TROUBLE IN CHINA

Hokitika Guardian, 10 September 1926, Page 2

TROUBLE IN CHINA

BRITISH ATTITUDE. (Australia &> N.Z. Cable Association.] LONDON, September 8. The • Daily Express ” understands Britain views the seizure of British steamers in China as an act of brigandage, and not an act of war. The Foreign Office states that there . is no possibility of its sending a Note to Peking on the subject, in view ot the civil war in China and the fact that General Yang Sen apparently act--0(1 on his own initiative. LONDON PRESS ACCOUNTS. LONDON, September 9. Later despatches received in London show that, the naval engagement on the Yangtse River as being worthy to he numbered among the most dating acts of heroism of the British Navy. Earlier reports suggested that the Gunboats Widgeon and Kinwo had been unable to accomplish their mission aiul were forced to retire under heavy fire.

The facts are that . two merchant ships, illegally commandeered by the Chinese general, Yang Sen, were moored inshore with three hundred Chinese soldiers, and their British prisoners aboard. The gunboat Cockchafer was lying near, hut she was practically out of action, she being covered nt point blank range by Chinese artillery and machine guns. The Widgeon and Kiawo sped to the rescue. Their officers and crews in all numbered not more than one hundred and twenty men. Nevertheless, the British men boarded the captured ships, and hand-to-hand fighting against three hundred Chinamen then occurred before the British prisoners could be released. The Cockchafer, Widgeon and Kiaow then retired to Jchang after the action which was fought with conspicuous dash and gallantry. Tho “ Daily Telegraph’s” diplomatic correspondent says:—“ Tho littlo gunboats ran the gauntlet of numerous Chinese field batteries ns well as machine guns. The feat was one of Zeebrugge over again on a small scale. That the small party of sailors succeeded. from their low decks, in boarding the merchantmen, which were bristling with rifles and guns, and in liberating four officers was in itself a miracle.”

WANHSTEN BOMBARDED. (Received this dav at S a.m.) HONG KONG, Sept. 9. An official communique states the gunboats Cockchafer and Widgeon bombarded Wanhsien, which is in flames. a Chinese Movement. (Received this day at 10.15 a.m.) PEKING, Sept. 9. It is reported taut SuncliauanFang, the military overlord of five important provinces, including Shanghai has declared war on tho Cantonese, and is sending an army of two hundred thousand to check the ''advance in Yanktse Valley. This means a final effort to prevent tho advance of the Red Army towards Shanghai. BRITISH PATROL. LONDON, Sept. 9. The “Daily News” says the Yangtse patrol forms a considerable section of tho 'British fleet- in China. It consists of fifteen gunboats, six armed river steamers, and a thousand officers and men. Nine of the largest gunboats belong to the “insect” class.