MOBILISATION OF ARMIES

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19038, 11 June 1936, Page 6

MOBILISATION OF ARMIES

MOVEMENTS IN CHINA WAR LORDS DEMONSTRATE EARLY CONFLICT UNLIKELY (Klec. Tel. Copyright—United Tress Assn,) (Reed. June 11, 1.40 p.m.) LONDON, June 10. Troop movements continue, it is reported, in the Chinese province of Hunan, but the forces of the. Central Government at Nanking; and of the South China Administration are still separated by the southern Hunan mountain hairier. Experts in London <)o not believe that civil war is imminent..

The British Consul at Changsha has provisionally warned Britons to evacuate southern Hunan. The British gunboat. Scarab has left Hankow for Changslia. The capture of Ilangehow is regarded as unimportant.

The Shanghai correspondent of The Times says the. much-advertised mobilisation of military forces in the Kwang-tung-Kwangsi area for the purpose of resisting Japanese aggression is not yet being taken seriously anywhere in China, or* even in Japanese circles, where the declaration of the- southwest council is regarded, at least, only as a new slogan of domestic politics. '.Che principal differences between the National Government, and Kwangtung and Kwangsi, are that the latter lias built up a powerful military organisation, over which Nanking has no control, and that a large proportion of the funds used for the purpose has been obtained from Nanking. A further complication is that a large, amount of nationalised silver, which should be deposited in the national exchequer, i? now being held in Canton.

'The opinion is generally expressed that the present military movements in Ivwangtung and Kwangsi are concerned, not so much with patriotic ebullition as with a. demonstration to indicate that the. military leaders are not prepared to relinquish, either their independence or silver, without- resistance. Nevertheless, it cannot be denied that there is a strong desire, especially among the. younger elements throughout China, to oppose Japan by force. Hence what appears only an internal complication might become something more serious.

The military movements up to the present have, been trifling, and it would he premature to assume that portentous -developments are afoot until they are reported on a much greater scale.

CIVIL WAR LOOMING MOVE FROM CANTON (Reed. June 11, 12 noon) NANKING, June 10. China is preparing for a civil war. The advance guard of the Canton army has occupied Hengchow. Trains crowded with National Government troops are leaving Hankow lor Changsha, 100 miles to the north ol Hengchow. Banking circles are nervous and tear lias caused heavy buying of Hongkong dollars.