SIEGE OF NANKING

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVII, Issue 218, 29 August 1927, Page 5

SIEGE OF NANKING

NORTHERN FORCE TRAPPED ON CROSSING THE YANGTSE. SOUTHERNERS’ TEMPORARY VICTORY. [By Cable —Press Assn. — Copyright.] (Received 29, 10.0 a.m.) Shanghai, Aug. 28. Following the Northerners’ attempt on Friday to cross the Yangtse and launch an attack on Nanking, the present stronghold of the Nationalists, and the Southerners, those who crossed, approximately 10,000, were either killed or taken prisoners, the wounded being murdered. This shows the determination of tho Southerners to fight instead of fleeing, though it is believed that their resistance will be shortlived.

The Northern drive was badly managed, and it was a simple task for the Southerners to wipe out the small force which crossed the river, and which was never reinforced through want of transportation. The Southerners killed the general commanding, and regained Lungtan station, midway between Nanking and Chin-Kiang, re-opening railway communication to Shanghai, which was interrupted on Friday owing to the cutting of tho railway by Northern spies.

A second crossing is anxiously awaited. Meanwhile the Northern artillery continues to bombardw Nanking continuously. The damage to Nanking and Pukow cities is increasing, as the gunners are improving with practice. Ships passing run great risks, and warships convoy them.—(A. and N.Z.)

SALE OF OPIUM LEGALISED.

FUNDS FOR THE EXCHEQUER.

(Received 29, 2.30 p.m.) Snanghai, Aug. 28.

The Opium Suppression Bureau headquarters in the Chinese city has issued a proclamation authorising and legalising the sale of opium ‘or smoking purposes, acting in conjunction with the Nationalist authorities for the purpose of replenishing the Exchequer’s sadly-needed funds to continue the war. Dealers and smokers are required to register at an average fee for the former of £3OO or a monthly license. For 30 smokers the license fee is equal to £l. The revenue expected to be derived therefrom will be enormous as Shanghai is the centre of distribution for the whole of China. It is conservatively estimated that the monthly importation of Turkish, Persian, and Indian opium is 500 tons, valued at £10,000,000, in addition to native products imported from the provinces. It is estimated that there are 200,000 smokers in Shanghai and their failure to register it the bureau will entail severe punishment.—(A. and N.Z.)