CHINA

Inangahua Times, 10 December 1929, Page 3

CHINA

(By Beetrle Telegraph—Copyright.) (Ana Press Assn, and Ban Cable.) Nanking Women and Children Evactuated Reed 11 45 a m , Shanghai, Dec 9 , ( In accordance with Ihe instruc- | ! tions issued bv the British and American Consulates, foreign women and children are being evacuated from Nanking. A steamer arrived this afiernooo with seventy three aboard.

/\. I ; r Ships Held in Readiness . i 1 While the situation in the capital ‘ is quiet, and indicative of the seriousness of the outlook, it is reported that Government officials at Nanking have issued wireless instructions for the holding of swift vessels in readiness to evacuate the Government id case of necessity. | Kiang Preparing to Fight Foreign official opinion received from Nanking is that Kiang Kia Shek is preparing to fight. A telegram received from the cruiser Suffolk this morning states that all is quiet, but trouble is anticipated hourly. j Midnight Express Derailed A tram carrying Consular officials to Nanking last night reached the capital safely, but the midnight express was partly derailed, the result of the removal of a section of I rails. The Shanghai Volunteer Corps have been ordered to stand by for | mobilisation, in the event of trouble Pirates Attack of the Haichang A Gallant Defence Pirates Murder Children % Further details of the pirates’ attack on the steamer Haichang show that the bridge, deck and superstructure are now a mass of twisted ironwork. The decks are strewn with baggage and blood. j The death roll is believed to be heavy. | Captain Farrar gallantly gave the order to lower the lifeboats to save women and children, meanwhile bolding the pirates at bay and shoot ingat every opportunity. One lifeboat was rushed and fell into 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 tried to leave by lifeboats, but a withering fire trom the bridge wrought havoc, wounding and killing many. I To-day the British Admiral and General visited the stricken vessel, complimenting the captain and officers on their gallantry. The pirates acted fiendishly, , killing the children in cold blood. Admiral Leaves for Shanghai Reed 11.45 a ra Manila, Dec g Admiral Charles McVay, Commander of the Asiatic fleet, sailed for Shanghai aboard the cruiser Pitsburg, to be at the centre of the trouble. Admiral McVay said, due to the serious situation in China, and the possibility that the lives of American citizens might become endangered, he believed it to be his duty to go to Shanghai. 9=9==— ——=» j