UNHAPPY CHINA

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 22 September 1925, Page 9

UNHAPPY CHINA

FEAR OF CIVIL WAR.

CLASH EXPECTED NEXT MONTH. RIVAL WAR LORDS. ii CABLE—PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT Receded Sept. 22, 1.5 p.m. PEKIN, Sept. 21. Hasty war preparations and strategic movements of troops in several provinces have created a general fear of a civil Avar. Well informed sources predict a clash between Changtsolin and Fengyuhsiang in October, upon which Wupeifu will enter Hona n with the object* of regaining his headquarters at Honanfu. Changtsolin has sent his ablest general, Yangyuting, to Nankin with artillery, as a countermove to the military activity of Wupeifu’s supporters at Hangchow, who are suspected l to be preparing to occupy Nankin, ivhich vvould also give him control of Shanghai. The cause of the present movements will probably be found in the desire of Changfeng to secure the single control of Peking before the completion of the citizens’ conference, which is opening there on October 10. One of the tasks of the conference Avill be to determine the future form of administration, also the prospect of increased customs revenues. Alter the tariff conference Wupeifu will probably act. as an independent, Avith' the intention of improving his own position. In the meanwhile Tuanchifui is striving mightily to aA r ert an outbreak of hostilities, which Avill probably drive his smooth water barque on the rocks.- —Reuter.

ATTITUDE- OF JAPAN. WILL OBSERVE NEUTRALITY. TOKIO, Sent. 21. The Foreign Office has received con'.dential reports from China, that civil ■.var is imminent between Changtsolin ind Fengyuhsinng. Cabinet lias .voted unanimously for Japanese neutrality jf hostilities break out.

It is understood that _ no customonference will be held in the even! of the war scare. —Reuter.