FOUR MILES FROM SHANGHAI.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXIII, 22 March 1927, Page 9

FOUR MILES FROM SHANGHAI.

Rapid Advance of Cantonese. GENERAL STRIKE BEGINS. By Cable—Press Association —Copyright. Australian aud N.Z. Cable Association. (Received March 21 j 8.30 p.m.) SHANGHAI, March 21. The Nationalists have occupied Lunglma, four miles from the French concession. The general strike has begun. AT THE MERQY OF THE CANTONESE. DEFENCES OF SHANGHAI COLLAPSE. By Cable —Press Association—Copyright, Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. SHANGHAI, Match 2te Although great labour unrest continues, there has been no general response to the strike call. Til© total strikers at present are 22,000. A big exodus is proceeding in view of the near approach of the Southerners, who may now be said to be at the gate- of Shanghai. The Northerners are making no resistance anywhere.

They evacuated the arsenal. It is rumoured that General Pisliou-Cben, Commander of the Shantung forces at Shanghai, has gone over to the Southerners. A thousand armed and unarmed soldiery are swarming outside th« foreign settlements. Precautions are- being taken to keep them out. Fate of Shanghai. The- latest: indications are that then will be no fighting close to Shanghai. General Pishou-Chen to-day sent representatives to General Hying-Clmig, the Southern Commander to discuss a truce to avoid fighting in the Shanghai area. 'Hus move, together with the fact time the Slinntunger* made no attempt io hold their soul hern lines defending Shanghai, lends to confirm the be! ef that an arrangement has been made between General Chiang-Kais-Heko and Chaug-Tsung-Shang regarding Shanghai. ; / The British lino is strongly helcUby all the available forces. Seven thousand retreating Shantungers have arrived outside the French concession. The position to-night- is briefly that the Southerners can occupy hai, except the foreign settlement, as soon as they care to do so.