CHINA TOTTERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14819, 24 October 1911, Page 7

CHINA TOTTERS.

IMPERIALS EOUTED. "AWAITING DEATH." LEADERS DESPERATE. WOODEN SHELLS. By Telegraph.—Press' Association.— Copyright. (Received October 23, 9.50 p.m.) -• ••■••' Pekin, October 23. Admiral Sa-chen-ping and General Yin-chang, commanding the Imperial fleet and army, in a joint despatch, state: -• Though we were at first successful at Hankow, we had so many wounded that our force was enfeebled, and, being unable to secure reinforcements, we had to retreat. The fleet is out of coal and rice. . We are now awaiting death.

TROOPS STAMPEDE. THEIR RETREAT CUT OFF. REBELS WELL POSTED. (Received October 23, 9.20 p.m.) Pekin, October 23. The third brigade of the Imperialists was completely routed at Hankow and stampeded northwards. It returned to Sin-yan-chau to await reinforcements. The rebels are fortifying themselves in the hills. Yin-chang is approaching Sin-yan-chau with 20,000 Imperial troops. It is believed that the rebels hold the passes connecting the Provinces of Honan. and Hupeh, cutting off the retreat of 3000 Imperialists from Hankow . It is also believed that the way is impassable for Yinchang's forces. The rebels hold Kwang-chau, 60 miles from Hankow, where the river is narrowest, for the purpose of harassing Admiral Sa-chen-ping's fleet.

FLEEING v NORTHWARDS. ...... .Pekin, October 22. , The rebels at Hankow, attacked the Imperial troop:-* position at Seven-mile Creek, near { Hankow. The Imperial" army was' defeated, and fled far to the northwards. MUST GAIN A VICTORY. OR CAUSE GENERAL BLAZE. (Received October 23,: 9.50 p.m.) .•;":' Pekin, October 23. An official despatch to the British legation, states , .that , unless., Yinchang obtains; a decisive victory within a few days, the whole of the Yangtse Valley will be ablaze.

NO MONEY FROM POWERS. j NEUTRALITY DECLARED. CHANGSHA FALLS. (Received October 23. .9.20 p.m.) - Pekin, October 23.« The foreign Consuls at Hankow have proclaimed the neutrality of their'- Governments in the present conflict between the Throne and the rebels. . . - It is stated in Shanghai that the Chinese Government's application for a loan was refused on the grounds that to grant it would be a breach of the neutrality which the Powers desire to observe. • Consular reports confirm the fall of Changsha.

CORRUPT OFFICIALS. WOODEN AMMUNITION. (Received,. October 23. 9.20 p.m.) Pekin, October 23. Many of the shells fired by the Chinese gunboats at Hankow were merely painted .wood. The existence of these useless substitutes is due to the corrupt practices of Chinese officialdom.

BELATED DEMOCRACY.

MANCHU . BLINDNESS. (Eeceived October 23. 9.50 p.m.) Pekin, October 23. The National Assembly has been opened. The Speech from the Throne does not mention the rebellion. FATE OF THE WOUNDED. MUTILATED AND KILLED. NO RED CROSS. Pekin, October 22. The Red Cross has not secured recognition by. the Imperial leaders. Many of the wounded were uncared for after the Hankow fight, and were subsequently killed or mutilated by , civilian sympathisers with the revolt.

YUAN'S LITTLE COMEDY. HIS SORE FOOT. DOES NOT WANT COMMAND. (Received October 23, 9.50 p.m.) Pekin, October 23. In replying to the Imperial Edict ordering him to co-operate in order to suppress the revolution, Yuan-

shih-kai stated . that his foot is not healed, and he enumerated other complaints from which he says he is suffering," rendering him unable to work at present. ?. An Imperial rescript was then issued ordering Yuan-shih-kai to resume his duties when he is better. Yuan-shih-kai's reply to this was ironical, and he will be dismissed, ostensibly owing" to injuries to his head and foot. REBELS' FLAG IN SYDNEY. : REVOLUTIONARY SPIRIT. Sydney, October 23. The revolutionary flag was hoisted above the .Chinese. Masonic Society in Sydney yesterday. .' '. There was no demonstration, but the revolutionary spirit is spreading.