BRITISH GUNBOATS

Hokitika Guardian, 9 September 1926, Page 3

BRITISH GUNBOATS

TWO COMMANDERS KILLED. IN CLASH WITH CHINESE. [Australia & N.Z. Cable Association.] (Received this day at 8 a.n>.) SHANGHAI, September 8. The Commanders of the British gunboats Despatch and Cockchafer and a lieutenant of the Despatch were killed and twelve others wounded hv Northerners during a successful attempt to release commandeered British steamers. There have been startling developments at Hankow and Hanyang arsenals, which were captured by Cantonese, as a result of a portion of the defending troops joining the enemy. The remainder joined round Wupeifu, who retreated -inland. The attitude of Sunehunfang. Governor-General of Shanghu District, is uncertain. He may join the Cantonese. The British intervention is unavoidable. The cruiser Hawkins is rushing to Hankow to the relief of foreigners. BRITISH DEATH LIST. (Received this day at 11.0 a.m.) PEKING. September 8. The Cantonese Reds captured Hankow after very severe fighting. Wupeifu is retreating northwards. Admiral Sinclair aboard the cruiser “ Hawkins ” is proceeding to Hankow. According to British naval reports, seven officers and men were killed and fifteen wounded during the bombardment on the British gunboat “ Cockchafer.”

CAUSE OF TROUBLE. PARTICULARS OK AKER AY. (Received this day at 12.25 p.m.) SYDNEY. 'September f). Messages from London picked up in Sydney by wireless regarding the Chinese situation show the trouble in Wnnhsien Harbour arose through an attempt to- rescue two British shins do--tained by General Yangsen on August 29th. The British steamer Wanlin arrived at Ynngung, forty miles below Wanhsien and she was fired on from both sides of the river, and Chinese soldiers hoarded her. In the commotion a Chinese sampan full of soldiers collided with another boat and sank. The Wanlin proceeded to Wnnhsien. whore a detachment from the British gunboat Cnekshafer compelled the Chinese soldiers to disembark. The steamer continued her voyage oil August 30th. General Yangsen seized two other steamers belonging to the same company at Wnushioii, and placed soldiers aboard them. Apparently this was a reprisal for the previous sinking of the sampan. All. negotiations through the British Minister in Peking and through other channels to secure the release of the vessels failed, as Yangsen remained obdurate. Finally the auxiliary Kiaow malined by a naval detachment, was sent-from Icbaiig to Wanhsien, with orders to use force as a last resource, in release of the steamer. This led to an engagement and the British lorc-e was assailed by heavy field gun and rifle fire, to which it replied, but eventually retired with, the loss ol several officers and men killed or wounded. The captain of one of the detained steamers appeared to have escaped, but there is no news of the other mercantile officers held as prisoners.

DRITISH OPENLY FLOUTED. CANTONESE TROOPS ACTION. DEMAND FOR INTERVENTION. (Received this day at 12.25 p.m A PEKING, Sept. 8. Details of the attempt by the British gunboats Despatch and Cockchafer, to release- British ships commandeered by Chinese militarists at Wanhsen Harbour, show that the Cockchafer replied to a bombardment by shelling Wanhsen, but was forced to retire. The ships’ officers dead include the Commanders of the Cockchafer and Despatch, Lieut, of the Despatch, three seamen and a stoker. The wounded include a Lieut. Commander, Lieut, and thirteen seaman of different ships. The bombardment by - Northern troops was led by Yangsen, Governor of Syec-liwan Province, which recently declared its independence from Peking. Yangsen openly flouted the British Consul, and fired without provocation. The British expedition has returned to Hankow for the purpose of organising a. bigger force. The river is inaccessible for heavy craft to Wanshien, on account of shallow rapids, therefore the plane carrier Vindictive is proceeding to Hankow to launch an aeroplane attagk upon Yangsen force. The present'indications are that Britain must intervene alone, and a failure to exact retribution will end British prestige in China. Foreigners everywhere are demanding action. Hie lack of unity between tho Powers is the cause of the present trouble, which is the gravest since the Boxer Rebellion. Canton Red Army now controls Central China, with a population of one hundred million. Wupeifu has been hiding since his betrayal, fearing further treachery and execution. The Red Army under Fongynhsiang is expected to join the Cantonese advance to Peking, where Cabinet is already contemplating its resignation. Thousands of foreign lives and much property at Hankow Arc at the mercy of Cantonese, who are violently antiBritish, and who are led by Russian officers. THE CASUALTY LIST. LONDON. September 8. The Admiralty supplies the following official list of casualties at Wanhsien :• Killed.—Commander F. E. Harley, Lieut. A. It. Higgins. Wounded.— Lieut.-Commander L. S. Acheson. Lieut. O. Foggelliot. Four ratings were killed and 13 wounded.