YANGTSE POSITION

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 141, 11 December 1929, Page 13

YANGTSE POSITION

HENDERSON'S STATEMENT

PBECATJTIONS TAKEN

British Official Wirelus.

BTJGBY, 9th December. Ihe disturbed situation in China was the subject of a statement in the House of Commons by the Foreign Secretary, Mr. Arthur Henderson.

Mr. Henderson said that following on the mutiny of troops at Pukow, opposite Nanking, President Chiang Kaishek disarmed the guards left in Nanking by certain generals of whose loyalty he was doubtful, aud arreßted their civilian staffs, and martial law was proclaimed. Measures were at once taken for the dispatch of British naval reinforcements and preparations made for- evacuation in the case of women and children. The national situation had since developed owing to the revolt of troops stationed on the Shang-hai-Nanking railway, about mid-way between the two cities. In view of these developments the British Consul-Gen-eral at Nanking had been instructed that in the event of danger he would at oneeorder the withdrawal of women and children. There were at present two British warships at Nanking, H.M.S. Suffolk was due there to-day, and another cruiser, H.M.S. Berwick, to-morrow. WABSHTPS ON THE WAY. Regarding the position, at Shanghai, Mr. Henderson said that there were at present three British warships there, and a flotilla leader and two destroyers were on their way from Hong Kong. All the refitting in Hong Kong dockyard was being expedited and overtime was being worked. Arrangements were in hand for the transfer of a battalion from Hong Kong to Shanghai, should the situation demand it.

Mr. Henderson added that he had no information that British, property had been interfered with or endangered elsewhere, except ■ perhaps at lehang. A small body of rebels approached that plaeo and preparations were made to evacuate foreigners in case of need. Later reports showed that the defence of lehang had received reinforcements and after continuous fighting the rebels had been re-pulsed. No immediate trouble is foreseen there, but as a precaution women and children'either remained afloat or concentrated on. the river front.