Shanghai, Mar. 10.
The American Consulate-Generat yesterday sent a communication to the Japanese Consulate-General in connection with the destruction of American property in Ichang by Japanese bombers last week. Ques-Yioned at the press conference yesterday, the Embassy spokesman declared that it was not in the nature of a protest, but merely drew the attention of the Japanese authorities to the affair. It will be recalled that the American Consular authorities in Hankow had registered a protest with the Japanese over the property destruction, Hankow, Mar. 16.
Sian, capital of Shensi province and pivotal point in the Sino-Soviet "Red Route." was subjected to two alr raids in rapid succession by five Japanese army squadrons at about noon yesterday, the Japanese Expeditionary Force to Central China announced here today.
"Annihilating damage" was inleted upon the acrodrome and various military establishments in Sian by the discharge of bombs of huge dimensions, not used up to now, according to the communique.
All Japanese machines retitrned to their respective bases safely, not having encountered any Chinese aerial resistance.
Five other Japanese army air squadrons, yesterday morning raided the Pingliang acrodrome in eastern Kansu, 250 kilometres north-west of Sian, "Here. again, according to the announcement, Chinese aeroplanes did. not rise to give combat to the Japanese attackers.
At Sian, pilots reported, partieularly heavy damage was Infleted upon the Lunghai Railway station and
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.