CHINESE TROOPS ON THE MOVE

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLI, Issue 20442, 12 June 1936, Page 9

CHINESE TROOPS ON THE MOVE

WAR FEVER IN THE AIR PREPARING FOR CIVIL WAR ANGERED BY NEIGHBOUR’S AGGRESSION United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph—Copyrigtit (Received June 11, 5.5 p.m.) NAKIN, June 10 China is preparing for civil war. The advance guard of the Canton army occupied Hengchow. Trains crowded with National Government troops are leaving Hankow for Changsha, 100 miles north of Hengchow. Banking circles are nervous. The fear of war caused heavy buying of Hongkong dollars. CONCERN IN LONDON CIVIL WAR TALK DISCOUNTED United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received June 11, 6.30 p.m.|) LONDON, June 10. Troop movements continue to be reported in the Chinese province of Hunan, but the forces of the Central Government at Nanking and the South China Administration are still separated by the southern Hunan mountain barrier. Experts in London do not believe that a civil war is imminent, but the British Consul at Chang-sha has been provisionally warned that Britons must evacuate the Southern Hunan district. The British gunboat Ccarab has left Hankow for Chang-sha. The capture of Heng-chow is regarded as unimportant. Serious Developments The Shanghai correspondent of "The Times” says: “The much advertised mobilisation of military forces at Kwang-tung and Kwangsi for the purpose of resisting Japanese aggression, is not yet being taken seriously anywhere in China, or even in Japanese circles, where the. declaration of the South-west Council is regarded, at least, only as a new slogan m domestic politics. The principal differences between the National Government and the Kwang-tung and Kwangsi are that the latter have built up powerful military organisations over which Nanking has no control, and that a large proportion of the funds which were used for the purpose has been obtained from Nanking. A further complication is that a large amount of nationalised silver, which should be deposited in the National Exchequer, is now being held in Canton.

“The opinion is generally expressed that the present military movements in Kwang-tung and Kwangsi are concerned, not so much with a patriotic ebullition as with a possible demonstration to indicate that the military leaders are not prepared to relinquish either their independence or their silver, without resistance. “Nevertheless, it cannot be denied that there is a strong desire, especially among the younger elements throughout China, to oppose Japan by force. Hence, what appears to be only an internal complication might become something more serious. Military movements up to the present have been trifling, and it would be premature to assume that portentous developments are afoot until they are reported on a much greater scale.”

FOREIGN LOAN SUGGESTED ANGLO-JAPANESE DISCUSSION LONDON, June 9. The Tokio correspondent of “The Daily Herald” says Sir F. Leith-Ross, in a lengthy conference with Mr Arita (Japanese Minister), urged Anglo-Japanese co-operation in a loan for the benefit of China. Mr Arita replied that China must discard reliance on the Western Powers before Japan co-operates in economic assistance. CAUTIOUS PLAIN REPLY BRITISH GUNBOATS ON THE MOVE United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received June 12, 1 a.m.) NANKING, June 11. The Canton Government has rejected Chiang-Kai-Shek's appeal to recall the southern forces and await the decisions of the Central Executive Council. The British naval authorities have ordered the gunboats, Cicala and Tarantula, to proceed to Canton, to ensure the safety of British nationals.