CHINA

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLII, Issue XLII, 1 May 1922, Page 5

CHINA

HOSTILITIES COMMENCE,

PRECAUTIONS BY FOREIGN

POWERS.

BY CABLE—PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT

TSIENTSIN, April 28. Hostilities between the forces ;of Chang Tso Lin and Wu Pei Fu have begun near Machan in a general attack. ■ N VANCOUVER, April 29. Shanghai and Canton dispatches report that nine warships, being the last of the Pekin Government's navy, surrendered to Sun Vat Sen after three bombing planes hit one ship, killing twenty and injuring thirty sailors. The navy's loyalty was suspected, owing to the refusal of commanders to pledge neutrality during Sun Vat Sen's northern expedition. Fearing the bombardment of. Canton, it was decided to demand the warships' surrender. The latter refused and cleared for action, whereupon 'planes were ordered to concentrate upon the cruiser Hai Chi, which was quickly put out of action. PEKIN, April 28. The British, American, French and Japanese Legations are increasing their precautions to protect the railway from Pekin to the sea. Martial lawhas been declared in Tsientsin" and Tsinanfu.: The Foreign Legations have warned the Government that'if Pekin is bombarded the consequences will.be serious and the Powers will be annoyed. Any .attempt to damage the railway bridges, stations or communications ' will be resisted by the combined forces.