British Navy Sides Against Chinese Navy’s Blockade

Grey River Argus, 8 November 1949, Page 5

British Navy Sides Against Chinese Navy’s Blockade

N.Z.P.A.—Reuter. HONG KONG, Nov 7. A Chinese Nationalist warship at the mouth of the Yangtze River has intercepted a British steamer, the Tsinan, which was en. route to Hong Kong, with a cargo from the Com-munist-held port of Shanghai The negotiations between these two ships are now proceeding. They are being held under the eyes of a British warship, standing by a short distance away. The Chinese warship told rhe Tsinan she would be released only on condition that she returned to Shanghai and discharged the cargo. The Tsinan refused. The position reached a deadlock. A report from the Nationalist base in the Chusan Island quotes the Chinese naval commander, Niyuesi as saying that the British frigate “Alacrity” on Saturday, defied the Nationalist warning to keep outside of the Chinese territorial waters. The Alacrity was then waiting to escort the Tsinan from the mouth of the Yangtse. Admiral Niyuesi had assured the Tsinan she would be safe, but he asked the British warship to “’keep off.” The Alacrity is reported to have replied, “I consider this area outside your territorial waters, and shall consider myself free to move as 1 like. I am obliged to carry out the duty of protecting British shippi on the high seas.” Admiral Niyuesi then signalled: “This is not the high seas. This is inland waters.”