CHINESE TURMOIL.

Hokitika Guardian, 23 April 1928, Page 2

CHINESE TURMOIL.

NORTHERN ARMY DEFEAT,

(United Press Association.—-By Electric

Telegraph.—Copyright.)

SHANGHAI. April 20,

The Northern armies’ defence is crumbling, and their retreat is assuming the proportions of a rout, with the Southerners in hot pursuit. General ('liking Kai Shell's lorces arc now carrying all before them on the Shantung front, and they have advanced their artillery within range of Tsinanfu. the capital ol Shantung I’mviiH e. They are reported to be now shelling the city. Anxiety is felt for a large missionary population, including numbers of Canadians and Australians. The Southern armies’ aeroplanes are liiinihing Tsinanfu, and thus are adding to the confusion among the Northern troops, who are reported to he demoralised, as the outcome of the Southerners' amazingly swift advance. In the event of Tsinanfu falling, and of the Southerners crossing the Yellow River, Marshal C luing Tso Lin will require to throw his entire .Manchurian army Into tlic fighting line, in order to save Peking. Meanwhile, the Christian General. I'engyuhsiang. is rapidly advancing on a victorious march Irom the west, and he is expected shortly to link it is lorces with those of General (hinng Kai Slick.

In view of the latest developments, the date of the departure of troops Irom Japan has been advanced one day.

An emergency force of three hundred from Tientsin reached Tsinanfu to-day. Although there is a British battalion now stationed at Wei-hai-woi, within casv distance, if is not likely to be despatched to Tsinanfu, as the present disturbance is not of an anti-foreign nature.

NORTHERNERS SUCCESSES. (Received this day at 8 a.m.) SHANGHAI, April 22. Foreigners at Tsinanfu are evacuating on consular orders, and hastening to Tsingtno. The latest war despatches state' the Southerners are following up their earlier successes, and although they Lave not yet captured Tsinanlu. consular Japanese precautions indicate the capture is inevitable. The vanguard of the Japanese mixed brigade aimed at Tsinanfu. .vhere they are preparing defences.

JAP WARSHIP

(Received this day at 8 a.m.) TOKYO, April 23

The first class cruiser Asliigara wdl tie launched to-morrow at Kawasaki, in the nresenee of Prince Enslium.

foreigners evacuating

(Received this day at 9.30 a.m). SHANGHAI. April 22. A possible double danger to the present situation may arise out ol the demoralised state or the Northern troops. A majority of missionaries have evacuated to Tsingtno. A most significant report comes Irom iho Ini tt let rout that Chang Chung Gluing, the military governor of Slmnguing. (oinmandiiig the delealed Northern Torres has sent his family to Tsiugtao and deposited seven million dollars in foreign hanks, in preparation for Might. A million Slia'ugtuiig residents are reported dying from starvation.