Evening Star Newspaper, February 29, 1932, Page 4

CHINESE DRIVEN BACK AT CHAPE! Rrtillery Opens Up as 5,000 More Japanese Troops Arrive. (Continued From First Page.) night as the ferocity of Julled. ‘Tonight the clouds above Woosung ‘were aglow from a great fire started by Japanese shells in the outskirts of the wrecked town, and the bombardment was still going on. Shell Damages U. S. Mission. Apparently this was intended to pre- vent activity by Chinese artillery against the raiflroad yaras south of ‘Woosung Creek, where several thousand newly arrived Japanese troops were quartered. Several truckloads of Japanese infan- try with a large quantity of stores and ammunition moved from the Yangize wharves to the Japanese headquarters &t Kiangwan tonight. During the day’s fighting the Ameri- can Southern Baptist Mission was damaged again when a shell tore through the wall of one 0f the school buildings. This has happened several times pre- viously and each time a protest has been registered by the American au- thorities. The property 1s owned by the Southern Baptist Cnurch of Rich- mond, Va. ‘The Japanese said they lost two killed and nine wounded in today's battle. A blistering barrage laid down by their feld guns in Hongkew Park was a signal for their surprise attack. Under the protection of the artillery their engineers bridged Hongkew Creek and then, led by two armored cars and two tanks, the bluejackets scattered the the battle Chinese front line forces with hand grenades. Further Advance Balked. A further advance was balked, how- ever, by the stubborn resistance of the Chinese secondary defenses. Shrapnel was used with deadly ef- fect on the fieeing Chinese. The latter, however, constantly swept the barbed wire entanglements with a rain of machine gun and rifle fire, which im- peded the progress of the Japanese drive. ‘While the bluejackets slowly pushed their line forward, Japanese airplanes subjected the Chinese positions in the Tear to a continual rain of high ex- plosive bombs, apparently in an effort to destroy Chinese gun emplacements| these soldiers are. Above: Chinese defenders photographed alongside their armored train just south of Shanhaikwan. Below: Chinese troops on the march along the borders of the Japanese concession at Tientsin. Note how young —Wide World Photos. They estimated that 1,600 deteriorat- ing dead lay within the shattered mud A number of bombs were dropped along the Shanghai-Nanking Railroad at the Markham Road yards. At noon Japanese naval authorities said 5000 additional soldiers from Japan had arrived within the last 18 hours. Most of the reinforcements were landed at Woosung, 16 miles away, but those aboard the transports came into the International Settlement, were dis- embarked on the Japanese wharves and proceeded from there to their quarters. Attack Called Protective Move. 'The heavy guns of today’s battle be- gan to roar soon after daylight and many Shanghai residents went to their offices to the accompaniment of the explosions. As the afternoon wore on there was no cign of a slackening of the heavy firing. Japanese said the attack was not an offensive but was made to pro- tect the newly arrived troops, who were meving into the lines from just north of Chapei all along the front toward Eae i e e afternoon, although the shelling had gone on for hours, the ;I;'n;s of both forces had not budged an nch. It was believed many Chinese civil- {ans must have perished in the area be- yond the Chinese lines, into which large numbers of the Japanese shells fell. The Chinese moved in additional forces of infantry behind their front line bar- ricades, apparently expecting & Japa- nese infantry advance, but none came. The continuous sheets of Chinese ma- chine gun fire seemed enough to dis- courage any attempt to push the Japa- ! nese line forward. Two truckloads of wounded Chinese civilians were brought from Chapei into the Settlement late in tne afternoon through the lines held Ly the United States Marines. More than 100 other wounded Chinese straggled into a Chi- nese relief station in tne western por- tion of the Chapei area, well within Tange of the Japanese anells. Chinese relief workers said their work was con- tinuing at the Chapei station in spite of the danger from the artillery fire, Wind Forces Planes Down. In the afternoon a strong wind forced the Japanese airplanes down, but the artillery continued to pound away. As a result of the arrival of the new troops at Woosung the water front there and at the Japanese positions behind it became extremely active again after many days of virtual desertion. When I arrived there the forces were all landed. Immense plles of supplies were heaped up by the water's edge. Most of it seemed to be ammunition. ‘The soldiers were carrying large numbers of pistols, rifles and machine-guns into the camp and others were testing these arms by raining bullets into_the sur- face of the muddy Whangpoo River, ap- parently seeking to determine if the guns were in good condtion. No ships were visible, although more were expected, and it seemed likely that & complete new division would be landed by tomorrow morning. While I prowled within the Japanese | camp unchallenged, several Japanese seaplanes appeared nearby and dropped @ few bombs on the Woosung forts and the surrounding territory, apparently to keep any Chinese there well within their dugouts and to forestall any possibility of the Chinese opening up oh the new troops from the guns in the fort, within easy range. Temporary Barracks Crowded. Along the upper reaches of Woosung Creek some firing was going on in the Japanese machine gun positions which have been located there for several days. The Japanese apparently were seeking either to penetrate the Chinese defense along the south shore of the creek or to amuse themselves shooting at nothing in particular. Life in that sec- tor has recently been dull and monoto- nous. In the Japanese camp the temporary barracks were crowded, and they clat- tered with the tramp of heavy boots and the rattle of arms as increasing numbers of these were brought from the water front. There was no evidence o1 heavy guns. I continued to observe the activity within the camp until my pres- ence seemed to be attaracting an un- usual amount of attention, when I left, Naval offictals said more troops would be arriving during the next few days, adding, “We are preparing for a renewed offensive.” Commenting on the battle going on at Chapei, a naval spokesman said this Was not “a general offensive, but merely & protective action, necessary while our preparations are going on.” The soldiers seemed not to know where they ‘were as they landed at Woosung. _ Several friendly privates asked me if they were in Shanghal. I told them in Japanese they were not and asked them where they expected to go. “We expect to go to Kiangwan,” they sald; “how are things there?” Japanese Occupy Kiangwan. Kiangwan, the focal point on the walls, The Japanese sald evacuation had gone on for two days and the town had been stripped of everything of value, even to cooking utensils. They said it was a village of horror, with only 20 living refugees remaining. THREATEN MONSTER DRIVE. Japanese to Blow Up Railways Unless Troop Movements Stop. SHANGHAI, February 29 (#).—Jap- anese Consul General Kuramatsu Mural officially notified Mayor Wy Teh-Chcn of Shanghai today that uni®s the Chi- nese cease bringing in military rein- forcements, the Japanese army is pre- pared to begin an attack on Shanghal and the Chinese hinterland to the west- ward “on a scale not even approached the hostilities thus far.” Following receipt of Consul General Murai's letter, which they said they considered in the nature of an ulti- matum, officials of Mayor Wu's office said the Chinese had not yet replied, but that the action would “result in a reign of terror” throughout the area concerned. ‘The Japanese consul general said in the letter that “in self-defense” the Japanese would be forced to destroy the Shanghal-Nanking Railway as far west as Soochow, 50 miles away, and the Shanghal-Hangchow Railway as far as Kashing, 50 miles to the southwest. The offensive would begin, he sald, on March 2 unless Chinese troop move- ments ceased by that date. Observers here said thiey expected the notice meant that the Japanese would begin extensive bombing operations along the railway line. The threatened action against the area of these railways endangers many hundreds of square miles of the rich- est area in the lower Yangtze Valley and one of the most densely populated areas in all China. Many millions of people live in the territory, in which Soochow, on the Shanghai-Nanking Railway, is the most important city. Many foreigners, including more than 100 Americans, normally live in the area, although part of them have left Americans still are understood to be living in smaller towns between here and Soochow, in spite of the efforts of consular officials to get them to leave. The country’s best rice fields are lo- cated along the Shanghai-Nanking line and fine mulberry plantations extend virtually all the way from Shanghal to Soochow. Consul General Murai's letter said the Japanese would undertake to de- stroy any military trains found within themselves. “Under the circumstances,” he said, “although I will undertake to bring this notification to public attention in the hope non-combatants will take precau- tionary measures to avoid danger, it is urgently hoped you also will undertake the notification of Chinese residents in the territory.” as a result of the hostilities here. A few | the districts as, well as the railway lines | Chinese Would Buy Los Angeles to Aid Flood Sufferers Movement Said to Be Under Way by Orientals in North America. By the Assoclated Press. NEW_YORK, February 29.—Wilbur W. H. Pyn of the Chinese Daily News said yesterday a campaign bas been started among Chinese residents of the United States, Cuba and Mexico to purchase the United States Navy dirigible Los Angeles to be flown to China and used there to carry food to flood victims in the interior. Pyn said the Navy had acknowledged that the Los Angeles is for sale. Under the terms of the Versailles treaty, it cannot be used as au instrument of war. The plan of the Chinese, Pyn said, is to have the dirigible flown to Shanghai or Hankow as soon as the hostilities between China and Japan have ceased. Prom Shanghal or Hankow it could convey food supplies to centers in the flood area, whence they could rapidly be distributed in boats. ADVANCE SALE HEAVY TO SEE MISS CORNELL Crowd Forms Early at Belasco Doors to Get Seats for Play Next Week. At 6:30 yesterday morning a man stationed himself outside the locked doors of the Shubert-Belasco. At 7:30 another man came and stood pehind him. In another 10 minutes a woman had joined the group, and another, and another. At 1 o'clock there was & line reach- ing from the theater all around the block, as far as the Riggs National Bank Bullding. And then the ticket window of the theater swung open apd the first seat was sold for Katherine Cornell's play, “The Barretts of Wim- pole Street,” which will come to Wash- ington Monday of next week. L. Stoddard Taylor, manager of the Shubert-Belasco, commenting on the unprecedented advance interest shown | in the play, which was last year’s most | successful drama on Broadway, stated: “I would like to emphasize the fact that the public had first call on the | tickets for Miss Cornell's engagement. | The only seats which we withdrew from | the ticket racks before the box office | window opened were the press locations and those of our season customers who |are guaranteed the same tickets 'L{xroughouz the year for every attrac- ! tion.” SHANGHAI PARLEY DISCUSSES TERMS OF PEACE PROPOSAL (Continued From Pirst Page.) without comment the alleged eight points whih Yosuke Matsuoka, repre- senting the Japanese foreign office, is said to have asserted to the represent- atives of the powers at Shanghai as follows: 1. Manchuria is a closed question. 2. Japan is master in the Far East and intends to maintain a sort of Mon- roe Doctrine there. 3. The nine-power China treaty is a dead letter because it was forced on Japan against its will. 4. Japan intends to restore peace in China and make -trade safe there for everybody. 5. In order to dictate peace terms, Japan must now win a victory. 6. Japan’s present campaigns in China are in reality punitive expedi- tions. 7. It was a bad mistake that the Kellogg pact omitted to specify that economic boycotts are an act of war. 8. Japan intends to demilitarize the Shanghai area. ‘The British and Japanese here are still trying earnestly to arrange an armistice at Shanghai before the League Assembly meets Thursday, and under the impetus of the small powers takes an anti-Japanese trend. The British, with the tacit consent of Japan, suggest now that the Japanese are reinforced and can doubtless defeat the Chinese, that the latter should be content with their recent successes and retire 0 kilometers (121, miles) in order to avcid defeat. It is believed the United States fe- fuses to associate itlelf with the de- mand that the Chinese retire on their own territory. In any case, the Chinese here say this proposal is ridiculous. (Copyright. 1932.) PEACE PROSPECTS “FAIR.” TOKIO, February 29 (#)—Predictions of “fair prospects for peace” at Shang- hai were made by a government spokes- man today. At the same time officials were greeting the commission sent by the League of Nations to Investigate the situation in Manchuria. The government spokesman said “sincere efforts” were being made poth at Shanghai and Geneva to arrange a truce. Members of the Manchurian Inves- tigation Committee declined to discuss the Far Eastern situation or their own plans before they had conferred with Japanese officials. The commission is made up of representatives of the United States, Great Britain, France and Italy. Gen. Frank R. McCoy is the American member. They will re- main in Japan until March 11 and then sail for Shanghai. Officials here sald there were strong indications the recent heavy losses of the Chinese army had dampened some- what its martial ardor. Destroyers to Be Put Back Into Service | { Chapel-Woosung _battle front, has at last hlk:mt;n :he lJulumx;ase, but ap- parently out a ggle. Al the Japauese occupled was & shambles of debris and dead bodies. The Chinese claimed the stench and not the‘.!waneu had driven '.hen‘ out. HREE of the United States decommissioned Philadelphia, Pa, in lne with plans arranged for 12 others. These Goff and Bainbridge. The first of the ships will to right: Ruben James, installed. DECOMMISSIONED SHIPS OVE RHAULED AT PHILADELPHIA. destroyers which are being overhauled and outfitted for service at ‘The pler is erowded \ . which soon will join the fieet, are, left. shi| wlt:.'mcbtncry, guns and other equipment ready to leave the yard by May and the others by the mid- dicating D. C, MONDAY, FEBRUARY Gets Washington Award COOLIDGE HONORED FOR AID TO HUMANITY. POWERS ARE FIRM AGAINST BOYCOTT U. S. Considers Moral Force as More Powerful Than Embargo. By the Assoclated Press. It is now definitely established that this Government is completely opposed lto any plan for an economic boycott against Japan, and that the major Eu- ropean powers tend to agree with this stand. The enormous hazards to peace of such a move, plus the reaction on the domestic industries drawing raw mate- rials from the country being boycotted are considered here sufficient to out- weigh the benefits obtalnable. The stand of the big foreign countries has been report: by American observers abroad, who Indicate the boycott senti- ment largely is limited to the smaller nations, which would not be so directly involved in the consequences. The State Department officials watched with the keenest interest today the rapid shaping of events toward the cessation of hostilities around Shanghai. They had anticipated something of the sort for the past several “days, their judgment being made up on the cumula- tion of reports showing the state of sen- timent in Japan and China, both in the fighting zone and in the commercial centers where the military operations have their economic repercussions. Moral Force Held Powerful. The definite turndown of the boycott idea removes the United States from any participation in or approval of di- rect action upon the billigerents. It limits the American stand to employ- ment of moral force and world senti- ment to discourage violation of treaties. President Hoover is represented as feeling that this means—embodied in the outspoken American declaration that no gains Japan might make through her military operations in Chi nese territory would be recognized by this country—is more powerful than any embargo. Standing firm uporr that position, this government is expectantly awaiting de- velopments at the League of Nations Assembly meeting this week, where the United States position doubtless will figure. Consequences of Boycott. ‘The outlook of high officials here upon the various proposals for a boycott was outlined as follows: A boycott could lead easily to war. The practical development of a boy- cott would involve the closing of vari- ous industries in all the countries con- cerned. "Thus, such a move would approximate a war upon the civilians of those coun- tries. In turn, this would generate bitter- ness, leading to violence against the | citizens of the boycotting countries who were residing in the boycotted nation, and vice versa. With the responsibility resting upon all nations to protect their own citizens, international violence might result. It was learned that President Hoover personally directed Secretary Stimson to dispatch the now historic note of January 7 to Japan, declaring this country would not recognize any right, title or benefit gained by Japan through violation of either the Kellogg pact or the nine-power treaty. United States Method Believed New. Although no_ direct representation was made to other nations to join the United States in this move, a state- ment was made at the time that if they reached similar decisions an ef- fective bar would be formed against future treaty violations. Those dirécting America's foreign policy were said to have received re- ports that the leading European powers were doubtful whether they could take such a_positive step. The President is represented by those close to him as feeling this Govern- ment’s stand constitutes a new method of + treaty enforcement, raising to a high pitch the employment of moral force against such violations. It was said he regards this ultimatum as far more effective than an embargo, allow- ing independence of action for the United States, but at the same time offering a common basis for world action. 50 DETROIT FLYERS OFFER AID TO CHINA Mayor's Brother Says Airmen Re- sent “Savagery and Abuse Shown by Japanese.” By the Associated Press. DETROIT, February 29.—Fifty De- troit aviators and airplane mechapics, some of them with World War experi- ence, offered their services to China last night at a mass meeting of the Detroit Chinese Patriotic League. George Murphy, a pilot and brother of Mayor Frank Murphy, organized the fiyers and acted as spokesman. He said he and his fellow pilots “highly resent the attack being made on China,” which, he said, had been accompanied by “sivagery and abuse” and the slay- ing of “thousands of Chinese women and children.” Local Chinese said they would tele- graph the offer to Dr. Yip Ko Ling, Chinese consul of the Middle West area, at Chicago. Another meeting will be called when his answer is received. R. W. Snoke, supervisor of the Detroit City Airport, said only qualified aviators were at the meeting. Among them was Joseph Huxley, veteran of the British Royal Flying Corps, who claims to have shot down 26 German planes. He offered to start at once teaching the younger flyers war tactics. Next Sunday night the league will hold a memorial meeting for Robert Short, American pilot killed recently while fiying for China. KWANGCHOW ATTACKED BY COMMUNIST BANDITS All American Missionaries Except Two Have Left City in Honan Province. PEIPING, China, February 29 (#).— The City of Kwangchow in Southeast Honan Province, where six American missionaries were reported in danger last week, has been attacked by Com- munist bandits three times in the last two weeks, the United States consul at Hangkow reported today. All American missionaries have left the territory now, he said, except two— Rev, Herman W. Bly, Lutheran United missionary, and Father Peter Heier. both of whom are remaining north of the city, ready to leave immediately if the situation grows any worse. IMPALED ON FENCE Man Jumps Out of Window to Es- cape Fire. CHICAGO, February 29 (#).—Emil Spaly, 28, yesterday jumped through a window to escape a fire that had broken out in his third floor room. His body was impaled on & picket fence in the court below. He died instantly. Spaly came to Chicago several years ago from Greenwood, Ark. Police re- ported finding in his room evidence in« the fire ml.hru.d while alcohal 2 W service in £dvancing human progress.” ILLIAM DAVID COOLIDGE, assoclate director of the General Electric Research Laboratory, was presented with the Washington award for 1932 at a dinner in the Hotel Sherman, Chicago, Thursday night. The award, administered by the Western Society of Engineers and founded 1916, is for “recognition of devoted, unselfish and pre-eminent Photo shows Prank D. Chase, president of the society (right), presenting the award to Coolidge. —Wide World Photo, SOVIET OFFERS J0B 10 LAMONT'S SON Live Stock Expert May Head Russian Cattle Industry. Will Sail at Once. By the Associated Press. DENVER, February 29.—Robert P. Lamont, jr., son of the Secretary of Commerce, has been called to take charge of development of the cattle in- dustry of Soviet Russia. Lamont, now en route to New York, said he would sail for Moscow on “the first boat available” to study the offer, which would give him complete charge of the nation's cattle breeding. After he completes a preliminary sur- vey of six weeks in Moscow, Lamont will return to his 15,000-acre ranch 40 miles south of here. If he decides to accept Mrs. Lamont will accompany him back to Russia. Hope to Raise Supply. “My negotiations by correspondence with the Soviet government officials have not been entirely satisfactory,” Mr. Lamont said. “I am going to Rus- sia to study the situation. The Soviet officials are hopeful of raising the per capita consumption of live stock to 100 pounds a vear, which would place it on a perity with this country. It would take about 20 years to accomplish this.” Mr. Lamont said Russia has about | 35,000,000 cattle and 17,000,000 sheep, as compared to the 65,000,000 cattle and 60,000,000 sheep in the United States. “Russia’s population is 160,000,000 and ours 120,000,000, so you see what a job it will be to increase the Russian supply to the American standard.” Specializes on Herefords. Lamont came to Colorado after leav- ing the Army at the close of the World War. He specializes in the breeding of Hereford cattle. Regardless of his decision on the Russian offer, Lamont said he would not dispose either of his Colorado ranch nor his herd of fancy Herefords, He explained his consideration of the Russian offer is wholly without political significance. “I am interested purely as a stock- man,” he said. “I am not a politician. The problem of the Russians in trying to improve the quality of their live stock is so tremendous that no stock- man could help but be interested.” Mr. Lamont said that if he accepted the Russian offer he probably would sign a one-year contract. Although the initial offer of the Russian gov- ernment was said to be $50,000 a year, Lamont's decision, his friends said, would depend on the willingness of the country to tackle its cattle-breeding problem in a scientific way, rather than on any question of salary. LAWYER IS ACQUITTED OF AIDING MURDER PLOT Former Kansas U. Base Ball Star Freed of Charge for Which 3 Are Serving Life Terms. By the Assoclated Press. COFFEYVILLE, Kans., February 29. —F. B. (Bun) Hanlon, Coffeyville at- torney and former Kansas University base ball player, was acquitted yester- day of conspiracy to murder Mrs. Maude Martin. A verdict of “not guilty” was re- turned by the second District Court jury to hear the case. A jury dis- agreed at a previous trial. The attorney was accused of plotting with Paul Jones, Dr. S. A. Brainard, Coffeyville physician, and Miss Muriel Sullivan, a waitress, to kill Mrs. Martin. The physician, Jones and Miss Sulli- van are serving life sentences for the crime. Miss Sullivan confessed to the actual murder. Dr. Brainard, former member of the Coffeyville Board of Education, was convicted of plotting the death of Mrs. Martin, who was a witness in a State case in which the doctor was accused of performing an illegal operation. e C Our low prices are for cash delivery only. Buckwheat ......$8. Pocahontas Sto., $9.65 Pocahontas Egg.$10.20 Fairmont Egg Coke (2,000).. 'All our coals are screened and full weight guaranteed. B. J. WERNER 1937 Fifth St. N.E. North 0079 King’s Collection Of Stamps Closed To U. S. 1932 Issue Gift of Capital Man De-| clined Because of Ruler’s | Limitation. Because he is saving stamps of the British Empire only, King George V of England has declined to include 12 ‘Washington Bicentennial stamps in his personal collection. The Bicentennial stamps were sent to King George by Dr. Walter F. Shen- | ton of 3605 Porter street, professor of mathematics at American University, on what known as a “first day cover” stamped with the date of Jan- uary 1, the date of issue. In kesponse, Dr. Shenton heard from London, in a letter bearing the scarlet coronet, headed “Buckingham Palace,” and_re: g: “The private secretary is commanded to thank Mr. Walter F. Shenton for his letter of the 1st instant, but to inform him that the King only in- cludes stamps of the British Empire in his majesty’s collection.” Many American philatelists believed erroneously that the King of England o interested in stamps of all coun- tries. MISS F. MILLER DIES | AFTER LONG ILLNESS of Washington Was Alumna of Mount Vernon Semi- nary—Rites Tomorrow. Native Miss Florence Miller, 54 years old, a | native of Washington, who died at| Garfield Hospital Saturday after a long | illness, will buried tomorrow in | Mount Olivet Cemetery after services at St. Matthew's Catholic Church, | Rhode Island avenue near Connecti- cut avenue. A daughter of the late James Edward and Elizabeth J. Miller, Miss Miller had made her home until recently with | her sister, Mrs. H. R. Greenlee, at 5510 Thirty-ninth street, Chevy Chase, D. C. She moved to Annapolis last Septem- ber, however, when Mrs. Greenlee's husband, Capt. H. R. Greenlee, was transferred there in charge of the Naval Engineering Experiment Station. Miss Miller was an alumna of Mount Vernon Seminary and had been active for years in alumni work of the school. She was taken ill in December and brought to Garfield Hospital, but_was permitted to spend the Christmas holi- days at Annapolis when her condition improved somewhat. Taking a turn for the worse, she returned to the hos- pital around the first of the year. Funeral services at St. Matthew's will | be held at 10 o'clock tomorrow morning, | Rev. Edward Roach celebrating requiem | mass. . DR. BURNETT TO SPEAK ‘The first of a series of lectures and events to commemorate the George Washington Bicentennial at the Catho- lic University will be given this eve- ning when Dr. Edmud C. Burnett, Di- vision of Historical Research, Carnegie Institution of Washington, will speak on “The Continental Congress and the Achievement of National Unity.” PEAGE DISCUSSION RAISES U. S. HOPES End of Shanghai Confliof Believed Hinged on Armies’ Exhaustion. BY CONSTANTINE BROWN. For the first time in many weeks an atmosphere of hopefulness regarding the Shanghal situation prevailed in the State Department today. While responsible high officials don't yet dare to be optimistic, they expressed hope that negotiations between the Japanese and the Chinese will lead to some agreement which will end the Shanghai conflict. The principal. reason why it is bee lieved this time the combatants might come to some understanding is that both Chinese and Japanese are prace tically exhausted. The Chinese have withstood for 30 days & terrific artil lery fire. According to neutral military observers no army, even during the most important battles of the World War, have stood artillery strafing for such a long period The gunfire during the World War was naturally much more powerful, but it never lasted on the same compara- tively short sector of about 16 miles as long as 30 days. Besides, when the artillery preparae tion lasted even a whole week fresh reserves were always handy and were brought to the front line. Nothing like that happened on the Shanghai front, The Chinese did bring up & certain amount of reinforcements, but their batallions were withdrawn only when they had suffered such heavy casualties as to make them unable to remain as a unit on the front. Lack of Ammunition Felt. The Chinese troops also began feele ing the lack of ammunition. The fight« ing was so prolonged and desperate that the Chinese were compelled to abandorx the village of Kiangwan, not under the pressure of the Japanese attack, but bew cause the artillery fire prevented them from burying their dead, and the pes« tilence was such that the position had to be abandoned. A certain amount of exhaustion wa§ felt in the Japanese lines as well. They too, for the last 30 days had to fight an offensive battle on a 16-mile frong§ with barely 23,000 men. On account of this military situation, it appears that the military leaders ony both sides are anxious to come to some arrangements and reach a truce which might later be transformed into a round table conference to bring about a come plete cessation of hostilities. According to reports from Shanghal the Japanese representatives seem less adamant than they were a fortnight ago. They are reported to have ex pressed willingness to withdraw thete own men from their present positions provided the Chinese withdraw 1214 miles from their present fighting line. In view of the fact that the present fighting armies are exhausted and that the Japanese realize that if they want a military victory at Shanghai they must bring up many more men than they are sending, because reports from Japan indicate the beginning of a finan- cial crisis, because the Chinese generals have accomplished, from the military point of view, much more than they ever expected and that they are re- ported to be satisfied with the results of the battle for Shanghai, neutral ob- servers in the International Settlement are inclined to think a truce might be concluded within the next few days. Other Side of the Pictare. There is, of course, the other side of the picture, which prevents the State Department from being actually optimistic. It is recognized that we have to deal with two Oriental nations whose intentions are always doubtful and whose actual thoughts we cannot easely fathom. The American Gov= ernment has been too frequently, in the course of the last six months, led to believe the situation in the Far East was improving and was sorely disillu- sioned just at the time when it was thought, everything was developing fa- vorably. The Japanese, despite the reported truce pourparlers, continue to rush re- inforcements to China, and it is con= ceivable that the military may change their present conciliatory tone when they feel the Chinese are actually ex- hausted and when the Japanese army is considered sufficiently strong to un- dertake a new offensive, the results of which can no longer be doubted by the Japanese general staff. The American representatives at Shanghai, Minister Johnson; Consul General Cunningham and Admiral Taylor, are under permanent instruc- tion from the State Department to stand by and be as helpful as possible to bring about a_cessation of hostilities. Consequently their good offices are al- ways at the disposal of the negotiators. The same thing applies to the British and the French diplomatic and naval representatives at Shanghai. For the time being it appears that both the Chinese and the Japanese are taking full advantage of their presence in their negotiations for a truce. HOUSE ACTION DELAYED Members to Have More Notice on “Lame Duck” Report. In order to give House members more notice on the conference report on the Norris constitutional amendment to abolish the “lame duck” session of Con- Dr. Burnett will speak at 8 o'clock in McMahon Hall Muditorfum and his lec- ture will be open to the public. gress, action was postponed today in the House FURNITURE From Mod at SACRIFICE PRICES YOU perhaps have visited mired the furniture. F el Homes the Model Homes and ad- rom the sold homes we've collected the furniture, no doubt just the piece you wanted—these include Bed Room Suites, small Dining Room Suites, upholstered small Sofas, Chairs and Tables, of solid mahogany. The upholstering is slightly soiled. Such values as these: Martha Washington Chairs Reduced from $39 to .. Sleepy Hollow Chairs Reduced from $63 to 3-pc. Maple Bedroom Su Reduced from $150 to On Sale in Our Annex 1008 H Street N.W. From March 1 to March 5, Inclusive We Cannot Accept Telephone Orders, None Sent C.0.D. D. S. POOL mc.