ON THE MOVE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 20127, 21 April 1928, Page 7

ON THE MOVE

TROOPS IN CHINA Japan Sends Forces to Protect Her Citizens NORTHERNERS’ CAMPAIGN CRUMPLES *■ 'S. [ By Telegraph—Per Press Assn.—Copyright ] (A. & N.Z.) SHANGHAI, April 19. Five thousand Japanese troops have been ordered from Kumamoto near Nagasaki, to proceed to Tsingtao ami Shantung in readiness to move inland to protect Japanese residents in i’sinan. Owing to tho serious development of the Chinese war situation, three companies of Japanese troops are proceeding immediately from Tientsin and several warships from the Japanese squadron cruising ihi Chinese waters have been detached with order.* from Tokio to sail to Tsingtao to provide landing parties for the protection of the Tsingtao Japanese in an emergency. Japan’s move has aroused protests by the local vernacular press, and the Chinese are indignant at Japan’s alleged interference in the civil war avid art, threatening tho usual boycott reprisal. Latest reports indicate the most severe defeat General Sun Chuan Fang has ever had at tho hand of the Southern forces, entailing the annihilation of one complete army and involving about 50,000 casualties and prisoners. The Southerners hav e lost 20,000. Sun was endeavouring to reach the rear of General Chiang Kai Shck’s left flank which was insufficiently protected, whereupon General Fengyn Hsiang cut Sun’s communications, enforcing the retreat. Tho whole of tho Northern promising plan of campaign has crumpled.