"STILL GRAVE"

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16234, 7 January 1927, Page 11

"STILL GRAVE"

POSITION IN CHINA

AN OFFICIAL ADMISSION

BRITAIN HUMILIATED

(Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Sydney Sun Cables.) (Received' January 7, o p.m.) LONDON, January 6.

Official circles admit that the Chinese situation is still grave, but point out that the withdrawal of women and children from Hankow is not necessarily alarming.

A political correspondent says: "Not a shot will be fired on behalf'of Britain unless it is absolutely necessary for defence. Trouble makers are doing their utmost to get Britain to open fire, and are only awaiting a single shot' which will start a conflagration. The Kuoniintung is doing everything possible to humiliate Britain, hyi| Britain does not want warfare."

A despatch received at Downing Street states that Cheng apologised for the desecration of the war memorial, and also asked Downing Street to instruct Sir Miles Lampson to recall the women and children, for whom Cheng personally guarantees safely, hut it is unlikely that the inhabitants will return.

HUMILIATING STORY

LOSS OF BRITISH PRESTIGE

(Sydney Sun Cables.) (Received January 7, 3 p.m.)

SHANGHAI. January 6

The story of the evacuation 1 'of the British concession at Hankow is the most humiliating in the, history of foreigners in China.' While owing to the distance full details are not available sufficient have arrived in private messages'ib indicate the total'failure of the British preparations to meet the siluatio{i created by Kuomint'ung agitators. The smallness'of the British forces available led the British' authorities to decide to evacuate the volunteer forces, and not to land sailors from the ships.

The position now is that the British concession is no longer controlled by Britain/but is in the hands of Chinese Nationalists. This, with the evacuation by woihen' and children from Kiukiang, AViihu and Ichang constitutes an almost complete evacuation of the Yangtsze Vallfey. a most damaging blow to British prestige in'the Par'feast,'

FIGHTING AT HANGCHQW

VICTORY FOR S.UNCHUAN?ANG

(Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) (Received January 7, 3 p.m.) SHANGHAI, January 6.

It is reported that SuncliuanEang has captured Fuyang, 20 miles from llangehow." This means that ounchua.n(ang's forces have gained a decisive victor v.

Reports from Canton indicate that Ch'iaijgkaishek is leaving Wuhan 'to direct a new attack on Hang'chow. Fighting is continuing in the vicinity of Hangehow.