hia: troops are making "successful progress" on four of the known fronts on which they have landed—near Liuho, at Woosung, at Chwangsha east of Shanghai on the Pootung delta, and at Chapoo.
Other landings were indicated as possible by the Japanese authoritie?y esterday, but in the absence of Chinese reports, were not confirmed.
A stern warning that Chinese forces which have been stationed in Pootung might cross the river into Nantao and thereby force the Japanese to bomb a thickly populated Chinese area was issued yesterday by the Japanese military authorities.
Late last night it was reported from independent sources that many Chinese troops who had been stationed in the area threatened by the Japanese landing near Chwangsha were crossing the Whangpoo, but whether they were going to the south of Nantao could not be gauged.
The Japanese thrust from the Yangtze coast forced back the Chinese for many a mile yesterday. Late last night there were big naval guns re~ infareing their advance. Chinese reports of victories were gevierally discounted in foreign circles, where the developments of the last few weeks had been closely watched. Against six or eight-inch naval guns, all the Chinese could produce were lowitzers of comparatively small calibre, and these seemed to be busy pouring shells into the already blazing Wayside district.
A Japanese military spokesman yesterday declared that all the Japanese landings were "progressing satisfactorily." He refused to commit himself any further than to say that the Japanese had landed wherever the Chinese had admitted they had, but that the Chinese reports of their "decimation" or "liquidation" would prove themselves in the next day or so to be unfounded. The Japanese, he said, had no reason at all to be discouraged by what they had already done.
That means that landings have been made by the Japanese above Liuho, at Woosung and CKlaochow, at Pailungehang. just north of Chwangsha, and at Chapoo. There is some doubt about the purpose of the attack on Chapoo, and it may be possible that only a small force has been put ashore, Should the Japanese attacks elsewhere prove to be failures, however, this landing should certainly be of value.
The Chinese claim to have the situation well in hand on all According to official bulletins the Japanese have been unable to push their troops beyond the coastline, and some communiques claim that they have been driven k to their ships.
Late last night heavy Japanese naval guns from warships in the Yanatze rained shells on the Chinese positions near Chenju and that neighbourhood, Chinese replied with occational howitzer fire which landed in the already blazing sections of the Wayside district, with apparently little direct effect on the: general military situation. that they were still holding their positions. Chinese positions along Boundary Road and Padshan Road vere greatly strengthened yesterday. but there were few soldiers to be seen.
Japanese aero yesterday morning dropped bombs in the neighbourhood of the Kiangnan arsenal, and it was reported the least three bombs hit the Kianggan dockyard.
'A considerable blaze could be seen from that area during yesterday afternoon, but no details of the Gamage, done could be obtained.
It was possible yesterday to get some idea of the damage done by the spectacular air raids of the night before. To the north of the Settlement there was heavy fighting. but too far from Shanghai for accurate inform: tion to be obtained. On the river there were periodical naval bdmbardments, while Japanese naval—guns attempted to silence Chinese ~heavy artillery on the Pootung shore, which were dropping shells into the Hongkew area, There was also some street fighting in the Wayside are:
During the first raid on Tuesday night—or rather, early _yesterda morning—the Chinese planes apparently dropped no bombs. They flew over the Hongkew district, apparently towards Woosung. At 130 am. there was another raid when several bombs were dropped, One of these is reported to have hit the corner of Boone Road and North Szechuen Road,. and it was believed to have caused a fire which broke out at that intersection, As in the first raid the bombers were greeted by heavy anti-. Jaireraft fire from the Japanese ship in the river, Other bombs were dropped during the night in the vicinity of Macgregor and Ward Roads, with the damage being uncertain yesterday. Wayside, Hongkew, and West Hongkew districts had their ration of shelling during the night, but there "was accurate information of the vantage done.
In a press interview yesterday afternoon a Japanese military spokesman was asked if the Japanese were taking prisoners, He replied—that they were, They have about thirty Chinese prisoners at present, and all are being well treated, he said.
Tin Mill Bombed A report was received yesterday that a Japanese tin mill situated in the Lincoln Avenue district was bombed by four planes at 9 o'clock yesterday morning. It appears that jerries were being used to carry away loot from the mill.
The planes directed machine gun fire from low altitude, causing considerable alarm among those in the vicinity, Two foreigners were eye wi nesses of the affair: so far no casualties have been reported
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.