CHINA

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 3 October 1924, Page 5

CHINA

A TOWN IN FLAMES

(By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) (Reuters Telegrams.;

SHANGHAI, October 1

The town of Lotion is in flames and a considerable portion has been destroyed. The fire is suspected to be the work ot Kinagsu agents who are committing outrages in order to create disturbances.

PANIC IN PEKIN

PEKIN, Oct. 2

A Mukden message states that private communications smuggled through the Pekin censorship indicate that many citizens in Pekin are in a state of panic fearing the collapse of Jupeifu and the looting of the city. The withdrawal of Chang’s troops for the war front is encouraging banditry on a large scale. A clash occurred at Taipingchuan, in which the Chihlites' were driven back, leaving a hundred dead, and fled, southwards. Another clash occurred near Hsimiao, where a number of Chililities were killed and a hundred captured. Both towns are in tlie Chienping district.

BANDITS ATTACK A TRAIN

PEKIN, Oct.. 2.

On tlie 29th a Large force of bandits attacked a. Chinese eastern train, directing voile vs at the engine in the hope of killing the crew. They failed in tnis, but a Russian passenger was killed a,ml seven wounded.

JAPAN’S INTERESTS

SHANGHAI, Oct.. 2

Further reference to Japan’s interest« in Manchuria are contained in the following statement, by Mr Yoshizawa, Japanese minister in-Pekin, iiijlie.couise of an interview: 'Japan s principle is maintaining strict neutrality, _ but _ it must be remembered that she has important rights and interests in Manchuria, which are greatly different from those she has in other parts of China, This is a point which I hope will be : kept fully in mind both by China and the Foreign powers.” After mentioning that there had been two or three bandit cases in the interior of Manchuria as the result of withdrawal of. Cliang-Tso-Lin s troops to the front, Mr Yoshizawa continued • “Taking into, consideration the fact that Wu Pei Fu will shortly proceed to the front it may be inferred that the main fighting will occur soon. It is expected that a practical issue regarding Japan’s special relations with. China avill arise after the entry of Chihli troops into Manchuria. Fou this reason Japan is attaching, much importance to the development of the war situation. Should the. Mukden troops bo defeated and in the event of Chilites entering Manchuria in pursuit, such an-issue, as referred to above would undoubtedly arise.”