A LAST STAND

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXII, Issue 19478, 26 December 1925, Page 7

A LAST STAND

LIC’S ARMY DRIVEN BACK OUTNUMBERED THREE TO ONE. FIGHTING NEAR TIENTSIN. PEKING, Dee. 23. -. ■ • message from Tientsin s.H' the Feng-Yuk Siangers a;?-.-, artillery fire attacked the Lie Hmg-Linitee, who were outnumbered by three to one, and were driven back four to five kilometres to reserve lines. The Fenginites are expected to reach Tientsin soon. Lic-Hing-Lin, however, has gone to the front to organise a i*a; stand.

TO QUIT MUKDEN WILL GET OUT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. JAPANESE CABINET’S DECISION. TOKIO, Dec. 23. Cabinet discussed Manchuria, also the Japanese feeling in China. It decided that it was regrettable, but Japan’s present course wa? necessary for protection. ft was reiterated that Japan was absolutely neutral, and had no desire to acquire increased influence or other ulterior motives, and intends to quit Mukden as soon as possible.Cabinet derided that Japan will no* suggest mediation between Kuo and Chang, as it is believed that it may create a fresh misunderstanding of Japan's attitude. The Foreign office states that Kuo Sung Lin is expected to completely defeat Chang Tso Lin in a few days, upon which Japanese troops con template turning over the city tn him. If Chang’s retreating soldiers appear at Mukden they will be disarmed at th« entrance of the six-mile zone. Chang Tsn Lin assembled his leading supporters, and in a farewell speech he Fluted that reports frr-m the front indicated tha* the enemy had just opened a decisive attack. He «aid that if the Mukdenites w?r«» defeated they would »®fugc elsewhere.

ON THE RUN LIC’S DEFENCE BROKEN AFTER DESPERATE RALLY. Received Decpmber 25, 5.5 p.m. SHANGHAI. Dec. 24 A wireless from Tientsin, dated De comber 23. state? that Lic-Hing Ling retreated almost tn the city limit, where he desperately rallied. Subse quently. however, forces advanced towards Pietsang. about three miles, and Lic-Hing Ling’s defence was completely broken down and his forces fled to the Chinese city, where there was considerable looting.

I.IC'S FLIGHT TO JAPANESE CONCESSION. Received December 25. 5.5 p.m. PEKING, Dec. 24. A Tientsin message states that Lie Hing Ling, with his staff, has fled to the Japan??? concession, where extra ordinary precautions were taken to prevent the ingress of defeated sol British volunteers were called ®ut. IN MANCHURIA VICTORY FOR CHANG. TEMPORARY' OR DECISIVE? RrrHveH December 25, 5.5 pm. TOKIO. Deo. 24. Feng Tiewers re occupied Paikipu. the Kuo Sung Lingites retreating, leav ing guns and munitions. Reports indi cate that Kuo received a serious setback in the fare of a wide Chang TsoLin advance. Official advices from Mukden confirm Chang's victory, though Japanese military circles appear to be divided as to whether the success is temporary or decisive.