THE FIGHTING IN CHINA.

Evening Star, Issue 19639, 19 August 1927, Page 6

THE FIGHTING IN CHINA.

In - China events have taken another turn. Tho Nationalists have not only been clicked on their march to Peking, but if the reports that, havo come to hand in the last few' days arc accurate the power of diking Kai-shek, lor the time being at any' rate, lias been broken. It is stated that his army is retreating in disorder from all fronts. The Nanking section of his troops is on its way home, and alarm is apparent in that city. Without firm leadership and discipline those soldiers would be little more than an armed disorderly rabble, and it is not surprising that in Nanking acute anxiety prevails. There is tension also at Shanghai, it having been announced that the vanguard of tho retreating Southern army, which is being conveyed in troop trains, is almost due there. The victorious Northerners, under Sun Chuan-fang, are in possession of the strategic points on the north bank of the Yangtse. in Shanghai the International Settlement authorities arc taking the necessary steps to meet developments that may occur. Led by Cidang Kai-shek, the Kuomintang army, in its earlier operations, achieved victory of ter victory. Marching north from Canton, it swept along the Yangtse Valley to Shanghai. Cohesion and good discipline seemed to be tho secret of the success of this wellarmed force, things that as a rule are conspicuous by their absence in Chinese military operations. Unusual stability was experienced, but there came a breaking point after tho Nanking outrages when Chiang Kai-shek declined to countenance tho acts of the extremists. The unity was destroyed, and from that moment the power of the Kuomintang weakened. Chiang, however, set out on his march north, but tho position at Hankow, where the extremists were in possession, added to his difficulties. A further source of anxiety was the altitude of Feng Ynhsiang, the so-called Christian general, who declined to declare his hand, and with his army is still watching with Oriental patience tint course of events. Chiang marched his array north into Shangtung, where some fighting with the Northerners was reported. Then last month came the Announcement that an armistice had been signed at Tsinan between the Northern commander in the field, who was acting under instructions from Chang Tso-lin, and Chiang Kai-shek, in order to enable Chiang to concentrate on efforts to subjugate Hankow, which remained the base of the Communists’ activities.

I Immediately following this it was reported that tho Northerners, allegedly I breaking faith, had launched a big at-. I tack, as a result of wliich tho Southerners were defeated with great loss. The truth «f the report of that engagement is substantiated by the events that followed, ending in tho discomfiture of tho Kuomintang array. The reversal of the position came as a surprise, because up to the point when it was announced that an armistice had been arranged tho predictions wore that Chiang Kai-shek would make his way to Peking without any strong opposition. These anticipations have been completely falsified. Chang Tso-lin’s name has not been mentioned in the latest cables, but it is to bo presumed tbat his was the strongest influence in the recent events. Ills power in the north is still unshaken, and lie can count on .support from auii-Red and other sources that arc not concerned with Chinese interests alone. In the meantime the matter Unit will cause the greatest anxiety is the danger arising from the presence in the Nanking and Shanghai areas of bodies of the uncontrolled retreating Southern troops.

The Water Committee of the City Council reports that with a view to improving the water supply in tho lower portion ol Driver’s road, authority has been granted to extend the high pressure main to the Greudon street main, a total distance of tea chains, at an estimated cost of £IBB.

Various “slips” which occurred in the city during tho recent wet weather caused damage to the estimated extent of £IBO. The city engineer has been authorised to repair this damage. The General Committee of the City Council' reports that at the request ol tho Otago Harbor Board authority has been granted the engineer to proceed with tho formation of Bauchop street on the harbor reclaimed land as an urgent measure. Tho estimated cost is *£5,280, tho whole of which will bo provided by the Harbor Board meantime. The"half cost chargeable to the council is to be paid to the board when the council is in a position to provide for the amount in the yearly allocations. The expenditure was not provided for in the present year's estimates.

The Reserves Committee of the City Council recommends that the Exhibition foundation stone tablet, which was placed in position by the then Governor-General, Viscount Jellicoe, on October 18. 192-1, and wliich is at present stored in the Art Gallery building, bo ro-erectcd in a suitable position on°the outside wall of that building.

The Finance Committee of tho City Council reports that the tenancy of a section at Maori Hill in the vicinity of the John M’Glashan College has been acquired for use as a children’s playground for the district. The duplication of the Anderson’s Bay tramway line was commenced on Wednesday last, and the work, in addition to having the attention of the Tramway Department’s regular platelayers, ‘is finding employment for an additional dozen laborers. This number will bo increased as operations proceed.

The E.P. and L. Committee of tho City Council reports that a commencement was made on July IB with the work on the pipe lines at Waipori in connection with the installation of tho power station. Twenty men arc now employed on the work, which is under the charge of the City Engineering Department. His Honor Air Justice Sim granted probate this morning in tho estates of the following:—Elizabeth Lydia Steplions, Dunedin (Air H. Webb) ; Angus AUPheo Marshall, Dunedin (Mr T. C. Marshall); Jessie Robertson, Kaitangnta, and late of Dunedin (Mr J. B. Nicol) ; Andrew Irwin, East Taicri (Mr AV. Allan); Robert Finnic, East Taieri (Air W. Allan); Patrick Dillon, Blackstone Hill (Air J. I. Eraser). Letters of administration were granted in tho estate of Emma Paine, Dunedin (Air P. S. Anderson). Members of the Mornington Bowling Club were entertained last evening in the club rooms Ivy members ot tho Dunedin Returned Soldiers’ Association. Games of billiards and .snooker wore played between the two clubs, the billiards resulting in a. win lor the soldiers by 856 points to 848. Mornington carried off the snooker honors by 219 to 21-4. Mr A. C. Laing, president of the association, was the host, and a most enjoyable evening was spent. After supper Air Laing ilianked the visitors for the interesting' games they had given them. Air Johnston replied on behalf of tho Mornington Bowling Chib. The Waipahi will arrive from (be islands on Monday with the biggest shipment of oranges this year—namely, 20,000 cases—besides a quantity ol pineapples and tomatoes. —Auckland correspondent. Albert Cox, charged with the tlicfl of the mayor’s coat from tho Council Chambers,“ was discharged without a conviction by Air Mosley, S.M., an condition that he took out a. prohibition order. Accused’s record of service in the Navy and tho Army dates back to 1881. —Christchurch Press Association telegram.

Our Clyde correspondent wires : There was a sudden change in the weather last night. Rain and sleet fell, while this morning tho country was covered with a mantle of snow. It is now cold and overcast.

Nominations for tho officers of the South Island Alotor Union will close twenty-eight days before the election, wliich is to take place on September 80. So far the following nominations have been received: —President. Air A. E. Ansell (Otago), nominated by Otago and Canterbury; vice-presidents (two), Messrs J. R. Haigh (Southland), nominated by Otago, and R. P. Furness (Marlborough), nominated by Marlborough, and H. C. Harley (Canterbury) nominated by Nelson.—Christchurch correspondent. In the Supremo Court, Napier, the jury found Frank and Oliver Burge not guilty of charges of false pretences arising out of the sale of a quantity of timber.

The Chief Justice said that a civil case iu which a woman claimed £(315 from a tailor for money advanced to enable him and another to moot business obligations was one of the most unsatisfactory that had come before him. It would require the wisdom of a Solomon to unravel tho statements made on both sides. It would have suited his inclination had ho been able to say “ Bustle all these people out of court.” Tho only conclusion lie could como to was that plaintiff had established her case and that defendant and his friend had put their heads together to transfer the liability for the loam upon the shoulders of a penniless man.—Wellington Association message. The Public Works Department reported this morning Unit it was making arrangements for twenty-five married men to leave Dunedin on Wednesday next for the Crawford road, Central Otago. The secretary of the Dunedin Returned Soldiers' Association has arranged for the employment of six additional men in connection with the improvements being carried out at the Mosgiel recreation ground. The work is to deal with drainage. In addition to supplying the necessary material, Alosgicl is providing a subsidy for the amount to bo expended. Tho rest of the money accrues from tho proceeds of tho Poppy Day fund. The local office of the Labor Department reports that there arc now 80 married men and 191 single men on the official unemployed register. Yesterday six men were placed in Ward street for tho Dunedin City Council.

Mr J. G. Coates (Minister of Railways) advises (reports a Press Association telegram from Wellington) that it has been decided to grant tickets at holiday excursion fares to scholars or students who are in regular daily attendance at /universities, colleges, technical colleges, and State or private schools during tho recognised school vacations.

Stuart’s Service Garage at Avondale was almost demolished by firo last night, and ears worth £3,000 were destroyed. The outbreak was caused presumably by a benzine explosion.— Auckland Press Association telegram.

Ralph Roland Levy, a, motor mechanic, was lined £ls by Air Page, S.AL, for being intoxicated while riding a motor cyclo in Adelaide road. Uo was steering an erratic course, and the police found a jar of boor in the sidecar.—Wellington Press Association telegram. The cases of tho men dismissed from Arapuni were considered at a meeting of the Auckland branch of tho Alliance of Labor last night, and it is understood a resolution was passed in regard to their allegation of victimisation, but there is no official statement. However, the president-of tho Alliance, iu an independent statement, expressed his personal opinion that the men were victimised, and says that the matter was not finally concluded last night.—PressAssociation.

A fine of £25 and costs was imposed to-day at Wellington on Thomas Joseph Walsh, licensee of tho Central Hotel, Otaki, over whose bar a bottle was handed to an inspector on demand and found to contain whisky of much poorer quality than the label warranted. —Press Association.

Two fowlhouscs wore destroyed by firo early this morning. The lire originated in the fowlhoiisc of the Rev. G. Clements, of Sandringham street, St. Clair, and spread to tho ono attached to the dwelling of Air J. A. Ainge, of Onslow street. The ono in the latter was covered by insurance in the Guardian Office for £IOO, but the other was not insured. It was valued at £3O.

Tho animal Clydesdale stallion parade held under the auspices of the Otago A. and P. Society will bo held at Tahuna Park on September 22. For some years past those parades have created a considerable amount of interest amongst breeders. Included in tho entries arc a number of horses lately imported from the Old Country, and breeders who are prepared to take tlio risk and responsibility of importing fresh blood aro entitled to receive every consideration. In addition to tho usual classes, the Clydesdale Horse Society offer Alessrs Wright, Stephenson, and Co.’s, Ltd., Cup for best stallion, four years old or over, but ail animals entered in this class must bo certified by Government veterinary surgeons that they aro free from certain hereditary diseases before being allowed to compete. This examination will bo hold tho day previous to tho parade. Hakas, poi dances, choruses, part songs, solos, etc., provided an exceptionally interesting programme at an entertainment given in the Town Hall, Port Chalmers, last night by a Native concert party from the Kaik. ‘The Jealous Husband ’ provided a good comic turn, and was followed by the more picturesque Macro Alai Ra, Waiata Maori, Po Karo Karc, tho closing chorus being Aroha Nni. A dance followed. Tho object of the entertainment was to raise funds for tho Alaori Church at the Kaik and the Otakou Tennis Club. Three rooms of the Newtown Park kiosk were destroyed by lire early this morning, and a bedroom badly damaged. The kiosk was used as a combined tea room and private residence, was owned by the City Council, and occupied by Airs Alice Hilda Cousins. The contents were insured for £6OO in the Royal Office, and the building for £BOO in tho Standard Office.—Wellington Press Association telecram.

For spectacles that soothe ilio eyes consult W. V. Stunner, D.S.O.L, G.A.0.C., 2 Octagon. Our business .s exclusively optical. —[Advt.] Firms using Motor Lorries, Cartage Contractors, etc., can obtain best quality Waterproof Tarpaulins iu any ono of ten qualities at lowest prices from the makers— National Mortgage and Agency Co., Ltd., Water street.—[Advt.]

The public will bo given an opportunity on Monday next of bearing a, lecture of peculiar interest at (bis juncture. The lecturer is Dr G. IT. Blakeslee, profoffov of internaiional relations in tbo Clark University, Massachusetts, who is visiting Now Zealand as tho represent a live of tho Carnegie endowment for international peace. Ho has attended the meetings of the Institute of Pacific Relations at Honolulu, and will lecture in each of tho four chief centres of Now Zealand under the auspices of the University. His subject iu Dunedin will );o ‘America iu International Relations.’ The lectures will bo delivered iu Allen Hall, at Uic University.

Tho Square Deal Kuril re .Weinbiy will hold a, progressive eiichro tournament in tho South Dunedin Town Hail at f> o'clock tomorrow night. Orders to (ho total value of £l2 aro offered for compeli’Jui as prizes.