TROUBLE IN CHINA

Hokitika Guardian, 21 September 1926, Page 3

TROUBLE IN CHINA

[Australian & N.Z. Cable Association.] SEIGE OF WUCHANG. , PEKlNG,' September 21. (] Tho siege of Wuchang is approaching } a climax, Bed plans arc afloat to ( mine the walls and tunnel an entrance. The food situation in the city is desperate. there being only a week’s supply. The blockade is complete. There are tcwnty-six foreigners inside, in- p Gliding twenty-one Americans, three t British and two Germans. All were , refused an exit, though cholera is rag- . Jng among the soldiers and civilians, j killing many. Communications are j completely severed, owing to the Bed i determination to starve the defenders , to submission. Tho defenders resist- j mice is becoming an epic, causing the hold-up of the Bed campaign and permitting the mobilisation of a strong anti-Bed force, possibly turning the tide of the war elsewhere. Several f battles are progressing without np- , preciable results. i Except for Reverends Jackson Bevan j and Woodha;ns, who are detained, all Europeans and Americans from Wanlisien have safely arrived at lehang. Jackson states Yangsen promises them safety and though they were detained they are not prisoners, possibly hostages in view of a second naval expedition. It -is reported Sunclnianfang and Chnngtsolin liavc reached an agree- , ment providing for co-operation against the Beds, tho former receiving Shantung Province as a reward in the event of the Bed defeat. Americans in Hankow are endeavouring to send supplies to Wuchang for the relief of besieged foreigners. Foreign ships have been warned against anchoring on Wuchang side of the river during the blockade. Cholera is also taking toll in the Bed army. Russian troops in the Bed army are becoming Smore prominent. I being sent to the front to encourage the vanguard of Senelmanfang’s force. Cantonese officials at Shanghai emphasise that tho Bed campaign is progressing according to plans, meaning ’ that the next step will ho the invasion of Sundhuanfatig’s five provinces, in.."kcluding Shanghai. T Several missionaries at Sianfu in Shensi Province have been detained, flic Chinese believing their presence lends to their security. Prince George has left Shanghai to join the cruiser Hawkings at Hankow. Beports of Wanhsiou negotiations state an agreement was reached for the Toleaso of the steamers Wnnhsien and Wanton", but the indemnity question is not settled. GUNBOAT FTBF.D ON. PEKING. September 20. An American gunboat was fired on beyond Hankow vestordav from both banks of the Yanktse by machine guns. Three sailors were wounded. Southerners were responsible for the action. The vessel replied with machine gun fire. ,• Foreigners situated at Chunking and Yanktse gorges are seriously men a red

1 *WIIUWMBWB» W am | M»IIIl | ll 111 , in view of the seriousness of the situation. The evacuation of foreigns to Telia no has begun. Two boatloads of foreign refugees left the foreign qunrii ters which were occupied by soldiers. I,