CHINA WAR SITUATION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19957, 28 May 1928, Page 9

CHINA WAR SITUATION.

NORTHERN OFFENSIVE. HOPES OF AN ARMISTICE. EFFORTS BEING EXERTED. JAPAN OCCUPIES AREAS. Australian and N.Z. Press Association. (Received May 27, 5.55 p.m.) TOKIO, May 26. Reports received at Tokio from Tientsin, China, state that the armies of the Manchurian war-lord Chang Tso-lin have commenced a general offensive against the Southern allies. Nevertheless, there is a growing impression in Japan that some form of armistice may yet be arranged to permit either of a continuation of Chang's regime in Peking or the creation of a buffer area between the Nationalists and Chang in the Peking-Tientsin zone. Japanese officials continue to be pessimistic about Chang's success, but it is known that efforts are being exerted in some quarters to arrange a cessation of the civil war in China on a basis of diplomatic agreements rather than of finishing the war. Japan's military preparations in South Manchuria are being continued apace. There are daily movements of troops and the entire Japanese position between Mukden and Shanhaikwan is being strengthened. Despatches from Tsingtao, the eastern port of Shantung, state that RearAdmiral Mukaida, commanding the second Japanese squadron in China, issued a summary order preventing the Chinese war ships Tsingtao and Kiaochow from engaging in belligerent operations, on the ground that foreign nationals would be uselessly endangered. General Yasumitsu, commanding the Nagoya Division, has requested the Northern and the Southern forces to retire beyond a 20-mile line on either side of the Kiaochow-Tsinan railway, on the ground that the presence of Chinese forces in that area threatens foreign interests. The military have also ordered the cessation of all anti-Japanese propaganda in the occupied areas. NORTHERN SUCCESSES. FOUR DAYS' ENGAGEMENT. CAMPAIGN AGAINST FENG. United Service. SHANGHAI, May 25. The fighting along the line of the Peking-Hankow railway has assumed serious proportions. In the four days' engagement the Northerners encountered the first Kuominchun Army and won ground at every encounter. The former are now nearing Chcngting, 140 miles south-west of Peking. The capture of Suiyuan by the Southerners is reported, owing to the Northerners' withdrawal to Hsilung-kiang. Northern cavalry is now passing through Tientsin for the purpose of dealing with raiders on the centre line between the two railways. The reorganised Shantung armies are moving southwards from Tsanpchow, 60 miles south of Tientsin through the empty territories lately abandoned by the Southerners. The general impression of the situation seems to be that the Northerners are concentrating for a swift campaign against tho " Christian General," Feng Yu-hsiang, in the hope of completing his elimination. Eight hundred Japanese troops, the vanguard of the Nagoya Division, arrived at Tientsin to-day and 3000 moro are due to-morrow.