CHAOS IN CHINA

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19615, 20 October 1925, Page 9

CHAOS IN CHINA

NEW THREAT OF CIVIL WAR A TRIANGULAR SITUATION. PttiM Afaocikti >n— By Telegraph — Copyright. PEKING, October 18. The triangular military situation is interesting. General Wu-Pei-fu’s followers control Hupei and Cho-kiang, with which General Chang-Teo-lin has not interfered, because he feared that if he sent largo forces south of the Yangtse General Feng-Yuh-siang would Cut them off.

Wu’s strongest supporter is Sun-Chuan-fang. It is now announced that there is a combination of five provinces against Chang-Tso-lin, and it is reported that three other provinces are preparing to simport Wu, including Honan, where Yu-Wei-chun, formerly a Fengite, commands 180.000 men, mostly Wu-Pei-fu’s former picked troops. Hitherto Wu-Pei-fu personally has not been identified with the state of war (between Sun-Chuan-fang, Chang-Tso-lin, and I eng Yuh-siang and Chang-Tso-lin, but he has been lying low ready to attack anyone at the opportune moment. Chang-Tso-lin and Feng-Yuh-siang command well-equipped armies of upwards of 200.000 each.

Wu-Pei-fu’s plan, apparently, is to extend and consolidate his central position during the winter and await a conflict between Chang and Feng, which is inevitable.

The immediate question is whether Chang or Feng will interfere.—Reuter.

QUIET RESTORED AT TSING-TAO. PEKING, October 18. The trouble at Tsing-tao has been amicably settled. It is understood that the sailors’ demands were granted.—A. and N.Z. Cable. THE TROUBLES OF CHINA. POWERS TO THE RESCUE. TOKIO, October 8. A long conference was held between the American Commissioner, Mr Silas H. Strawn; the Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs, Baron Shidehara; and Mr Eki Hioki, former Japanese Minister to Germany, in which the American and Japanese attitudes and desires toward China were shown to be almost in complete accord.

Mr Hioki, who is a member of the House of Peers, says that the success of the Powers’ Conference to discuss the extra-territoriality question now depends upon the Chinese ability and deshre to preserve order in Peking, and thus permit the conference to proceed calmly and deliberately.

The attitude of the Chinese in Shanghai towards the judicial inquiry into the recent riots does not, says Mr Hioki, altogether indicate hope that the Peking mobs can bo suppressed. Sir James Macleay, British Minister to China, is due here on Tuesday, and will spend two days consulting with Baron Shidehara and Mr Hioki.

Anxiety over the possible French attitude is now allayed, save the Foreign Office. The Japanese policy is officially announced to be based upon true helpfulness to the Chinese people, in contradistinction to the Government, and fairness to all concerned.