CHINESE POSITION

Southland Times, Issue 20146, 5 April 1927, Page 7

CHINESE POSITION

Northern Victory Reported

YENCHENG CAPTURED

Japanese Leave Hankow

RESULT OF CLASH WITH MOB

A Northern victory is reported, Chang Tso-lin claiming to have captured Yencheng, about ninety miles south of Chengchow. The Japanese have decided to evacuate Hankow, following a clash between marines and a mob. (By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright.)

NORTHERN VICTORY REPORTED. CHANG TSO-LIN CAPTURES YENCHENG. (Rec. 10.30 p.m.) Pekin, April 4. Chang Tso-Un’s headquarters officially announce the capture of Yencheng, about ninety miles down the Pekin-Hankow railway southward of Cheng-chow. It is understood that Chang Tso-lin does not intend to advance further at present in view of possible danger to both of his flanks, but will await developments near the Southern Chantung border, where the Nationalists are advancing northward against Chang Tsung-chang. If the news regarding Yencheng is true, it means that Chang Tso-lin has now got within two hundred miles of Hankow, and within a hundred miles of the Nationalist advance guard on the Southern Honan.— A. and N.Z. JAPANESE CLASH WITH MOB. Shanghai, April 3. It is reported from Hankow that Japanese bluejackets clashed with a mob of Chinese and as a consequence the evacuation of all Japanese from the Concession has been ordered.—A. and N.Z. NATIONALIST PROTESTATIONS UNTRUSTWORTHY. AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE STATEMENT. (Rec. 10.45 p.m.) Shanghai, April 4. The American Chamber of Commerce has Issued a statement that repeated assurances by militarists and other spokesmen of political factions that they can and will protect the life and property of foreigners are irreconcilable with recent events leading to the necessity for the evacuation of the entire Yangtse Valley. The adoption of a conciliatory policy by foreign Governments is merely strengthening the lawless elements and encourages outrages like that at Nanking. Of all cities in the Yangtse Valley, Shanghai alone is comparatively safe for foreigners. This is due entirely to the presence of foreign warships and military. It is obvious that a protective policy applying to Shanghai alone will not enable China to put her house in order nor prevent enormous loss from the evacuation of entire districts. We are convinced that the future welfare of the Chinese people, and the ultimate safety of the American and other foreigners in China can be attained only by the unified action of the Powers to suppress disorder and restore conditions favourable to the formation of responable government.—A. and N.Z. A CRUEL FATE. JESUIT FATHERS EXECUTED. (Rec. 7 p.m.) Paris, April 3. Newspapers are giving prominence to the fate of two Jesuit fathers, Dubous and Manama. It is officially announced they were put to death at Nanking by order of the Cantonese authorities. The bodies were mutilated after execution and left unburied for several days. —A. and N.Z. THE NANKING OUTRAGES. BRITISH MINISTER’S VIEWS. Rugby, April 3. Referring to Nanking in a speech at Darlfngton last night, the Rt. Hon. A. Neville Chamberlain, Minister of Health, said, “After the intolerable outrages that have been inflicted on us, the very least we can do is to demand that the guilty shall be punished, that an apology shall be made, and that such reparation as is possible shall be offered for the injuries that have been done. We desire to put our demands forward in complete harmony and co-operation with the other nations whose Nationals have suffered. I trust that the Cantonese Government, who claim to rank among the civilised peoples of the world, will do what any civilised nation would do and will take steps to find out who is guilty and that they will satisfy the demands which we shall put forward to them, but there must be

J no evasion or denial of these responsibilities which by the evidence, not only of British, but of other nationals, have already been proved to rest on the shoulders of the Cantonese army and it must be clearly understood that neither in China nor anywhere else can British subjects be murdered, robbed and insulted with impunity.”— British Official Wireless. UNITED STATES’ DEMANDS. “REASONABLE BUT FIRM.” | (Rec 7.30 p.m.) New York, April 4. The New York World’s Washington correspondent states that whatever demands the United States Government may make on the Cantonese Government as the result of the Nanking incidents, they will be couched reasonably with a view to insuring compliance. The administration is apparently disposed to make allowances for the disturbed conditions at the time of the incident, namely the withdrawal of the Northern forces and the subsequent taking control by the Cantonese. The policy adopted will be firmness, followed by moderation on the theory that extreme demands would be useless and probably only aggravate the already tense situation. An effort will be made to impress the Cantonese authorities with the seriousness of the outbreaks against foreigners and representatives of foreign governments which are virtually attacks upon those governments themselves.—A. and N.Z. WARNING TO SHIP’S OFFICERS. Shanghai, April 3. Indicative of the threatening situation in Shanghai is a warning given by the British Consul to general officers of the British merchant marine, who threatened to tie up China coastal vessels following a reduction in pay by the companies, the Consul warned representatives of the officers such action would be unpatriotic and would imperil the lives of women and children who may be compelled to take refuge on British ships in harbour momentarily in the event of the receipt of a vital message from Britain. The officers agreed to return to their ships, sink grievances, and keep up steam in anticipation of a national emergency.—A. and N.Z. BRITONS MUST BE PROTECTED. London, April 2. “Britons cannot be robbed, murdered, or insulted with impunity,” said Mr Neville Chamberlain speaking at Darlington. “I hope the Cantonese, who claim to rank among the civilised nations, will satisfy our demands. There must l)e no denial of responsibility, which all the evidence proved rested on the Cantonese army.”—A. and

SHANGHAI FORCE BEING REINFORCED. London, April 2. It is officially announced that the Government is despatching an infantry brigade, including a Guards battalion, to reinforce the troops at Shanghai.—A. and N.Z. UNITED STATES MARKS TIME. (Per United Press Association.) Washington, April 1. Following a Cabinet discussion on the Chinese situation, the Administration remains undecided whether to act alone or jointly with other Powers, demanding guarantees from the Nationalists for the protection of foreign lives and property. President Coolidge and Mr Kellog may delay instructions to Mr Macmurray for several days unless a sudden emergency arises. The State Department continues to study the joint draft demand prepared by Mr Macmurray and the British and Japanese Ministers at Pekin. The Administration is understood to be ready to ask an indemnity for the Nanking outrages and suitable Nationalist pledges that such will not occur elsewhere, but is not yet committed to Issuing an ultimatum of a sweeping nature, which the British are believed to favour.— A. and N.Z.