BATTLE NEAR CANTON

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20899, 13 December 1929, Page 11

BATTLE NEAR CANTON

MODERN METHODS EMPLOYED. FATE OF CITY IN BALANCE. ATMOSPHERE ELECTRICAL. (United Press Association.) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) HONGKONG, December 11. It is probable that the fate of Canton will be decided within the next few days. The rival armies are now in grips within 30 miles of the city, and a fierce battle is in progress. , Reports state that the “ Ironsides ” launched an attack on a large scale, the Cantonese being hurled back, but reinforcements were rushed in commandeered motors yesterday and they smashed the front ranks of the invaders. The atmosphere in Canton is electrical in spite of the assurance at the Canton military headquarters that the battle is favourable to them. It is significant that higher Cantonese officials are sending their families to Hongkong. Last night's river boats were crowded with refugees. Later large numbers of wounded arrived at Canton. _ The present warfare is on modern lines. There is much aeroplane bombing on either side. ’ THE “IRONSIDES” DEFEATED. THREE THOUSAND KILLED. HONGKONG, December -12. (Received Dec. 12, at 10 p.m.) The big battle which was fought between the “ Ironsides ” and .the Cantonese, 15 miles outside of Canton, resulted in a heavy defeat of the “ Ironsides," who, it is said, lost over 3000 killed, while 2000 were taken prisoner. Invaders in the West River sector were also heavily repulsed. MARTIAL LAW IN DISTRICTS. PALL OP HANKOW IMMINENT. SHANGHAI, December 11. Rigid martial law is operating in the Chapei and Mantac districts. Traffic is completely suspended, and shops, houses, and business premises are closed. The authorities are in a state of panic, and the city is restless owing to a report that the_ rebels are planning an attack. Meantime the Government is doing its utmost to stave off the crisis.Nanking is quiet, but the rebels elsewhere are credited with a number of successes, particularly a.t Hankow, where the city's fall is imminent. BRITISH WARSHIPS. FIVE PATROLLING RIVERS. (British Official Wireless.} RUGBY, December 11. Answering a question, the Foreign Secretary (Mr A. Henderson) said that he had no news of any recent fighting in the Canton area, but on December 8 the National Government’s troops, which had been occupying a position some 30 miles from the city, were reported to be falling hack. Canton was reported quiet on that day, with no signs of local disruption. There were five warships on the river patrol, three of which were at Canton, the remainder being disposed of in accordance with the situation. Arrangements had been made to provide military reinforcements should the position necessitate such action. JAPAN DEEPLY CONCERNED WATCHING DEVELOPMENTS. HONGKONG, December 11. Kobe message says that Baron Shidehara confesses that the China situation is unknown to the Foreign Office. He describes the present struggle as war by propaganda, and points out that whatever Government comes into power it will call itself Nationalist, and profess adherence to Sun-Yat-Sen’s principles. He added : My Government is watching further developments in the situation amui deep concern.”