"REDS" ADVANCE

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LII, Issue 17158, 7 October 1926, Page 7

"REDS" ADVANCE

TURMOIL IN CHINA OUTRAGES BY BANDITS CIVILIANS LEAVE WUCHANG MANY TRODDEN TO DEATH Although there is no material change in the war situation in China, the latest reports are not reassuring. The " Red " forces; continue the advance towards Shanghai, and it. is indicated that the opposing forces have been repulsed near Kiukiang. The seige of Wuchang was temporarily lifted after 36 day.s, and many civilians were allowed to leave, but. in a wild stampede to pass through the gates many were trodden to death. (Elec. Tel. Copyright-United Press assn.) (Australian and N.X. Ceblc Association . (Received October 7, 11 a.m.) PEKIN, October 6. After having kept the populace within the walls of Wuchang for 36 days, thousands dying of starvation, disease and wounds," the gates of the city were opened 1 to permit 2000 civilians to leave for Hankow. By agreement between the contending pai'ties all firing ceased for a short time. There was a, mad stampede at the gates, frenzied men, women and children lighting to escape. Numbers of women and children were trodden clown, and trampled to death. An eye witness reports that thousands were unable to leave. They fought madly, but were forced back from the gates by bayonets. The refugees are in a, wretched condition, and report a pitiful state of affairs in the. city. Dead and dying are everywhere, and unless the blockade is lifted speedily all will perish except, the soldiers, who ar« on the point of mutiny. The bandits who recently looted Chowkaikow, looted the cities of .Tungsu and Chenliu. Half of them afterwards proceeded to Kihsienhow, and the other naif do Taipingkan, near Kaifeng, the capital of ITonan province. They arc reported to be 5000 strong, and armed with rilles, machine guns, and small cannon. Tlie gates of Kaifeng are swarmed with refugees fleeing through the night from the afflicted districts. Captives taken by the bandits include a British missionary named Riding. Many hundreds were killed or wounded. ChiHisking, tho farthest up-river trading station and headquarters of the antiforcignism and) " Red Lamp " Society, was again the scene of trouble, and two British gunboats have been despatched to protect the. few remaining foreign merchants. Several attempts were made on the lives of employees of British people. A monster anti-British demonstration was held -at Hankow yesterday. Attemps to enter the foreign concessions were prevented by British marines with difficulty. There was no bloodshed, but much hostility was displayed. The war situation is virtually unchanged. The " Reds " are closing on Kiukiang, the nearest important river port to Shanghai, indicating the. repulse of the anti" Reds."