CIVIL WAR IN CHINA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19731, 2 September 1927, Page 11

CIVIL WAR IN CHINA.

A DEFEATED GENERAL. CHIANG LEAVING FOR FRANCE DEFENCE FORCE AT SHANGHAI. BRITISH TOOOP MOVEMENTS. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. (Received September l s 6.5 p.m.) A. and N.Z. SHANGHAI, Aug. 31. It is reported from Hongkong that Marshal Chiang Kai-shek, the erstwhile commander of the Conservative Nationalist Army, which was opposing the Northern Chinese forces, has passed through that city en route to France. Chiang is travelling under an assuii-ed name. He is accompanied by 16 friends who are posing as students. It is officially announced that in pursuance of Britain's policy of gradually reducing the British forces stationed- at Shanghai, the following units will be withdrawn in the coming trooping season:—Th e Ist Field Brigade of the Royal Artillery headquarters, the 13th Infantry Brigade, the Ist Battalion of the Green Howards Regiment, the Ist Battalion of the Border Regiment, the Ist Battalion of the Middlesex Regiment, the Ist Battalion of the Devonshire Regiment. The latter belongs to the 14th Infantry Brigade.

The first unit will leave when the Devonshires embark for Malta not later than September 10. Two of the departing Infantry Battalions are to be replaced by two Battalions of the 15th Infantry Brigade now at Hongkong.. The result of these moves will mean that the British garrison at Shanghai in the coming winter will consist of five Infantry Battalions, also the sth Armoured Car Company and the Royal Tank Corps. YANGTSE ACTIVITIES, VESSELS FIRED UPON. COCKCHAFER IN ACTION. (British Official Wireless.) A. and N.Z. RUGBY, Aug. 31. Despatches from Shanghai report that a convoy bound down the Yangtse River was heavily fired upon by Chines© Soldiern from Morrison Point. The British gunboat Cockchafer returned the fire. She was hit by one shell, which, however, caused only superficial damage. One seaman was slightly wounded.