EXODUS FROM CANTON: REDS' THREAT
(11 a.m.) CANTON, May 16. Hundreds of Chinese today began evacuating Canton following the announcement that the Communists had marched into Hankow.
Many Canton evacuees are making for the already over-crowded British Hong Kong. Trains and ships to Hong Kong today carried full passenger complements.
The Canton evacuation reflects the nervousness prevailing among the Chinese in the temporary capital for. despite the Nationalists’ withdrawal from Hankow, the proposed new de J fence line is still 300 miles north ot Canton.
Many Cantonese believe the Communists will reach the city within one month. The Nationalist radio at Hankow said the Communists were welcomed by the people as they marched into the city. The radio added that confusion was widespread in Hankow for a period between the departure of the Nationalists and the arrival of the Communists. Looters were everywhere and many stores robbed and much damage done. The garrison commander of Canton, General Yeh Shao, has declared a state of war in the city and advised all citizens to return to their home areas.
Military lorries have been carrying the property of official families to the docks for transportation on a river steamer which runs between Canton and Hong Kong.
The authorities have handed 30 armoured cars to the garrison to help to maintain order inside Canton as the Communist forces draw closer.
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Bibliographic details
Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 22948, 17 May 1949, Page 5
Word Count
227EXODUS FROM CANTON: REDS' THREAT Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 22948, 17 May 1949, Page 5
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