SUN YAT SEN

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLIV, Issue XLIV, 19 May 1924, Page 5

SUN VAT SEN

EVIDENCE OF DEATH

CONFLICTING REPORTS

BY CABLE—p&£gg ASSOCIATION—COPYBiaui HONGKONG, May 15. The death of Sun .Vat, Sen, the visionary leader of the recalcitrant fcouth China Government, is causing widespread speculation and concern regarding the heritor of his powe* Observers believe that Canton will shortly be annexed by the Peking. Government, wnose forces during the past year havt; been effectively opposing Sun'Yat Sen. Although Sun Vat Sen surrounded him7r, loyal and efficient generals and Governmental experts, it is considered unlikely that any of these associates are likely to wield sufficient influence to prevent the collapse of the southern regime. Reports indicate that Sun Vat Sen's colleagues will shortly evacuate the stronghold in Canton, whereupon Stin lat ben s troops may be a grave menace to the safety of the city, unless Oneno Humg Ming's opposition forces assume immediate control, thereby effecting the first re-entry since their expulsion in 1923 by Sun Vat Sen Many influential Chinese believe that Sun Vat teen s death will hasten the removal of the sectional differences which have so far kept the republic in a state of chaos. Others envisage intra-factional enmities, causing a continuance of civil wars and unparalleled devastation and suffering.

A United Press message from Pekin states that the American Consul in Canton has informed the legation that Dr. Sun Vat Sen is still alive, thereby strengthening the assertions of Sun lat Sen's followers, who during the past week declared that opponents weie circulating rumours of his death in order to weaken the South China movement.

c + H Un ±T a * ?? n's secretary, -however, states that his chief's illness has apparently lent credence to the report of ais death. rt-- ... PEKIN,' May 16. . Officials entertain grave fears of uprisings and disturbances in Southern China as an aftermath of the death of tv ,htr,^ President Tsaokun has telegraphed to Generals Wu Pei Fu and Chihsiehyuan, instructing them to hold woods in readiness for an immedinte Expedition to pacify and unify the n!£T n O f? VlnCes> Xt k reported that United States naval vessels, as well as units from the forces of other toreign Powers, are being held ready to despatch 100,000 Yunnanese troops to Canton m the event of an uprising before his death dictated a will nimtoghl™ S + T as + suf^ ss°r and entrusting £l£? £i.- ta(* of e3S«cuting his policies. This is arousnig jealousy piqued military assSaaU A proposal by the Premier (Mr Sun Pao Uhi) to the Cabinet, asking that the SS,J tJ^v a-d tO secure S2f ua dlvlslon <rf opinion as to

Yat&< J ti Pt m ™&ri™z Sun Vat Sen s death. Meantime it is enforcmg strict censorship at Canton t> *• , ™ . PEKIN, May 17 CanMn £ ? hm€Se correspondent 'in Canton has heen arrested Hi's arrest gecuman interview with Dr^Sun Vat