Evening star., 1937-12-09
Japan THREATENS
NANK|NG HORRORS
UNLESS It YIELDS
Matsui's UItimatum De-
mands Surrender by
II Pm. Tonight.
THREE U. S. DIPLOMATS
QUIT NANKING EMBASSY
Take Refuge on Gunboat Panay
After Providing Maximum
Safety for Americans Left.
BACKGROUND

BACKGROUND
Preparations TOR Showdown bat
tie at Marking hare gone toruurd
since completion OF Japdn's Shang-
hal campaign nearly month uoo.
japanese troops hare tolowed re-
treating Chinese to the so-called
'Htndenburg' line, uhich Uds er-
pected to stabtlise tCartdre. and noU
are stormtng gates OF capital epuc-
udted several ceeks ago by the gou-
ernment.
By the Associated Press.
SHANGHAI, Dec. 9.-The Japanese
command issued an ultimatum today
demanding the surrender Of Chinaf
abandoned capital, Nanking, by moor
Friday N1 pm. Thursday, E. S. t.
and threatening that otherwise the
city will become the scene of the
horrors of war"
The ultimatum was issued by Gen
1wane Matsui, commander of the JAP
anese forces in the Shanghai-NankirS
area, to the Chinese commander, Gen.
Tang Seng-chi.
A japanese warplane dropped a
further communication to Nanking.
Abandonment of resistance will
spare the city, its historic relics and
spots of beauty" it promised.
Tanks Reported in Capital
Japanese tanks were reported to have
entered the southeast gate of Marking,
and the Japanese Army spokesman n pre-
dicted capture of the city within "a
hours. The spokesman declared
Chinese still were resisting and added
that there would be a major battle if
the resistance continued.
Domei (Japanese) News Agency said
observers in airplanes saw the tanks
entering the southeast city gate. Domei
also said japanese had entered Wuhu
Yangtze River port so miles upstream
!, from Marking.
Simultaneous reports from Nam
king said Chinese still held posi-
tions around the city in spite of
day-long japanese aerial lombard
ment)
tThe three remaining members
of the American embassy staff at
Marking took refuge last night
aboard the gunboat Panay in the
Yantze River)
Chinese artillery firing from strongly
fortified Purple Mountain, which over
looks Nanking, kept japanese from
frontal attack on the eastern wall of
the city, where latest reports were
that IA Americans remained
Shanghai Again Hears Firing.
Shanghai itself heard the boom of
anti-aircraft guns after days of quiet.
The japanese flagship Idzumo fired
Is shells into overcast skies. Japanese
and foreign reports were that two
Chinese planes had flown over the
ship.
Japanese said their army and navy
air forces made heavy attacks on Nam
king and surrounding territory
I'LL ouSliuuG bllC Ody W bdSh uP odp-
anese armies encircling the city Army
flyers were said to have raided Nam
chang, where Generalissimo Chang
Kai-shek was reported in residence.
Wuhu had been the object Of jap
anese attacks for "a hours. Many fires
were reported raging there.
Main japanese forces were said to
be about 5 miles south and east.
Chinese said spirited battles along the
defense ring around the capital had
cost japanese 2,400 casualties and loss
of the village of Shangchousu.
Two Chinese regiments, Chinese
said, fought their way out of surround
ing Japanese forces at Kuyung and
joined the Marking defenders.
Marking Gate Reported Taken.
Japanese military authorities de-
clared one o. their columns had cap
tured the Chilin (Unicorn) gate in an
outer wall, but the report was not
confirmed
Independent foreign sources told of
seeing a japanese warship fiotilla
(See SHANGHAI, Page A-4)
lnNAI TOTO nFnnnT