WAR IN CHINA

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 26 April 1928, Page 7

WAR IN CHINA

SOUTHERN OFFENSIVE. TO CAPTURE TSINANFU. FOREIGNERS AT OHEFOO. (UNITED TRESS ASSOCIATION—BY ELECT!;H

T El. EG RA PH—OOP YRIG HT.) / (UNITED SERVICE.) SHANGHAI, April 24. A combined offensive with every unit •ot the force® under Cliiang Kaisliek and Peng Yusiang, the allied Nationalist generals, concentrated on the mam sector ox tne Tientsin-J'tiKow railway, was launched this aiternoon in a iinai enort to capture tne strategic city ox Tsinanfu, tne capital ox (Shantung. Northern resistance has recently oeen strengthened by the arrival of reinforcements loaned by Unang Tso Lin, but is reported to be unable to withstand the attack, and the capture or Tsinanfu is imminent.

The United States Consul at Ohefoo. an important Shantung port with a considerable foreign population, has telegraphed requesting the despatch ox a warship lor the defence of nationals iroin bandit hordes awaiting the expected collapse ,of the Shantung Government, Several American destroyers on the way from Manila are reported to be diverted to Ohefoo.

Despite an outburst of protest from Nanking and I'eking the Government’s despatch to Shantung of Japanese troops is proceeding steadily. A stream of trie latter is pouring into Shantung in anticipation of the lall of Tsinamu and consequent disorder and danger to Japanese residents. Peking is reported to be genuinely perturbed at the delelopments of the war.

PROGRESS OF OFFENSIVE. NORTHERN RESISTANCE STRENGTHENING. Beceived 10.45 a.m. to-day. SHANGHAI, April 24. The situation near Changcliow is turning in favour of the Northern ioroes, who are shortening their line and preparing for a strong defence of Peking. " Despatches from Shantung indicate that the fail of Tsinanfu is imminent to Chiang Kaishek’s Southern armies, while Feng Yuhsiang’s troops advancing, along the Grand Canal captured Feichow. DESPATCH OF JAPANESE TROOPS Received 10.45 a.m to-day. TOKIO, April 25. ■ The warship Kasuga, with two hundred men of the Yokosuka, independent corps, has ari'ived at Tsingtao, where the troops were entrained for Szelang to guard the Japanese-owned spinning factories, and relieving the marines who are now guarding the works.