READY TO STRIKE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19786, 9 March 1927, Page 9

READY TO STRIKE

CANTONESE AT THE GATES OF SHANGHAI

A RAPID ADVANCE

MORE JAPANESE AND BRITISH TROOPS LAND

The stage Is now set for the final act in the contest for Shanghai, and cablegrams published to-day indicate that there is little chance of the advance of the Cantonese being stemmed, though it is considered unlikely that force will be necessary at Shanghai. One of the Northern generals is reported to have gone over to the Southerners, and preparations are well in hand for a general strike of Chinese when the Cantonese reach the city. ‘ ‘ White ’ ’ Russians have arrived to assist in the defence of Shanghai, where additional Japanese and British troops are massing.

[By Telegraph—Per Press Assn.—Copyright.]

SOUTHERNERS’ SUCCESS

SOUT# CHINA SWEPT. ON THE OUTSKIRTS OE SHANGHAI Received March 8, 10 p.m. PEKING, March 8. Although the Cantonese capture of Shanghai appears to be a prolonged operation, tactually it is proceeding rapidly, from tho viewpoint of Chinese warfare'. The outstanding feature of their tieties since they launched their expedition in July, has been their unchecked advance. Within six months they have swept South China, despite the sct-back and casualties a fortnight ago, 50 miles beyond Hankow, which was regarded as the gateway to Shanghai. They are now following up a tremendous drive and are within shellfire of Shanghai. Diplomacy, and not military incompetency, is responsible' for their halting on tho outskirts of Shanghai, staging a flank attack instead of driving direct and precipitating an encounter within earshot of Shanghai. By driving northeast and cutting off the Shangtungese from the Nanking base', they will achieve the same object and avoid international complications arising from possible shells falling into Shanghai. Practically the entire province of Kiang-su, save tho loweY lip of the Yangtse mouth, is controlled by the Cantonese. General Galens, who is directing the Cantonese offensive, aims at compelling the Shangtungese ate Shanghai without fighting, by threatening their communidations. More Assassinations. Two armoured train loads of “White” Russians have entered Shanghai to assist in tho defence. Shanghai is engulfed in a flood of pro-Canton propaganda, setting the stage for the entry of the Cantonese. The most significant precaution in Shanghai is the landing of a large Japanese force to protect Japanese mills. Individual assassinations of Chinese strike breakers have been instigated by the general labour unions, which are hiring paid killers. Dozens of loyalists have been slai/i in the last fortnight, removing obststyes to a strike planned to synchronise with the capture of Shanghai. In anticipation of the Cantonese making their final drive, the' departure of the Suffolk battalion for Hongkong has been delayed. The Coldstream Guards have sailed for Shanghai, and eight armoured cars have arrived. General’s Defection. Chen To, Military Governor of Anwhei, has gone over to the Southerners. This means that Wuhu, about 65 miles from Nanking, will come under the Cantonese control. Chen’s soldiers to-day attempted to commandeer a steamer at Nanking for the conveyance of froops to Wuhu, but the British warship Wolsey prevented them. In connection with the railway strike', 1000 workshops men are affected. Great efforts are being made to bring out the railway employee's at Shanghai, but so far without avail BARRING THE WAY BRITISH TROOPS CHINESE TROOPS DISARMED Received March 8. 9.15 p.m. LONDON, March 8. In the House of Commons Mr C. P. Trevelyan (Labour) inquired if Britain intended to refuse the Cantonese troops to enter Shanghai if they

• guaranteed the safety of foreigners. Commander Locker-Lampson (Undersecretary for Foreign Affairs) repliea: “I cannot attempt to answer hypothetical questions of this kind.” Mr Oswald Mosley (Labour) asked had nbt other participants been allowed to enter. Commander Locker-Lampson replied that no armed forces had been allowed to enter Shanghai. The whole point of British forces being in Shanghai was to prevent the entry of armed Chinese forces, and no bodies of Chinese troops had entered the concession or within the British lines except deserters and stragglers who had been disarmed. A CONFUSING SITUATION 1 BOLSHEVIK INFLUENCE WANING A CLASH AT ICHANG LONDON, March 7. Diplomatically everything is quiet and uneventful at Shanghai. Reports received by tho Foreign Office do not clear up th© varying accounts of the military situation published in the Press. For instance there is no confirmation of the report that the Cantonese have captured Suchow, which would cut off Chang Tsung Chang’s communications with Shanghai. All the evidence tends to show ,however, that the Cantonese are very likely shortly to gain control of Shanghai by surrounding it. The most welcome factor, from the British viewpoint, is that an important section of the Cantonese, led by General Chiang Kai Shek, is weakening in its hostility towards the foreigners, and is openly attacking the Soviet’s propaganda on the ground that Communism would mean the economic downfall of China and the ruin of the Nationalist cause, all of which confirms the official view that with patience the Russian influence on the Cantonese will soon pass.

Meanwhile the military movements have not caused alarm for the Shanghai settlement. No organised attack on it by the Cantonese is feared. Shanghai ’s greatest troubles are caused by repeated labour disputes, all politically inspired.

To-day an unfortunate fracas was reported from Ichang, where the Chinese demanded the withdrawal of a British gunboat. When British naval men were engaged in shifting baggage from an American steamer to a British steamer, a Chinese mob attacked them and one or two naval men and a fewChinese were injured, but there was no scooting.

TERRORISM A MURDER CAMPAIGN STRIKE TACTICS Received March 8, 9.40 p.m. LONDON, .March 7. The Shanghai correspondent of the “Times” says the Labour Unions and kindred “Reds” are employing murder terrorism to pave the way for the next general strike, commencing when the Nationalist headquarters consider the moment favourable for paralysing Chang’s defence. Two men were inveigled from a house and shot dead. The foreman of the Shanghai Dock Company and four men were shot at and wounded, also the foreman of a cotton mill. A threatening letter sent to the Woosung railway workshops caused the staff of several hundred to strike.