Evacuation Of Canton By Nationalist Army Is Almost Complete

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27211, 14 October 1949, Page 7

Evacuation Of Canton By Nationalist Army Is Almost Complete

New Zealand Press Association—Copyright , Rec. 11.59 p.m. HONGKONG, Oct. 13. The evacuation of Canton will be completed by to-morrow night and the city will be abandoned by Saturday, according to a Chinese source who claimed that this information came from a high-ranking Nationalist officer who arrived in Hongkong from Canton last night. The informant said the Nationalist High Command is sacrificing two regiments in an attempt to hold up General Chen Keng’s advance until all Nationalist troops in the Canton area are evacuated. It is reported that Nationalist China’s refugee Government will operate in Chungking officially from Saturday.

The official Central News Agency, quotating a Presidential decree", said to-day that the removal of the capital to Chungking was made in order to increase the strength of the fighting forces and reduce the burden on" nonbelligerents. The decree said the Government had made adequate preparations on the south-west mainland for a coming counter-attack against the Communists. The decree added that the present entry of the Reds into Kwangtung territory did not affect in the least the determination of the Nationalist Government to continue to defend Canton and the south-west.

Meanwhile General Chen Keng’s main force striking southward along the Canton - Hankow railway has reached Fahsien, 20 miles north of Canton. The Nationalist air force, in a desperate attempt to halt the Communists, made 240 bombing and strafing sorties yesterday. The threat to the Canton-Kowloon railway from Communist troops striking down the East River is reported to have increased as irregulars have linked up with troops on General Chen Keng’s left flank. Canton was blacked out for one hour earlier last night as new curfew regulations were enforced. The harbour was deserted. Ships which normally are tied up alongside city wharves had suddenly disappeared. This is attributed to owners’ fears that ships may be requisitioned for evacuation purposes. Two British ships will continue to ply between Hongkong and Canton to help evacuate foreigners and Chinese until the last moment. A heavily-booked night express, bringing hundreds of evacuees from Canton to Hongkong, reached the colony several-hours late, due to extensive Nationalist troops’ movements at the Canton terminal.

Among thousands evacuating Canton to-day were 22 Russians, the first batch of the Soviet Embassy officials to leave. The rest will leave to-mor-row. The Soviet officials left the Embassy building on the Shameen and walked towards the island’s west bridge, carrying their own luggage. Chinese coolies refused to carry it. The independent Chinese newspaper. Sing Tao, reported to-night that Communist irregulars had entered the outskirts of Canton.