CANTONESE TACTICS

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 9 March 1927, Page 5

CANTONESE TACTICS

TO GAIN SHANGHAI. SURROUNDING THE CITY. PREPARING LABOUR UPHEAVAL. BY CABLE —PUBS* ASSOCIATION— COP IlUbd i PEKING, March 8. Although the Cantonese capture of Shanghai appears to be a prolonged operation, actually it is proceeding rapidly from the viewpoint of Chinese warfare. The outstanding feature of their tactics since they launched against the North their expedition in July, has been their unchecked advance Within six months they have swept south China, despite a setback and casualties a fortnight ago 50 miles beyond Hangchow, which is regaided as the gateway to Shanghai. They are now following up the tremendous drive and are witlnn shellfire of Shanghai. Diplomacy, not military incompetency, is responsible for their halting on. the outskirts of Shanghai and staging a flank attack, instead of a driving direct and precipitating encounter within earshot of Shanghai, lly driving north-east and cutting off the Shantungites from the Nanking base they achieve the same object and avoid international complication s arising from possible sheets falling into Shanghai. Practically the entire province of •Kiangsu, save the lower lip of the Yangtsze mouth, is controlled by the Cantonese General Galens, who, in directing the Cantonese offensive, aims at compelling the Shantungites . to evacuate Shanghai without fighting, by threatening their communications. Two armoured trainloads of White Russians have entered Shanghai to assist in the defence. Shanghai is engulfed in a flood of pro-Canton propaganda, setting the stage for the entry of the Cantonese.. The most significant precaution in Shanghai is the landing of a large Japanese force to protect the Japanese mills.

Individual assassinations of Chinese strike-breakers have been instigated by the general labour unions, who are hiring paid killers. Dozens of loyalists have been slain in the last fortnight. TTie labour unions are removing obstacles to the strike, planned to synchronise with the capture of Shanghai, in anticipation of the Cantonese final drive. The departure of the Suffolk battalion for Hong Kong has been delayed. The Coldstream Guards have sailed for Shanghai. Eight armoured cars have arrived.

MURDER AND TERRORISM

PAVING THE WAY FOR NEXT STRIKE.

LONDON, March 7. In the House of Commons, Mr. C. P. Trevelyan (Labour) inquired if Britain intended to refuse to allow the Cantonese troops to enter Shanghai, and if they guaranteed the safety of foreigners. Mr. Locker Lampson replied : ‘ T cannot attempt to answer hypothetical questions of this kind.” Mr. Mosley asked: “Have not other participants been allowed to enter?” Mr. Locker Lampson replied: “No armed forces have been allowed to enter Shanghai. The whole point of the British forces being in Shanghai is to prevent the entry of armed Chinese fcjrces. No bodies of Chinese troops have entered the concession or come within the British lines except deserters or stragglers, who have been disarmed.”

The Shanghai correspondent, of 1 ‘The Times” says that labour unions and kindred “Reds” are employing murder and terrorism to pave the way for the next general strike, commencing when the Nationalist headquarters consider the moment favourable for paralysing Chang’s defence. Two men were inveigled from a house and, shot dead. The foreman fo the Shanghai Dock Company and four men were shot at and wounded, and also the foreman of the cotton mill. A threatening letter sent to the Woosung railway workshops caused the staff of 700 to strike.

The “Daily Mail’s” Shanghai correspondent says that the Cantonese unions have sent an ultimatum that the British gunboat must leave Ichang after the conflict between naval men and coolies loading refugees’ luggage. ' The Cantonese are persistently sniping at British vessels on the Yangtsze. Flotilla leader Captain Keppel has entered a protest.

RUSSIANS ARRESTED. SOVIET PROPAGANDA FOUND. THErR RELEASE DEMANDED. Received 10.10 a.m. to-day. PEKING. March 8. A sensation was caused by the news of the arrest and removal to Taianfu of Madame Borodin., three Soviet envoys, and «ix Russian sailors, on the orders of Chang Chung Chang, commander of the anti-Red forces. The pairty’s steamer was detained at Nanking on the route to Hankow, as the result of * flying the Soviet flag. She was boarded and inspected bv Customs officers. The passengers when being examined, refused to open their baggage, declaring that tliev were Soviet officials. As a result the military were informed and they forced boon the baggage. Several trunks of propaganda printed in Chinese and Russian were revealed. Madame Boroclia gave her name as Grossberg. ami said that she had private business at Hankow. The envoys described themselves as couriers of the Soviet Government engaged in diplomatic duties. Madame’s trunks revealed details of the distribution of their contents among anti-Red troops in Kiangsu Province. The ship was seized the Bed flag hauled down, and the Chinese naval flag hoisted. A strong protest has been made by the Soviet, embassy in Poking, and the immediate release is demanded of the ship and the passengers.