SUN'S DEBACLE.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 46, 24 February 1927, Page 9

SUN'S DEBACLE.

Governor of Shantung Assumes; Shanghai Command. POSITION OBSCURE. j (Received 1 p.m.) SHANGHAI, February 23. j It is reliably reported that Marshal tun Chuan-fang. Shanghai's military governor, has agreed to hand over the defence of Shanghai to General Chang Tsung-chang, Governor of Shantung. Several thousand White Russians in armoured trains, similar to those em- ; ployed in the dramatic coup for the ] capture of Shanghai earlier in the war,' are reported to l>e stationed within , twenty miles ready to enter and protect Shanghai. i Sun Chuan-fang admits his inability to hold Shanghai against the Cantonese, and is rapidly evacuating Chekiang province, his troops looting the country as they retreat. The Shantungese have crossed the Yang-tse on the way to Shanghai. Sun Chuan-fane's local authorities recaptured the gunboats responsible for yesterday's firing after the escape of the crews from both vessels. Addressing a meeting of Chinese notables at Nanking prior to the entry of the Fengtien troops, Sun wept as he declared the disloyalty of his officers alone accounted for his defeat. Chang Tsung-chang's move tends to confirm the declaration of General Yang Yu-ting (Chang Tso-lin's chief of staff),' that the Northerners pre at last taking action in earnest against the Southerners, and it remains to be seen | whether they are proof against the dis- j sensions and disintegrating forces which j have hitherto operated in all the armies j opposing the Nationalists. Chang Tsung-chang's army includes a Russian brigade, so-called because it includes 1500 White Russians.