Japanese Warship Hit by Chinese Shells Canton, Sept. 14.
Five Japanese warships bombarded the Bocca Tigris forts, half way between Canton and Hongkong, from 5 to 6 o'clock this morning. While ihe forts were returning the fire. Chinese planes took to the air and bombed the attackers. The machines returned at 6.50 after allegedly damaging two Japanese warships.
Admiral Chan Chak, commander of the Bocca Tigris forts, telephoned to Canton after the engagement that one Japanese cruiser and four destroyers took part in the bombardment, Chinese planes, he said. reported that Chinese shells landed on the waterfront beyond the warships, and then suddenly registered two direct hits. The Admiral added that the damage to the forts was negligible, An official source reports that, after the engagement, the five Japanese warships went down-river, One is said to have been damaged by a shell on the bridge and another hit by a bomb, emitting a cloud of smoke, The forts, it is added, were not hit, three shells falling just short. No Japanese planes took part in the attack, Partial closure of the Pearl River has been effected by the Chinese authorities, who have sunk an old hulk and two junks filled with cement in shallow water at the second bar. about six miles below Whampoa, Only a narrow channel is now open in the river through which vessels can be taken.—Reuter.
The following telegram was received yesterday from the Chinese Customs authorities in Kowloon:.
The Customs Station at Samun, near Hongkong to the East, heavily bombarded yesterday by Japanese cruiser and two destroyers with shells and shrapnel, Staff evacuated.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.