CHINESE TROUBLE.

Hokitika Guardian, 7 March 1927, Page 2

CHINESE TROUBLE.

[by TELEGRAPH —PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.] PARTS, Ararch 5. The writer, M. Pcrtinax, in an article in the “ Echo do Paris,” points out that the Japanese ports are only fortyoiglit hours from Shanghai, and it adds: “If, as formerly, the British and Japanese politics had been united the scenes at Hankow would never have occurred.” CANTON ADVANCE. SHANGHAI. Alareh 5. The Cantonese Are steadily surrounding the City of Shanghai. The Shnntnngite forces are threatened with a severance of their Nanking base by the approach - r Cantonese who are Diming at the seizure both the railways leading to Shanghai. An-M'"" general strike is regarded as certain when tho Cantonese launch their attack. The .authorities here are preparing emergency staff’s for vital services. There is a British force entrenched on the railway embankment approaching the settlements. The crisis is expected in from three to five days’ time.

The United States marines here, thirteen hundred strong, had their first route march through the streets • of the settlement to-day, and they then returned aboard their ship, as-at present there is no room to billet them ashore. Additional troops are leaving Hongkong for Shanghai in view of the looming crisis. SHANGHAI. Alareh 5. A later message states: “There are persistent reports that General Chang Tsun Chang (Shantung leader) and General diking Kaishek (the Connnan-dcr-in-Chicf of the Canton armies) hive readied an agreement providing that there shall be no opposition to the Southern forces in occupying Shanghai city. The report requires confirmation.

REPORTED -SPLIT IN HALVES SHANGHAI, March 4.

Despite official denials it is increasingly reported that General Chen Tai Yuan the Governor of Anwliei Province (along the Yangts/.e') livis joined the Southerners, and that lie has .cut the Ticntsin-Pukov railway, and lias destroyed a large bridge at Kuclien, in North Anwliei, thus cutting off Chang Sung Chang’s main moms of moving his large Sliaiigtung forces on Nanking on the way to Shanghai. If tliis report is true it- means the big gost revese for the Northerners, as the Southerners will now he able to come through Anwliei Province and attack Nanking on almost all sides, while the Northerners, with their force practical ly split in half, are unable to rush up reserves. The cutting of the railway will also nrevent any Fengtien advance oil Honan. MMMIIWWMIIBWiIIWniIWBWHIIWiiIMHIIIITIW