Evening star., 1938-07-11
China
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Kai-shek's chief air base in Central
China.
Sinyang. on the Peiping -Hankow
Railway 100 miles north of Hankow.
Yochow and Changsha, on the
Canton -Hankow Railway south of
the provisional capital.
Kiukiang, Yangtze River city
where Chinese have constructed a
boom 1875 miles below Hankow to
block the japanese advance.
Will Respect Neutrality.
The spokesman said the neutrality
Of the French concession in Hankow
would be respected, but that he had
no knowledge of any refugee zone in
that area for Chinese civilians He
did not say when the threatened aerial
campaign would begin.
Japanese planes already were &C.
tive in the Yangtze Valley. bombing
Nanchang and Hangyang airflelds
and the boom across the river 80
miles upstream from Kiukiang. A
Japanese report said five buildings
were set afire at Nanchang and that
four Chinese planes we're destroyed
and two damaged at Hangyang.
The United States gunboat Monoc-
acy and the British gunboat Cock
chafer we're reported to have moved
three miles up the Yangtze from their
stations at Kiukiang as japanese
warships shelled Chinese defenses of
the city.
japanese Grateful.
The Japanese naval spokesman
said he did not know whether the
Monocacy's withdrawal from Kill
kiang was result of Saturdays re-
quest but that the japanese Navy was
grateful for this at least seeming
act of courtesy"
British authorities confirmed re-
ports that the gunboat Cockchafer
had moved up the river three miles,
taking load of British citizens
mostly shipping and oil company en-
ployes They said the withdrawal
was only a temporary measure and
the vessel would return to Kiukiang
as soon as possible.
Report Two Gunboats Sunk.
Advices from Hankow said Chinese
planes bombed japanese vessels near
Kiukiang, sinking two which were
believed to have been gunboats. The
Chinese also reported one of their
air squadrons had bombed japanese
warship concentration off Anking, 80
miles down river from Kiaukiang
sinking one ship and damaging an
other.
Meanwhile. land forces still were
fighting around Hukow and Pengtseh,
between Anking and Kiukiang, where
they have been deadlocked for sew
eral days.
Japanese shock troops were reported
attempting to cross Lake Poyang, Just
east Of Kiukiang. for a round about
overland attack on Hankow by way
Of Nanchang.
Claim Kiukiang Still Held.
HANKOW, July II P.-Chinese
said today their troops still held Kill
kiang and strong positions command
ing the approaches to this important
Yangtze River port 1875 miles east of
Hankow.
The commander of the United
States gunboat Monocacy, anchored
3 miles up the river from the city,
reported no heavy gunfire was audible.
Other sources in Kiukiang said the
Chinese defenders were demolishing
certain structures for the purpose of
clearing field of fire and to prevent
possible use by the Japanese.
Ten American missionaries of the
Methodist and Seventh-day Adventist
Churches were reported remaining at
their posts in Kiukiang, while so
Americans were remaining at Kuling,
nearby mountain resort.
Two American officials and the
Chinese staff of the Standard Oil Co.
at Kiukiang have taken precaution-
ary refuge aboard q small tanker tied
UP near the Monocacy.