CHINESE CHAOS

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XIX, Issue 305, 11 December 1929, Page 5

CHINESE CHAOS

BRITISH NAVAL REINFORCEMENTS SAFETY OF FOREIGNERS. STATEMENT IN THE COMMONS. ißritian Official Wireless.) Rugby, Dec. 9. The disturbed situation in China was the subject of a statement in the House of Commons by the Foreign Secretary, the Rt. Hon. Arthur Henderson. He said that, following on a mutiny of troops at Kukow, opposite Nanking, President Chiang Kai-shek disarmed the guards left in Nanking by certain generals, of whose loyalty he was doubtful, and arrested their civilian staffs and martial law was proclaimed. Measures were at. once taken for the despatch of British naval rein forcements and preparations made for the evacuation, in case of need, of women and children. A national situation had since developed owing to a revolt of troops stationed on the Shanghai-Nanking railway, about midway between the two cities. In view of these developments, the British Consul-General at Nanking had been instructed that in the event of danger he should at once order the withdrawal of women and chil dren. There were at present two British warships at Nanking, and H.M.S Suffolk was due there to-dav and another cruiser, H.M.S. Ber wick, to-morrow. Regarding the position at Shang hai. Mr Henderson said there were at present three British warships there, and a flotilla leader and two destroyers were on their way from Hongkong. All refitting in the Hong kong dockyard was being expedited and overtime was being worked Ar rangements were in hand for the transfer of a battalion from Hongkong to Shanghai should the situation demand it. Mr. Henderson added that he had no information that British property had been interfered with or endangered elsewhere, except, per haps, at Ichang. A small body of rebels approached that place and preparations were made to evacuate foreigners in case of need. Latet reports showed that the defence of Ichang had received reinforcements and after continuous fighting the rebels had been repulsed. No immediate trouble is foreseen there, but as a precaution women and children either remained afloat or concentrated on the river front.

CRITICAL SITUATION IN NANKING. Tokio, Dec. 10. Unofficial advices state that the situation at Nanking is extremely critical The Japanese, British and other consuls are planning joint measures for the safety of nationals. They have decided to evacuate women and children. The cruisei Hirato is proceeding to Shanghai to co-operate with the Suffolk and other warships for the protection of foreigners in Shanghai. With 5500 troops, American, British, French and Japanese, together with 1500 volunteers and a large police force, there are believed in Shanghai to be sufficient to ensure adequate pro tection of the settlements. To-day H.M.S. Berwick arrived at Shanghai. The Bruce, Serapis and Stormland will proceed up the Yangtse. Barbed wire defences between the French concession and the Chinese city are already manned. The total of foreign troops stationed in China is 15,600.