Evening star., 1937-10-03
Shansi Coal, Iron
Mines Seizure
Imminent.
TROOPS STORM
TAICHOW WALLS
Gates Forced Open
AfterTWO-HOur
Struggle.

Desire tor control OF natural
resources OF China-coal and
irOn-one aim OF Japan in seek
ing economic domination OF ASiatic
mainland Japan poor in these eS-
Sentials of industry, is striving to
enlarge its foreign trade. but must
buy raW materials abroad. Re-
armament program also requires
rdst quantities OF these minerals.
Campaign in north has progressed
steadily While driue to capture
Shanghai has stalled against su-
perior forces OF Chinese detenses.
BY the Associated Press.
PEIPING, October 2.-The richest
coal and iron deposits in China were
almost within the grasp of Japan to-
night.
japanese troops moved southwark
through Shansi province toward them
after capturing the city Of Taichow
by darins and fierce assault.
The wealthy Shansi mines have
been guarded jealousy for the last
80 years by the famous war lord, Yen
Hsi-shan, but he is now enfeebled with
age and the invaders expect him to
offer no resistance to the seizure of
the province and its treasure.
Brave Maneuver Cited.
Taichow's capture resulted from
what Japanese militarists described as
one of the bravest maneuvers of the
North Chin. warfare
Possessing no artillery heavy enough
to shatter the citys wall or great
gates, which we're still intact after
several air raids. the japanese were
compelled to storm the walls with
squads of picked men, these sources
said.
In the face of a hail of machine
gun and rifle bullets the japanese
fighters managed to Chamber to the top
of the walls From that position they
engaged in a two-hour battle with the
Chinese defenders entrenched in the
streets and on the rooftops.
Finally mopping up the area
around the main gate with showers of
hand grenades. a daredevil group
dropped to the streets and swung
open the gate for the army waiting
outside.
Chinese resistance in the city was
quelled as the entire japanese force
stormed into the streets. The Chinese
forces withdrew, leaving more than
800 dead, japanese estimated.
japanese Take Sangyuan.
On the eastern front the japanese
captured Sangyuan on the Tientsin-
Pukow Railroad
They said that the fall Of Sang
yuan signified the end of Chinese re-
sistance in Shantung Province and
the disintegration Of the entire Chi
nese fortified line stretching west
ward
Foreign observers stated that the
mechanical columns of Japan had
broken the back of Chinese resist
ance north of the Yellow River.
Sanctions Appeal Waits.
GENEVA, October 2 GP.-Dr. v. K
Wellington Koo, Chinese delegate to
the League of Nations, declared to-
night that China is demanding that
the League take the maximum prac-
tical measures against Japan"
He added, however, that direct
sanctions against Japan have not yet
been asked, and he appeared to be-
lieve that sanctions are not a neces-
sary sequel to any possible League
verdict declaring Japan an aggressor
DR.. Koo said the present campaign
is restricted to an effort to have Japan
declared an aggressor and to obtain
a League ruling that the Japanese
blockade of China is illegal.
Shanghai Offensive Stalled.
SHANGHAI, October Sunday
R.-Japan's tremendous offensive by
land, sea and air buckled for the sixth
(See PEIPING, Page A-4)