CHINESE TROUBLE

Hokitika Guardian, 9 May 1928, Page 2

CHINESE TROUBLE

(United Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.)

fighting resumed. TOKYO, May 8

A Tientsin despatch to the paper “Asalii Shimbun” reports that there has been a renewed attack at Tsinan.

Severe fighting continues, and there are the gravest fears for the result.

The Japanese are outnumbered

Oovunniuicatioiis between Tsinan and Tsingtau which were working the previous day, are again interrupted.

The Japanese Cabinet is stressing the necessity for a cautious policy ol protection, and not a punitive policy. The Cabinet is continuing its deliberations. There are meanwhile twenty transports and troops ready, awaiting the Cabinet's decision, which is expected to-day. The news of renewed hostilities, it is hoped. is eX:1,-■ ratod. Lilt it is feared to lie true. ’Hie Japanese War Office is without advices.

STATE OF WAR. (Received this day at 8 a.m.) SHANGHAI. May 8. Ignoring.the agreement reached between themselves and the Japanese authorities to suspend hostilities pending the settlement of the Tsinganfu affair, the Southerners resumed fighting, proceeding on a large and serious scale. The Japanese are counter-attack-ing furiously. The situation amounts to war without a formal declaration from either side. Fighting commenced following the penetration of the Japanese ■sentry lines. A party of Southerners commenced looting and spread over several points of the city and finally engaged a majority of the opposing forces.

The Southerners are reported to !r> one hundred thousand strong and the Japanese are outnumbered by two to one, reinforcements on route bringing the total up to thirteen thousand. Artillery was employed hv the Japanese, directing the fire on (he native quarter of Tsinganfu, where a majority of the Southerners are billeted. Chinese civilians were warned to evacuate and are fleeing panic-stricken to the outlying districts.