NORTHERNERS ADVANCE

Greymouth Evening Star, 14 April 1927, Page 5

NORTHERNERS ADVANCE

NANKING’S FALL IMMINENT X IMPORTANT DEVELOPMENTS (Australian & N.Z. Cable Assn.) (By Cable —Press Assn.—Copyright.) SHANGHAI, April 13. A naval wireless from Nanking states that Northern troops occupied Pukow without opposition. All the Nationalists flags were iinmediately hauled down. The foreign warships moved one mile up the river from Nanking in order to clear the direct line of fire between Nanking ■ and Pukow. Nationalist gunboats which were recently concentrating for the defence of Nanking, moved three miles up the Yangtse from Nanking. No attempt has yet been made by the Northerners to cross the Yangtse. The fall of Nanking is imminent. It will virtually mean- the recovery of Shanghai by the North. The Southern communications between Shanghai and Nanking are already pierced. At Chinkiang, Chinese cruisers are now in action for the Northerners, against the Southerners. Two of the Southerners’ cruisers have shelled the north bank of the River Yangtse. EXTREMISTS UNPOPULAR. SHANGHAI, April 12. There are indications of a growing opposition to an extremist policy on the part of the Nationalists. In a recent demonstration at Foochow, three hundred thousand people participated, acclaiming a moderate policy. A colonel adddressed the crowd in favour of “Red” or extreme action. He was mobbed and was shot and thrown into the river. BRITISH FORCES. LONDON, April 13. . In the Commons, Sir A. Chamberlain told Mr Day (Labour) that British military losses in China at present consisted of sixteen infantry battalions with the necessary auxiliary troops; also fourteen thousand navy personnel. Four- additional battalions were en route foi' China. FOREIGN OFFICE COMMENT. LONDON, April 13. In one word “obscurity,” the Foreign Office sums up the Chinese position. It is patiently waiting for the. outcome of the various Chinese Generals reappearing on the scenes of former activities, and at present halting the tide of Nationalism. It is understood that the Cabinet this morning discussed whether in the growing uncertainty of events the strength of the British forces is adequate for a wider sphere of protection of • British people. The . presence of Air Marshal Trenchard and Admiral Beatty at the meeting of Cabinet strengthens the idea that a plan is being contemplated of sending a fleet of submarines and flying boats to operate in the affected areas on the Yangtse. Official circles do not regard seriously the stories, of Japanese, and Russian frontier mobilisations, and strongly doubt that the Russians have military operations in view. JAPANESE REINFORCEMENTS. TOKIO, April 12. The Japanese General Staff has decided to send five companies of regular troops to Tientsin, in the Pekin area, to supplement three companies already there. Four Japanese destroyers from Amizuru have departed for Port Arthur. The light cruisers Kinu and Yura are patrolling the Chefoo coast. TROUBLE AT WEI-HAI-WEI. SHANGHAI, April 12. A naval wireless from Wei-Hai-Wei, says that the officer administering the Government there has sent an urgent request for the despatch of nayal reinforcements, in view of alarming reports of threatened disturbances. LATER. H.M.S. Carlisle has gone to Wei-Hai-Wei as the result of a consular report that trouble is expected there from bandits. RELATIONS’WITH RUSSIA. SHANGHAI, April 13. Optimism over the relations, between Russia, China and Japan, is increasing. Official reports from the Yangtze, however, indicate increased anti-Japanism. The South Manchurian railway shares which dropped heavily following Moscow’s ultimatum to Pekin, recovered sensationally, upon assurances from Moscow to M. Shidehara that Russia does not propose to use force. The new Soviet ambassador .at Tokio similarly expressed Russian sympathy for China, and admiration for Japan.