CHINESE WAR

Southland Times, Issue 20204, 15 June 1927, Page 5

CHINESE WAR

SOUTHERN ADVANCE REORGANISING FOR FURTHER THRUST NORTHERN TROOPS DESERTING FREELY (By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright.) London, June 13. Reviewing the military situation in China, Mr Locker-Lampson said that the latest reports show that the Northern forces, about 180,000 strong, are holding a line from Lun-chang on the Tientsin-Pukow line, thence to the bend of the Yellow river northward of Kai-fing, continuing along the north bank of the Yellow river to north-west of Changchou, with a defensive west fiank on the Pekin-Hankow railway. The Southerners are in touch with the Northerners in most places and are reorganising their forcas on Lung-hai line for a further advance. The strength of their combined armies is roughly 130,000. Fengtien troops are receiving reinforcements from Manchuria and appear to be in good morale. Shantung troops are deserting plentifully to the enemy and the TientsinPukow line remains the weak spot. The defence of Shantung now rests on a few hundred Russians, who are concentrated on the southern border. The Nationalists are advancing slowly from the south, but a more rapid advance is reported from the west, converging on Yenchow at the same time. It is reported that negotiations are going on between north and south, but the position in this respect is doubtful, Sun-Chuan-Fang’s troops are reported to be retreating towards the Shantung border. Yen-Hei-Shan, Military Governor of Shansi, has declared his allegiance to the Nationalists. No great change has taken place as regards the military situation around Hankow. Kiukiang has been .occupied by troops owing allegiance to Chiang Kai-shek, and his forces have now advanced above that town. —A. and N.Z. FURTHER AMERICAN MARINES ARRIVE. Shanghai, June 13. Twelve hundred United States marines from the Philippines with an aviation unit, tanks and artillery, have arrived to fill the gap caused by the departure of the Sixth Regiment for Pekin.—A. and N.Z.