CHINESE TROUBLE.

Hokitika Guardian, 17 February 1927, Page 3

CHINESE TROUBLE.

[dt TELEGRAPH —PER TRESS ASSOCIATION.]

STAGGERING NEWS. SHANGHAI, Fob. IG. "Respite the general belief tlmt Hangchow was safe in Sunchuanfang’s bands, and the immediate threat of the Cantonese was temporarily removed, staggering news has been received locally that Sun’s lino of defence has been cut within six miles of Hangchow, and the forces aro retreating in disorder to Shanghai. The last lino of defence between Hangchow and Shanghai is sinking thirty miles from Shanghai. It is hoped that a desperate attempt to hold the advance of the Cantonese will he made. Tn the event of I '■failure, the Cantonese will 'he within miles/of Shanghai. ■ The gravity of the situation is the worst for many weeks, with n possi- I l/ility of a complete defeat of Sun, and I Shanghai will he an easy prey for the I Cantonese. There are indications of a somewhat I rapid and unexpected development I in the military situation in Chekiang. I The Southerners claim to have captur- I ed Huchaw, 45 miles south-west of Hangchow. Well-informed quarters I believe this to be true and also that I ■a Southern offensive is developing in I the same region ,though, what troops I aro participating in id are unknown. I Probably they aro those whom it was either impossible or undesirable to withdraw from the defence of Han- I kow. CHEN’S DEMANDS. LONDON, Fob. IG. The ‘‘Morning Post” understands that Chen’s latest demand is an assurance that British troops and warships I shall under no circumstance he used I against or in support, of any Chinese unity representing either North or I South. The demand is so skilfully I worked that any reply might he taken 1 as an acknowledgement of the right I of Cantonese to hold a brief for the I rest of China. I