TROUBLE IN CHINA

Hokitika Guardian, 13 September 1926, Page 3

TROUBLE IN CHINA

(Australia & N.Z. Gable Association.]

PRIEST MURDERED. SHANGHAI, September 11

According to a message from lvalgan, lather Panthers, Dutch missionary in the Chat-liar district, was murdered by the Christian General Feng Yu Hsiang’s troops. Three missions were burned, seven plundered, many converts murdered, and other dastardly outrages committed.

ATTACK ON WUCHANG. PEKIN, Sept. 10,

Two American destroyers were subjected to machine-gun rifle fire on arrival, at Hankow, wounding two men. Every foreign vessel entering or leaving Hankow is the target for Southern bullfcts. Several were riddled, and a number of Chinese passengers were killed and wounded.

Wuchang, the walled ciby, is again the object of the attention of the Southerners, as a result of resistance by isolated Northerners. An ultimatum was issued of a bombardment failing surrender in 24 hours. The foreign missionaries and merchants within are endangered. Numerous executions have taken place of smugglers of bombs inj;o Wuchang, disguised as 'Red Cross men. The Cantonese have not entered the Hankow Foreign Concession, but 30,0(10 in the native city of the Northern allies under Wu Tei Fu and Sun Cluinn Fang are closing in for the attack on Hankow from the west and north fronts. CHINESE POSITION. PEKING, September 12. The authorities at the international settlement at Shanghai are taking strict precautions against the possibility of treachery, as the settlement is saturated with supports of the Red Army. Permission has been given to Sunchuanfang’s troops to enter the settlement whenever necessary to preserve peace.

PEKING. September 12. A Brigadier-General of the Cantonese Army has been, arrested on a charge of bringing half a million dollars to Shanghai for the purpose of ( creating a revolt among the local troops. All persons entering Shanghai are now subjected to a strict search. The Peking Government has forwarded a vigorous protest to the British Legation, regarding the Wanhsien affair, reserving the right to demand damages, in reply to the British pro-

test in connection with the death of 9 naval men killed in an attempt to rescue two British vessels. It is now stated rieotiations between the authorities and the British consul may prevent the necessity of a second British expedition to Wanhsien. Latest messages confirm Sunchuanfang’s retreat towards Shanghai, but it is declared this is only a strategical move. Though Cantonese captured Pinghsinng an important railway centre in Hunan Province, the southerners were better equipped and organised_, possessing modern aircraft piloted by Russians. Tt is reported the Soviet offered twenty million roubles for the support of the Red Army and the capture of Hankow is regarded as a Soviet victory.