SITUATION IN CHINA

Evening Star, Issue 19351, 10 September 1926, Page 5

SITUATION IN CHINA

THE NAVAL ENGACEMT DABIIIG ACTS OF HEROISM BRITISH TRADITIONS ALAINTAINED, tr*M Auociation—By Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, September 9. Later despatches received in London show that the naval engagement on the Yangtse is worthy to be numbered among the most daring acts of heroism of the British Navy. The earlier reports suggested that the gunboats Widgeon and Kiawo had been unable to accomplish thtsLr mission, and wore forced to retire under heavy fire. The facts are that two merchant ships which had been illegally commandeered by General Yang-sen were moored mshore with 300 Chinoso soldiers and their British prisoners on board. The Cockchafer was lying near, but practically out df action, being covered at pointblank range by the Chinese artillery and machine guns. The Widgeon and Kiawo therefore sped to the rescue. Their officers and crew in all numbered not more than 120. Nevertheless, our men boarded and captured the ships, and hand-to-hand fighting against 300 Chinamen occurred before the British prisoners could be released. The Cockchafer, Widgeon, and Kiawo then retired to Ichang after an action that had been fought with conspicuous dash and gallantry. The ‘Daily Telegraph’s’ diplomatic correspondent says: “The little gunboats ran the gauntlet of numerous Chinese field batteries, as well as machine guns. The feat was Zeehruggo again on a small scale. That a small fiarty of sailors succeeded from their ow decks in boarding raechantmen bristling with rifles and guns, and liberating four officers, was in itself a miracle.” WANHSIEN BOMBARDED. TOWN IN FLAMES. HONGKONG, September 9. The Cockchafer and Widgeon bombarded Wanhsien, which is in flames. BRITISH OFFICIAL VIEW. NOT AN ACT OF WAR, LONDON, September 9. The ‘ Daily Express ’ understands that Britain views the seizure of the British steamers in China as an act of brigandage, not an act of war. The Foreign Office states that there is no possibility of sending a Note to Poking on the subject, in view of the civil war in China, and the fact that General Yang-son apparently acted on his own initiative. SOUTHER!! RED ADVANCE COUNTER. MEASURES. P.EKING, September 9. (Received September 10, at 9.30 a.m.) It is reported that San Chuan-fang, the military overlord of five important provinces, including Shanghai, has declared war on the Cantonese and is Bending an army of 200,000 to check 1/ieir advance in the Yangtse Valley. This means a final effort to prevent the advance of tfto Red army towards Shanghai. THE YANGTSE PATROL. LONDON, September 9. (Received September 10, at 9.50 a.m.) The ‘ Daily News ’ says that the Yangtse patrol forms a considerable section or the British fleet in China. It consists of fifteen gunboats, six armed river steamers, and 1,000 officers and men. Nino of tho largest gunboats belong to tho insect class.— * Sydney ‘ Sun ’ Cable.