BRITISH & FOREIGN NEWS

Hokitika Guardian, 16 September 1926, Page 3

BRITISH & FOREIGN NEWS

[Australian & N.Z. Cable Association.]

BRITISH MOVE IN CHINA. PEKING, Sept. 15

A second expedition to Wanhsien consisting of the gunboats Cricket and Bee, a nd a detachment of seventy blue jackets, left Hankow yesterday for Ichang toi join the gunboats Cockshafer, AVidgeou, Sarah and Mortis. Yangsen is reported to be desirous of a peaceful settlement, therefore there is a probnbilty of negotiations opening at Ichang for the release of the commandeered vessels, which are believed to have been abandoned. Ichang situation is growing precarious, due to the stubborn resistance of a small force of anti-Beds, preventing tlic complete capture of the city. A bombardment has repeatedly been threatened, but has been with-held on account of civilians. (Negotiations for a peaceful surrender ■failed, hut supplies are shortening. A relief expedition is being organised to rescue foreigners, including missionaries. Attacks on foreign river boats lessened the results of the Wanhsien affair. Several attacks on United States and Japanese warships have been ignored. The Southerners'are- apparently'sati isfied to consolidate the present positions, not wishing to advance until Hankow and AVuchang positions are assured. EXPLOSION" FOILED. PJ2KTNG, Sept. 15. Ail attempt to blow up the Japanese consultjnte at Shanghai failed owing to a premature explosion of the time bomb at the consul gate. It is believed to have been a Korean plot, which is the second in three months. The carrier escaped miraculously. A coolie bystander was killed. There has been one arrest. A RECORD SAYT.Ar. LONDON. September 15. The swimmer, Edith Mayno. who recently'broke two records at Exmouth, swam a mile in twenty-four minutes, beating the world’s record by twelve seconds and swain fifteen hundred metres in record time. OBITUARY. LONDON, Sept. 15. Obituary.—Professor Rudolph Eiicken, German author, aetat eighty.