NORTH ROUTED.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 94, 21 April 1928, Page 9

NORTH ROUTED.

WAR IN SHANTUNG.

Southerners' Lightning Advance Crumples The Enemy.

ANXIETY FOE MISSIONS.

(Australian and N.Z. Press Association.)

(Received 1.30 p.m.)

SHANGHAI, April 20.

The Northern defence is crumbling, and the retreat is assuming the proportions of a rout, with the Southerners in hot pursuit.

Chiang Kai-shek's forces are carrying all before them on the Shantung front and they have advanced their artillery within range of Tsinanfu, the capital of Shantung. They are reported to be shelling the city.

Anxiety is felt for the large missionary population, which includes numbers of Canadians and Australians. Southern aeroplanes, bombing Tsinanfu, are adding to the confusion of the Northern troops, who are reported to be demoralised as the outcome of the Southerners' amazingly swift advance.

In the event of Tsinanfu falling and the Southerners crossing the Yellow River, Chang Tso-lin will require to throw the entire Manchurian army into the fighting line in order to save Peking. In the meantime the "Christian General," Feng Yu-hsiang, is rapidly advancing victoriously from the west and he is expected shortly to link forces with Chiang. Japanese Force Hurrying. In view of the later developments the date of departure of the troops from Japan has been advanced one day. An emergency force of 300 from Tientsin reached Tsinanfu to-day.

Although a British battalion is stationed at Weihaiwei, within easy distance, it is not likely to be dispatched to TsinanfUf as the present disturbance is not of an anti-foreign nature.

NOT UNFRIENDLY.

Japanese Position Made

Clear.

TROOPS AS PROTECTION ONLY.

(United Service.) (Received 11 a.m.)

TOKYO, April 20.

The Government, in a statement regarding China, says that in view of the change in the situation in Shantung with disturbances threatening to involve the region where the Japanese reside. Japan is now compelled to dispatch 8000 soldiers to the Kiaochow-Tsinan zone. Pending the arrival of soldiers, three companies from the Japanese garrison in China will be sent to Tsinan as an emergency measure. The dispatch of troops is an unavoidable measure of self-protection, not implying an unfriendly attitude toward China or interference with the military operations of either the Northern or the Southern forces. TKe statement adds that the troops will be withdrawn as soon as the Government considers that the Japanese nationals' safety is assured.

JAPANESE FORCE SENT.

550 LANDED AT TSINGTAO.

(United Service.) TOKYO, April 20. The Ministry of the Navy announces that a force of 550 men was landed at Tsingtao, the chief port of Shantung this morning, also that the cruiser Kasuga will leave the Yokosuka naval base, near Yokohama, for Tsingtao tonight, carrying 200 men.

The Government states that at the time the Japanese troops were withdrawn from Shantung it declared that it had no intention of supporting any faction in China, yet if peace in the localities which. contained many Japanese residents were disturbed, and if there was reason to fear for the safety of these Japanese, it would take such measures for their protection as might be required.

BRITAIN AND CHINESE.

JOINT ADMINISTRATION.

(British Official Wireless.) (Received 11.30 a.m.) RUGBY, April 20. Telegrams from China report that agreement has been reached for a joint Chinese and British administration of the British concession of Tientsin by a municipal council of five Chinese and five British. The agreement regarding the franchise removes the discrimination between Chinese and British electors.