Evening star., 1937-07-27
BY the Associated Press.

BY he AsSociate ted Press.
PEIPING, July 27.-United States
Marines prepared sandbag fortiflca-
tions for the gates of the international
Legation Quarter this afternoon after
q Japanese ultimatum for evacua-
ton of Chinese troops from the tense
region west of Peiping had expired in
an atmosphere of strict Japanese
military secrecy.
The American contingent was as
signed to guard four gates of the
legation Quarter against any hostili-
ties that might break out If China
failed to comply with Japan's de-
mands
Foreign circles seemed alarmed over
japanese ultimatum tomorrow noon
demanding evacuation of China's 9th
Division troops from Peiping itself.
Meanwhile, the Chinese Central
government, in a sharp statement
generally interpreted as amounting to
rejection of Japanese terms for set
tling the North China dispute. de-
clared any future developments depend
on Japan.
The statement. issued by the foreign
Office, said China had exhausted every
effort for peace with Japan and could
not accept responsibility for what
happened in North China from
now on.
1t charged that the japanese North
China Army made an "unprovoked
attack on the Chinese garrison at
Langfang" and then presented i'm
possible demands and staged provoca-
tive acts on the outskirts Of Peiping."
Bombing Rumor Heard.
1t was rumored japanese military
leaders had threatened to bomb this
ancient capital If China failed to
comply. but other reports declared
Japan had given foreign powers assur-
ances the city. with a heavy interna-
tional population, would be spared
such action.
This dispatch from the Associated
Press correspondent in Peiping, sent
snon after the flr;t noon deadline ex-
pired. was delayed l0l2 hours in
reaching New York;
BY midafternoon the legation quar-
ter had taken on the aspect of ex-
pected siege. The streets were jammed
with baggage-laden cars and all hotels
were crowded with foreigners and
wealthy Chinese. Provision stores
were rationing bread and other neces-
stiles
There was no confirmation for one
report that Gen. Sung Cheh-yuan, the
Chinese North China warload, had or
dered the 37th Division to withdraw.
Apparently the Sino-J japanese dead
lock held.
Japanese authorities piled sandbag
fortiflcations around windows and
doors of the Yokohama Specie Banks
Offices. and all police forces of the
foreign quarter were standing by for
instant action.
The strictest secrecy also veiled the
actions of Chinese military forces, and
authorities declined to disclose whether
soldiers Of the 37th Division had Quit
the area west of Peiping, as Japan
demanded. CUnconfirmed reports at
Marking said China had rejected the
Japanese demands)
tPeiping dispatches gave no con-
firmation Of japanese reports that 800
Chinese had been virtually ami
hilated" by Japanese bombing planes
and infantry in clash IL miles east
Of the ancient capitaD
Semi Emergency Exists.
A state Of semi-emergency existed in
the Peiping legation quarter as thou
sands of Japanese nationals, ordered
to concentration points by their EN-
bassy, poured into the crowded section
after being subjected to stern scrutiny.
The British Embassy advised all
British women and children to take
refuge in the quarter against possible
outbreaks, and it was understood the
German and French Embassies had
taken similar precautions.
The United States Marines arranged
. system of signals-blue and white
fiags by day and red and white lights
at night-to summon Americans to
the compound in the event Of danger
American Embassy officials. how
ever, took no precautionary action fur
ther than those under instructions
issued two weeks ago, shortly after the
North China tension arose.
japanese planes circled low over the
city while a detachment Of 800 Jap
aness troops reached the embassy to
reinforce the guards on duty there
The japanese detachment was
(see CHINA, Page A-S)