TURMOIL IN CHINA

Otago Witness, Issue 3808, 8 March 1927, Page 29

TURMOIL IN CHINA

AN ALARMING REPORT. SERIOUS REVERSE FOR NORTHERNERS. SHANGHAI, March 5. Despite official denials it is increasingly reported that General Chen Tai-yuan, Governor of Anwhei, has joined the Southerners, cut the Tientsin-Pukow railway, and destroyed a large bridge at Kuchen, north of Anwhei, thus cutting off General Chang Tsung-Chang’s main means of moving his large Shantung forces to Nanking, on the way to Shanghai. If the report is it means the biggest reverse for the Northerners, as the Southerners will now be able to come through Anwhei and attack "Nanking on almost all-sides, while the Northerners, with their forces practically split in half, are unable to rush up reserves. The cutting of the railway will also prevent the Fengtien advance on Honan. SHANGHAI MENACED. SHANGHAI, March 5. oThe Cantonese arc steadily surrounding Shanghai. The Shantungit.es are threatened with the severance of the Nanking base by the approach of the Cantonese,'who are-aiin-ing at the seizure of both railways leading to Shanghai. Another general strike is regarded as certain when the Cantonese launch their attack. A British force is entrenched on the railway embankment approaching the settlement. A crisis is expected in from three to five days. The United States marines, 1300 strong, had their first route march through the streets of the settlement today, and returned aboard their ships, as at present there is no room to billet them ashore. Additional troops are leaving Hongkong for Shanghai in view of the looming crisis.

A later message states that persistent reports that General Chang Tsun-chang and General Chiang Kaishek have reached an agreement providing that there shall be no opposition to the Southern forces occupying Shanghai requires confirmation. LAUNCH COMMANDEERED. SHANGHAI, March 4. The steam launch Meifoo was commandeered by Chinese soldiers and taken down stream. The American Admiral, who was notified o.f the seizure, despatched GO marines to follow the launch, which they overtook five miles away. The soldiers, although armed, did not fire, and surrendered the launch to the marines. LOCATION OF BRITISH ’TROOPS. SHANGHAI, March L Mr Hsuyuan, Chinese Commissioner of Foreign Affairs at Shanghai, has sent a letter "to- the senior Consul, strongly protesting against the stationing of British troops outside the Settlement boundaries, and asking for their immediate withdrawal. The protest is regarded as a pro forma affair, dictated by Mr Hsuyuan’s desire to keep favour with the Southerners. INLAND MISSIONARIES. SAFE ARRIVAL AT COAST. Mr John Wilkinson, the local hon. secretary of the China Inland Mission, state* that the authorities of the mission at Shanghai, China, have cabled as follows: — “February 7.—Al] workers arrived at the coast from Kwangsinfu River, Loping, Jaochow, excepting Miss A. M. Yohansen ami Mr and Mrs Cox. Western Szechuan has been evacuated. February 21.—Acting under Consular advice as a measure of precaution, all workers arrived safely al the coast. From Yungning (Mr and Mrs F. Bird), Kiungchow (Mr and Mrs Richardson), Tachu (Miss M. Edwards), Suitingfu (Mr and Mrs Funnel! and Mr and Mrs Hannah), Antung'’(Mrs Macfarlane and Miss Searle), Yangchow training home (Misses Day, Dix, and Smith), also Mr and Mrs Bomby. Mr and Mrs Worley, Mrs Hutchinson, Mrs Anderson, and Miss Foote. Of the names above-mentioned, Mr and Mrs Richardson, Mr and Mrs Funnell, Miss Searle, Miss Smith, Mr and Mrs Worley, and Mrs Anderson are missionaries from New Zealand.