CHINESE CIVIL WAR.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 59, 24 October 1911, Page 5

CHINESE CIVIL WAR.

REBEL VICTORY. London, October 23. Tho 3rd Brigade of Imperialists were completely routed at Hanau. They stampeded northward, but a£forwards returned to Sinyanchau to await reinforcements. Tho rebels are busy fortifying the hills at Yinchang, nearing SinyanOi.au, with twenty thousand men. It is believed the rebels hold the passes connecting Hanau and Hupeh, thus cutting off the petreat of throe thousand Imperialists from Hankau. The route is also regarded as impassable for General Ymchang’s forces. Tho rebels hold Kwangch'au, sixty miles below Hankow} where the river is. at its narrowest width, for the purpose of harrassing Admiral Sitclienping’s fleet. It is stated at Shanghai that tho Government’s application for a loan has been refused on the ground that it: would be a breach of neutrality, which the Powers desire to observe. Consular reports confirm the fall of Changsha. Pekin, October 23. The National Assembly has opened. Tho Speech from the Throne did not mention the rebellion. An official despatch to the British Legation states that unless General Yinchang obtains a decisive victory within;a few days the whole Yangtso Valley will be ablaze. Many shells fired from the Chinese gunboats at Hankow were merely painted wood, the outcome of corrupt practices. ; Tho foreign Consuls at Hankow have proclaimed their neutrality. In reply to an edict ordering him to co-operate to suppress tho revolution, Ynan-shih-kai states that his foot is unhealed. He enumerates other complaints from which ho is suffering, and says ho is unable to work at present. A rescript has been issued ordering Yuan-shih-kai to resume his duties when ho is better. Yuan-shih-kai’s reply to the announcement that ho would be dismissed, ostensibly owing to the injuries to his head and foot, are ironical. Sachenping and Yinchang, in a joint despatch, state that though the Imperialists were at first successful at Hankow there were so many wounded that the forces were enfcobbled. Being unable to secure reinforcements, the army had to retreat. The despatch also mentions that tho fleet is out of coal and rice. The despatch concludes: “We are now awaiting death!’ AN UNCONFIRMED TELEGRAM. (Received 24, 8.30 a.m.) London, October 23. The newspapers publish an unconfirmed San Francisco telegram announcing that 20,000 Imperialists were defeated in the mountains at Kwangsui. Tho London Missionary Society advices state that the country stations are undisturbed, and missionaries at Hankow and Wuchang are safe. Pekin, October 23. Well-equipped troops have arrived at Hankow, ~ and are joining revolutionaries. The latter claim that they have onlised 15,000 old soldiers. Schuanhung and Tangsuateng are organising in tho southern confederacy. They are willing to abandon North China to Manchus. Shantung is quiet. It is officially stated that Yinchang has reached the Siaokan railway station, thirty miles north of Hankow. Yuicheng has arrived at Kinking with three gunboats, which are coaling and provisioning.