Canton, Feb. 6.
Several Japanese warships shelled Tanka, south-west of Macao, early this morning and later landed a number of troops in the near-b Chikiau Island, according to usually reliable Chinese sources, Some circles here suggest that the Japanese are possibly establishing n base there in order to carry out operations on the mainland, but the more popular opinion is that they were merely exercising, as previously.
In any case, Canton is not particularly perturbed by the news. 1t is pointed out that there are strong Chinese defences in that district.
The Japanese bombardment to-day was clearly heard in Macao.—Reuter Bocca Tigris Forts Shelled Canton, Feb. 6.
The Bocca Tigris Forts, at the mouth of the Pearl River, were again bombarded by three Japanese gunboats at $10 am. yesterday. More than twenty Japanese aeroplanes also joined in the bombardment.
Tire was immediately returned by ibe Forts, The duel between the Chinese shore batteries and the Japanese naval guns continued until 947 nm. when the Japanese gunboats retired.
In the course of the bombardment, it is reported that the Forts made two direct hits on one Japasese gunboat, and one direct hit on each of the other two gunboats Two Chinse soldiers in the, Forts were wounded.
Japanese aeroplanes made seven raids in the Canton-Hankow, Canton-Kowloon and Canton-Samshui Rail. way zone yesterday. Many houses were demolished, while several portions of railway tracks were damaged.
In, accordance with instructions from General Chiang Kai-shek, extra-precautionary measures have been adopted by General Vu—Han-mou, Pacification Commissioner for Kwangtung. The various wild rumours which have been circulating in Canton in the past two days ere gradually dying down, and the situation is returning to normal.—Kuo Min.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.