CIVIL WAR IN CHINA

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19282, 20 September 1924, Page 9

CIVIL WAR IN CHINA

CHE-KIANG TROOPS DESKKT.

CAPTURE OF SHANGHAI IMMINENT.

Prca» Association—By Telegraph—Copyright.

PEKING, September 18. A Presidential mandate has been issued ordering the subjugation of Ghang-Tso-lin. Tho Mandate appoints Wu-Pei-fn Com-mander-in-Chief of the forces engaged in suppressing the rebels. The Che-Kiang southern troops, hawing been, bribed, went over to the E o-Kein side, which is advancing towards HangChow. The Che-Kiang troops on the Ihing front have also gone over to the enemy—in this case the Kiang-Su, side. The Civil Governor of Hang-Chow has proclaimed its independence to save the city from the two armies. There are now only the Shangtung mercenaries of the Che-Kiang army homing out on the LiuhoHwangtu line; but they are expected to surrender to-night, leaving Shanghai at the mercy of the Kiang-Su troops. No fear exists regarding the safety of the settlements in view of what are considered the adequate precautions taken. The volunteers have been called out, and the police and Naval Guards are prepared. -Thousands of refugees are pouring into Shanghai, Lu Yang-hsiang is at the headquarters of his subordinate. An official bulletin says that the FengTien forces are entrenching at Chao-Yang-su, near Chao-Yang. I 1 eng-Tien aeroplanes dropped eight bomba at Shan-Hai-Kwan this morning, but these did no damage. . With the stoppage of the trams Tientsin is faced with a coal shortage, which will soon be serious. The worst aspect is that the Haiho Shipping Line will soon be nnable to obtain bunker coal. It is believed that the authorities will have to cease dredging at the Taku bar, with the result that the river will silt up, thus preventing the entrance of steamers. —A. and N.Z. and Reuter Cables.

THE HANG-CHOW COUP,

HEAVY FIGHTING AT XiUIHO.

PEKING, September 18. {Received Sept. 19, at 8 p-m.) The North China Daily News says that the Hang-Chow coup d’etat which is forcing Lu to leave his capital for Shanghai, was organised by Hsia-Chao, chief of the constabulary of Che-Kiang province, who hat- proclaimed himself Civil Governor. He is known to be unfriendly to Lu. Heavy fighting commenced at Linho after midnight. A large number of wounded are being brought into the Chinese hospitals - :—-Reuter.

FALL OF HANG-CHOW EXPECTED.

CHE-KIANG FORCES COILAPSING.

PEKING, September 19. (Received Sept. 19, at 9.50 p.m.) The Civil Governor fled from HangChow, leaving the Chief of Police in charge. General Sun-Chuan-fang, who is a supporter of the Wu-Pei-fu interests, is marching on the city, which is expected to be captured in a day or two. The latest reports state that the final collapse of the Che-Kiang forces appears to be an early probability.—Reuter.