VITAL BATTLES

Grey River Argus, 20 May 1947, Page 5

VITAL BATTLES

IN NORTH CHINA

*B IN MANCHURIA

(Rec. 9.30). NANKING, May 19. Because of an increasing Communist offensive in Manchuria, martial law was declared to-night in the threatened capital city of Changchun. Chinese press reports said that Communists were attacking railways north, south and west of Changchun, and that Chinese Government reinforcements were hastening northwards from-the vicinity of the Great Wall. The reports suggested that Techwei, an important advanced base, 50 miles north-west of ChengchUn, might be the Communists’ first big objective, with Changchun the next. In China proper, Communist pressure is reported to be increasing south of Taiyuan, capital of the province of Shansi. Heavy fighting is also reported east of Mengyin, in the Shantung province. STUDENTS IN CHINA DEMAND MORE FOOD The high price of rice, due to the continuing inflation of the Government’s currency, touched off recent demonstrations, which include huge numbers of hungry city workers as well as students.

The Chinese State Council, at an emergency meeting, adopted a series of measures condemning mass representations by people's organisations’ or students to Government agencies and limiting to 10 the number of persons who can make appeals. The council ruled that if students or people’s organisations cause social disorder, block communications, impede public services, destroy property or injured people, the “local authorities may adopt emergency measures to stop these actions effectively’’. The council also decreed that those who violate the criminal law provisions should be sent to court for trial.

STUDENTS GOBBLE UP MINISTERS' MEATS

Chinese students’ strikes' spread during the week-end to at least 17 universities. Six universities were closed at Nanking, five in Shanghai, three in Peking, two in Hangchow, and one at Kinhwa.

It is estimated that 1500 students were absent from classes. They were demanding higher food rations, increased Government subsidies, and changes in their courses. Seven hundred university students ended an agitation for bigger food allowances by swarming into the Executive Yuan’s mess-hall, and eating an evening meal prepared for members of Cabinet and the staff. Stocks proved insufficient, so the strikers telephoned the university and had their regular school dinner hauled by rickshaw for two miles down the main road of Nanking. The students then consumed their meal in the Yuan’s dining room.

Members of the Executive Yuan’s staff later had short rations. VicePremier Wang Yunwu entered the dining room and told the students the Government had decided that the food subsidy ciiuld not be increased at present, but would be readjusted every three months. The Government was unable to increase the number of students receiving subsidy. Attempts were being made to get a continuance of the U.N.R.R.A . aid which hah been given to students.

The statement was greeted with howls and hisses and very much ruffled the portly, grey-haired Minister. Mr Wang retreated, saying: “I’m Vice-Premier of the Chinese Republic, and you cannot treat me in this manner”.

Marshal Chiang’s view is that the

student demonstrations were organised by the Communists. A press correspondent stated this view is not shared by many political observers, who believe that some of the student agitation was started as a manifestation of rivalry between Kuomintang cliques and some sprang from a genuine flaring up of student dissatisfaction with the stringent living conditions. It is generally believed, however, that the Leftists are taking advantage of the situation as it develops. Nanking’s institutions of higher learning, except Gingling College for women, decided to strike, and to appeal for similar strikes in all universities of China, and to press a new demand on the Government that all students throughout China should be given food subsidies. KAI-SHEK’S STRAIGHT TALK Marshal Chiang Kai-shek, in a statement, addressed striking students at 17 Chinese universities, who are demanding higher food rations, increased Government subsidies and changes in the curricula. He said: “The money that the Government pays for youi’ upkeep comes from the toiling masses, who are in an indescribable plight, surviving on pitifully little”. He said their demands were unreasonable and excessive. The recent riots and demonstrations were the direct work of Communists, who had chosen the students as their first instruments in a vast plot to destroy order and seize political power. Marshal Chiang, giving a warning that the Government was contemplating drastic measures, added: “The Government cannot tolerate disregard of the national interests and the riots staged to coerce the masses for the benefit of the few”.

Chinese Success Develops in Shantung

(Rec. 10.20) NANKING, May 19. Chinese Government reports claimed that Communist troops in Centra] Shantung are falling back northwards, and are being pusued by seven Chinese Nationalist divisions, which had captured five mountain strongholds, and had inflicted heavy casualties.

The reports added that a battle, which would decide Shantung’s fate, was now turning definitely in favour of the Nationalists.

Communists Close on Capital of Manchuria

(Rec. 10.30) NANKING, May 19. In Manchuria, according to semiofficial reports, Communists raiders infiltrated an airfield in the suburbs of the capital of Chungchun, but, after damaging installations, they were repulsed by the airfield garrison. Meanwhile, the main Communist force stormed into Huaiteh,,26 miles west of Changchun, but the advance units were halted, following heavy fighting within ten miles of the capital.

The Government has claim - 1 + hnf Nationalists still occupy a section of Huaiteh.