EVENTS IN CHINA

Southland Times, Issue 20487, 15 May 1928, Page 5

EVENTS IN CHINA

APPEAL TO THE LEAGUE JAPANESE FORCES CONTROL TSINAN CITY REPORTED QUIET (United Press Assn—By Telegraph—Copyright.) Rugby, May 13. The League of Nations Secretariat has forwarded to members of the council a communication from the Nanking Government calling attention to events at Tsinan, and suggesting international inquiry or arbitration. X Telegrams from China indicate that the Japanese forces now control the whole of Tsinan city. Overtures made on May 9 to the Southern Nationalists by Chang Tso-lin, the Northern commander, in a circular telegram offering to cease civil war hostilities, have so far produced no overt response, although the Northern troops are reported to be withdrawing to the rear in accordance with Chang Tso-lin’s proposal. Authoritative reports received to-day state that Tsinan is now quiet. If is understood an agreement was reached between the Japanese and local Chinese guilds. All Chinese troops on Saturday vacated the city without arms and order is now being maintained by the local Chinese authorities with the support of the Japanese military.—British Official Wireless. ADVANCE ON TIENTSIN. SOUTHERNERS OVERCOME LAST OBSTACLE. (Rec. 11.30 p.m.) Shanghai, May 14. The Southerners claim that General Yen Shi-shan has captured the Tsang-chow which is the Northerners’ last point of defence before Tientsin and are advancing on that city and confidently expect to arrive there within a couple of days. A tense situation is prevailing in Tientsin among foreign troops which at present number 4000 Americans, 1000 British, and 3000 French. Japan having despatched three companies to Tsinan has at present a small representation, but it is considered adequate to protect the post though hardly sufficient to secure the protection of 90 miles of railway from Pekin to Tientsin which the Powers have the right to keep open under the Boxer Protocol, giving access to the capital and sea. Meantime, it is possible that the fall of Pekin may be accelerated by the treachery of two of the leading Northern generals— Chuyupu and Sun Chqan-fang—who are reported to be negotiating peace terms individually with the Southerners. Should Tientsin fall this will involve cutting the principal line of the Northerners’ retreat along the Pekin-Mukden railway in which event Chang Tso-lin will be forced to extricate his troops by marching overland north-west via Kalgan into Manchuria. —United Service.