SOUTHERN ADVANCE BELIEVED CHECKED.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 26 April 1928, Page 2

SOUTHERN ADVANCE BELIEVED CHECKED.

THE POSITION IN CHINA. FENG SAID TO BE ON RETREAT. British Official Wireless RUGBY, April 28. The war between the Northern and Southern Chinese, when the Southern advance began about a fortnight ago, is proceeding with varying fortune, and 'Southern progress for the time being seems to have been Jicekod.

Tsi-ning which on 17th April was captured from Sun Chuan-fang, the Northern General, in an attack aimed at his think by General Feng Yu-hsiang, is now reported retaken. Fong is said to be withdrawing to the West, while Sun is expected to join up with .the forces of General Chang Cnnng chang. On the Kishat front heavy fighting is proceeding. The report that the Northerners have lost Ta-ming is denied. They are within a few mile? of Changte and claim to have made progress in Eastern Shansi. FALL OF STRATEGIC TST.-NAN-FU IMMINENT. Received Wednesday 11.0 p.m. SHANGHAI, April 21.

A combined offensive with every unit of the forces under General Chiang Kai-shek and General Feng Yu-hsiang, the allied Nationalist Generals, concentrated on the main sector of the Tioh-tsin-Pukow railway was launched t.his afternoon in a final effort to capture the strategic city of Tsi-nan-fu Shantung's capital.

Northern resistance has recently been strengthened by the arrival of reinforcements loaned by Marshall Chang Tso-lin, hut it is reported to he unable to withstand the attack and capture of Tsi-nan-fu is imminent. The United States Consul at Chefoo, an important Shantung port with a considerable foreign population, has telegraphed requesting the despatef. of a warship for the defence of natiorals from bandit hordes awaiting thf expected collapse of the Shantung Gov ernment.

Several American destroyers on the way from Manila are reported to bo diverted to Chefoo.

Despite the outburst of a protest from the Nanking and Peking Governments the despatch to Shantung of Japanese troops is proceeding. A steady stream of the latter is pouring into Shantung in anticipation of the fall of Tsi-nan-fu and consequent dis order and danger to Japanese residents. Peking is reported to be genuinely perturbed at war developments.

AMERICANS MAY BE v WHOLLY EVACUATED V FROM DANGER ZONE

Received Wednesday, 5.5 p.m. WASHINGTON, April 24. The State Department is again seriously considering the wholesale evacuation of Americans from the Chinese war zone due to the continuation of the Southern Armies’ unimpeded drive towards Peking. There are at present over twentyfive hundred United States’ citizens in the provinces of Chihli and Shantung which form the - theatre of war. LINER TAKES SOLDIER GUARD. FEARING DEPREDATIONS OF PIRATES. Received Wednesday, 5.5 p.m. SHANGHAI. April 28. Illustrating the extraordinary growth of piracy in Chinese waters the Cana dian-Pacific liner, the "Empress ol Canada,” of 20,000 tons, which is in the Manilg-Vancouver service arrived at Shanghai from Hongkong during the week end carrying a guard of fifty British soldiers, portion of the Hongkong garrison loaned by the Governor as the result of a rumour that an attempt to seize the vessel had been planned.

The rumour emanated from the recent piracy of the Chinese steamer "Hsinwah” which was officered by foreigners. The loader of the pirates informed the Chinese pm>r;r he was disappointed in the "Hsinwah” pir acy and proposed to raid the next British or American vessel.

A guard was placi?d on the "Empress of Canada” in order to case the minds of passengers.