CHINESE SITUATION.

Waikato Times, Volume 101, Issue 16983, 20 December 1926, Page 7

CHINESE SITUATION.

RUSSIA MASSING TROOPS. STRAINED RELATIONS. BBITAIN TAKING PRECAUTIONS. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn.' PEKING, December 18. It is believed that the reason why Britain is despatching llic Second Suffolk Regiment from Gibraltar to Hongkong lies, not in (he Chinese menace, but in the activities or the Russian Soviet, who are massing troops on the Mauchurian frontiers. A report from Manchuria slates that the Soviet authorities have recently reinforced their Infantry strength in Daurio, in Trans-Baikalia, near the Chincse-Manchurian frontier, increasing lhcse from three to eight battalions. They are also mobilising 00 artillery batteries and sending an air force. It is generally believed that tho Soviet forces will dare to cross the frontiers. These military movements are regarded merely as a demonstration as yet, but relations between the Peking Government and the Soviet are strained.

At a meeting to-day of the Chinese Ministers the document received from the British Charge d'Affaires was considered. It is understood that the commnnjeation contained matters of considerable importance regarding the general policy or Britain in Chilna. LONDON, December 18.

Speaking at a meeting at Finchlcy, near London, Mr W. O. Bridgcman, M.P., the First Lord or the Admiralty, said: "We have nearly doubled the number of our ships on the China station. This is not meant aggressively toward China, but is done to protect British lives and properly, and lo keep llic peace.

POSITION IN SHANGHAI. LOOTING AND TURMOIL. FIVE ARMIES IN VICINITY. PEKING, December 18. The theatre of the Chinese war is rapidly moving nearer to Shanghai, though serious fighting is still in progress in the vicinity or Icliang, ir>o miles north-west of Shanghai, where the "Red" troops, after a stiff engagement, drove, out the occupying force. Foreign women, and children are herded in a compound, where they are guarded by British marines. The anti-Reds commandeered tho Italian and French river-boats and looted Ichang, before fleeing. Five separate armies arc hovering in the vicinity of Shanghai. A Red force has reached Wonchow, in the province or Cliekiang, where severe fighting is reported. Shanghai is in a state of turmoil, and looting has commenced. A Japanese gunboat is rushing to the scene in response to an appeal from the Consular body there. SOUTHERNERS LEAVE HANG-CHOW AN UNFOUNDED RUMOUR. (Australian'and N.Z. Cable Assn.) SHANGHAI, Dec. 17. It appears that a mere handful of Southerners in plain clothes entered Hang-chow on Tuesday, and cut the railway on Wednesday morning, but evacuated the city on Wedneslay night, following restoration or communication with Shanghai, when Coneral Sun Shuan Fang sent 1500 loyal troops lo Hang-chow lo reinforce the 9000 Loyalists. The report lhat Chc-Kiang has declared ils independence is unfounded. It arose from the doubtful attitude of 0000 troops at Hang-chow.