CHINESE TROUBLES

Hokitika Guardian, 10 December 1929, Page 5

CHINESE TROUBLES

TAKING PRECAUTIONS. [United Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.] (Received this day at 12.25. p.m.“ SHANGHAI, Dee. 9. In accordance with instructions issued by British and American Consulates foreign women and children are being evacuated from Nanking. A steamer arrived this afternoon with 73 aboard. While the situation in the capital is quiet it is indicative of a seriousness of outlook. CHINESE ACTION. It is reported that Government officials at Nanking have issued wireless instructions for the holding of a swift vessel in readiness to evacuate the government in the case of necessity. A foreign official s opinion, received from Nanking, is that Cliang-Kaisliek is preparing to fight. A telegram received from the cruiser Suffolk this morning stated that all was quiet, hut trouble was anticipated hourly. A train carrying Consular officials to N aiming last night reached the capital safely, but the midnight express was partly derailed as the result of the removal of a section of the rails. Shanghai volunteer corps were ordered to stand-by for mobilisation in the event of trouble. i ■ PIRATES’ ATTACK. A GALLANT DEFENCE SHANGHAI, Dec. 9. Further details of the pirates’ attack on the steamer “Haiching’’ show that the bridge, deck and superstructure is now a mass of twisted ironwork. The deck was strewn with baggage and blood. The death roll is believed to be heavy. Captain Farrar gallantly gave the order to lower the lifeboats and save tli© women and children, meanwhile holding the pirates at bay, shooting atr evtorv opportunity. One lifeboat was rushed and fell in the sea, drowning many. During the height of .the fight, the pirates three times attempted to rush the bridge, but were repulsed with a hail of lead. The captain’s aim was deadly. After firing the ship the pirates attempted to leave by lifeboats, but withering fire from the bridge wrought havoc, wounding and killing many. To-day the British Admiral and General visited the stricken vessel, complimenting the captain and officers on tueir gallantry. The pirates acted fiendishly, killing children in cold blood. AMERICAN ADMIRAL. LEAVES FOR SHANGHAI. MANILA, Oct. 9. Admiral Charles McVay, Commander oi the Asiatic Fleet, sailed for Shanghai, aboard the cruiser Pittsburg, to be at the centre of the trouble. McVay said, due to the serious situation in China and possibility of the lives of American citizens becoming endangered, that he believed it his duty to go to Shanghai.

CRITICAL SITUATION AT TANGTSE PORTS.'’ (Received this dav at 10 a.m.) RUGBY, Dec. 9. A somewhat critical situation exists in several Yangtse ports arising out of the advance of Kerominchung troops and defections among National troops at Change-how, which led £o an interruption in railway communications between Nanking and Shanghai. The conditions appear uncertain and as a precaution measure, the British cruiser Suffolk left Shanghai for Nanking yesterday morning in order to he available if required, for the safety of foreign residents. The cruiser Berwick has left Hongkong to replace the Suffolk at Shanghai.