ASSUMING A ROUT

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 20128, 23 April 1928, Page 7

ASSUMING A ROUT

SOUTHERNERS IN HOT PURSUIT ARTILLERY CLOSE TO TSINANFU (A. & N.Z.) SHANGHAI, April 20. The Northern defence is crumbling and the retreat is assuming the proportions of a rout with the Southerners in hot pursuit. General Chiang Kai Shek’s forces are carrying all before them on the Shantung front and have advanced their artillery within range of Tsinanfu, the capital of Shantung. They are reported to be shelling the city. Anxiety is felt for the large missionary population, including numbers of Canadians and Australians.

Southern aeroplanes bombing Tsinanfu are adding to the confusion of tne Northern troops who are reported to be demoralised as the outcome of the Southerners’ amazing swift advance.

In the event of Tsinanfu falling and the Southerners crossing th e Yellow River, Marshal Chang Tso Lin will require to throw the entire Manchurian Army into the fighting line in order to save Peking. Meanwhile the “Christian” General Feng Yu Tsiang is rapidly advancing victoriously from the west and is expected shortly to Jink his forces with General Chang Kai Shek. In view of the latest developments the date of the departure of troops from Jaeran has been advanced one day. An emergency force of 300 from Tientsin reached Tsinanfu to-day. Although a British battalion is stationed at Weihaiwei, within easy distance, it is not likely to be despatched to Tsinanfu as the present disturbance is not of an anti-foreign nature.