Evening star., 1937-08-19

ward several thousand yards north OF
the American Shanghai University.
One Japanese report said the Chinese
were fleeing.
Major Offensive Expected.
Chinese artillery batteries opened
the seventh day of undeclared but
terrible war for Shanghai. at dawn.
| Smelling japanese land positions and
Warships in the Whangpoo River with
a heavy barrage fire believed to be
preparatory to major offensive.
Throughout the morning the big
guns roared in duel that increased
in crescendo, but before the expected
Chinese land attack could be launchd
the japanese struck.
The japanese attack was launched
behind counter -barrage that swept
both sides of the Whangpoo The in
dustrlal city of Pootung. on the east
bank across from Shanghai proper
was in flames. Some 35 900 Chinese
troops are intrenched here threaten
ing the Japanese from the rear
Chinese artillery was pounding the
japanese forces as they came forward
into position. Exceptionally numer-
Gus casualties were reported on both
sides. The shelling of the Japanese
troops east of Kiangwan was mur-
derously heavy.
Fires Cover the Area.
Fires were raging all over the area,
throwing up a giant curtain OF smoke
between Kiangwan and Shanghai
The flagship of the United States
Asiatic Fleet, the cruiser Augusta, in
the foreground of the Whangpoo
River, presented majestic picture
against the flre-enveloped kiangwal
and Woosung sector in the distance.
The Stars and Stripes f1uttered
from three points fore and aft in the
brilliant sun
Massed squadrons of Japanese
bombers were harrassing the entire
area from Chapel to kiangwan on the
west bank Of the Whangpoo and Poo
tung on the east.
japanese reports said Chinese
powder magazine and arsenal at
Nanking had exploded when it was
bombed by raiding Japanese planes
A fire was said to be raging in the
capital.
This great metropolis Of $500 900
persons went on truly wartime basis
today. Public utilities supplying the
essentials of the city's life and activ-
ity ordered utmost conservation OF
their services.
The huge plant Of the American
owned Shanghai Power Co. ordered
every possible economy. The plant.
which supplies Shanghai with electric
light and power, Is situated on the
banks Of the Whangpoo, deep within
the Japanese e-occupied territory.
The operators disclosed vital coal
supplies were running low and emer-
gency oil installations were being
rushed to maintain operations. The
city will be virtually lightless hence
forth, with the main current restricted
to hospitals, evacuation depots and
the like.
Rations on Wartime Basis.
Foreign communities already have
gone on wartime rations. The Amer
lean Club, which has become the great
downtown center of American inter-
ests, is feeding huge numbers OF peo-
pie. The. usually elaborate menus,
however, have been cut down to soup,
beef stew and bread.
Reinforcements were being rushed
here for the International Settlement
guard. TIL arrival of 1900 additional
French troops from Indo-China was
expected momentarily. They will bring
the total of foreigner troops in Shang-
hal to approximately 1000, with 1000
more on the warships lying In the har-
bor
The United States has ! 500 Marines
Great Britain. 2,l00 soldiers, ana
France, 100 soldiers and sailors.
With the Chinese able to bring al