the first time in 80 years of
service that I am forced to leave my
post.
But, under instructions from Wash.
ington, cannot risk the lives of loyal
star men. am not deserting, and
hope to return to Nanking by motor
during the enforced absence Further
more, the Luzon and the Guam, which
also Is going to Wuhu, can reach Nam
king In few hours If the emergency
requires"
Only II Americans TO Stay.
OF Markings peacetime American
population Of $50, only seven men, in
eluding two newspaper men and five
missionaries, ana four women are re-
manning In Nanking after noon Tues
day.
The Embassy stan planned to leave
for Wuhu early tomorrow morning,
thereby observing . demand by the
Japanese naval force. The Japanese
had warned that foreigners would face
danger Of death from the air begin
ming 1T noon Tuesday. japanese ON
cials declared Japan would not be re-
sponsible for loss Of foreign life after
that hour.
Britain, France Spurns Demand.
British and French naval COM
mAnders refused Japanese demand
that they move their warships up the
Yangtze and out of the range of fire
The warships would remain, admiral.
representing the two nations asserted
20 long as the British and French
embassies and their citizens remain
IN the China capital.
Johnson's decision to withdraw
reused bitter disappointment among
Nanking oficials, some Of whom fell
that the Ambassador should remair
as = gesture Of loyalty and sympathy
with China's cause in the conflict with
Japan.
The British, Russian, German anc
italian Embassies decided to remain
at least for the moment, and British
and French naval commanders warnet
Japanese that they would be helt
strictly responsible for any loss of lif.
or damage to property Of their ma
tionals.
The American commander in chic
OF the United States Asiatic Fleet
Admiral Harry Yarnell, likewise de-
clared that the Luzon and her siste
ship, the Guam, would protect Amer
ican nationals. Withdrawal of tn
EMBASSY staff. however, paved the wa
for withdrawal of the war craft-a
requested by the Japanese.
Bombardment Lasts 3 Hours.
The Japanese planes, in relays Q
six to squadron, sub iected Nankin
TO terrific bombardnlent for thre
hours during the morning, aiming q
Marking government buildings, bu
striking residences instead.
The American Embassy staff wi
(See CHINA, Page A-3)