RED OFFENSIVE.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 40, 17 February 1927, Page 7

RED OFFENSIVE.

SUN FORCED BACK.

Cantonese Break Through Near

Hangchow.

FURTHER SUCCESS REPORTED

(Received 11 a.m.) SHANGHAI, February 16. Despite the general belief that Hangcho-w was safe in General Sun Chnan-fang's hands and that the immediate threat of the Cantonese was temporarily removed, the staggering news has been received locally that Sun's line of defence has been cut six miles of Hangehow and that his forces are retreating in disorder to Shanghai. The last line of defence between Hangchow and Shanghai is Sunking, 30 miles from Shanghai. It is hoped a desperate attempt to hold the advance of the Cantonese will be made, but in the event of failure, the Cantonese will be within 30 miles of Shanghai The gravity of the situation is the worst for many weeks. With the possibility of the complete defeat of Sun, and Shanghai being an easy prey for the Cantonese, there are indications of a somewhat rapid and unexpected development in the military situation. In Chekiang the Southerners claim to have captured Cruehow, 45 miles southwest of Hangchow. Well-informed quarters believe this is true, also that the Southern offensive is developing in the same region, though what troops are participating in it is unknown. Probably they are those whom it was either impossible or undesirable to withdraw northward for the defence of Hankow.