CHINA.

Timaru Herald, Issue 170269, 14 July 1920, Page 7

CHINA.

REBELS NEAR CAPITAL.

PANIC IN PEKIN,.

By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. -n.uaDru.iiun and IS./,. Cubic) &*m-

LONDON, July 32. The "Daily Times" Tientsin ' correspondent reports that the position is worse. Three thousand of Tuan-Chi Jui J s troops are confronting---an. army commanded by Tsackim. at YVie-pie-iu and Ting-ching, fifty-four miles southwest of Pekin. An early battle is expected. Panic prevails in Pekin, Martial law has been proclaimed. Ter-ror-stricken Chinese are leaving the city in thousands and pouring into Tientsin. The attitude of the troops compelled the stoppage of all trains. The American •-■ authorities ordered the evacuation of white residents in the Pao-ting-fu district, Pekin reports state that 10,000 troops arrived as a bodyguard for the Emperor. The population lost their heads, hordes 'storming the hospitals and foreign hotels for refuge. Business is at a, standstill.

London military circles regard the situation as serious. Tuan-Chi-Jui is credited with being monarohial and imperial in his ambitions. He is tlie most- powerful inan in China, the Emperor being a mere puppet. It is believed tliaat the Legation forces are sufficiently powerful to protect the English residents. STILL ANXIETY. Received 10.30 p.m., July 13th. LONDONj July ]2, Tientsin. reports that the. Chinese President is virtually a prisoner in the hands of the Anfmtes. At Pekin the railway to Shanghai was cut, and the Pekm-Hnngkow line was not working this morning. JAPAN IS BLAMED. The "Post's" correspondent sajs thatif China is again subjected to the misery of civil war the fact must bf emphasised that Japanese militarists are responsible, for -the frontier^defence' army, which was formed against ,the wishes of the Chinese and friendly Powers. REASSURING NEWS. NO NEED FOR ALARM. TIENTSIN, July 12. Nothing beyond minor skirmishes has occurred, and Pekin is quiet. The Cabinet has issued pei-emptory orders to Tuaii-Chi-Tiu's party against;moving troops on Pekin. The diplomatists deprecate' any alarm among the f deign residents. The military have torn up the line near Techow, on the Tientsin-Pukow railway. FIGHTING PROCEEDING. Received 1.20 a.m.. Julv 14th! LONDON, July 12. An "Evening News" message from Tientsin states that fighting started in Zofa, along the Pekin-Tientsin railway.