GREAT BATTLE IN CHINA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19659, 10 June 1927, Page 11

GREAT BATTLE IN CHINA.

NORTHERNERS' DEFEAT TOWN FALLS 70 ENEMY. MUTINEERS PUT TO DEATH. NATIONALISTS SUPERIOR. FIRST ENTRY TO SHANTUNG. By Teleßrnph—Press Association—Copyright. (Received June 9. 7.52 p.m.) Sun. SHANGHAI. June 8. A battle which lasted 36 hours, between the Nationalist forces {Southern ers) and the Shantung troops (Northerners) occurred an the border of the Kinngsu and Shantung provinces. The result of tho battle was the capture hy the Nationalists of the town of Hanchwang. The Southerners thus made their first entry into the Shantung Province. Owing to the superior strategy and morale of the Nationalists the Shantungese were doomed to defeat frnm the outset, but they maintained a remarkable defence behind strong fortifications until the Nationalists' aeroplanes systematically v bombarded Hanchwang. One of the Shantung regiments then mutinied. Thereupon the commanding general surrounded most of tho mutineers, a large number of whom were shot immediately or fell beneath executioners' swords. The others fled panic-stricken. lIONAN FRONT CLASH. MANY HUNDREDS KILLED. I | WOUNDED REACH HANKOW. I - Sun. HONGKONG. June 8. A naval wireless message from Hankow says further fighting appears to have broken out on the Honan front. Wounded Nationalist soldiers arc arriving at Hankow in large numbers. It is reported that many hundreds were killed on both sides.