CHINESE TROUBLE

Hokitika Guardian, 16 May 1928, Page 3

CHINESE TROUBLE

AMERICAN ADMIRAL. VIEWS ON CHINA POSITION. Australian Press Assn.—United Service / (Received this clay at 11 0 n.m i TOKIO. .'lay 15. ■ Owing to the gravity of impending events in North China, Admiral Rristol, Commaiulor-iu-C liicf of tlie American Asiatic Fleet in Japan, who was on an official visit, informed a correspondent that lie is leaving Yokohama on Wednesday night for Shimonoseki, where he will board an American destroyer on Thursday night, proceeding to Tientsin. Admiral Bristol’s flagship, the cruiser Pittsburg, will remain at Yokohama for some days, later sailing for Chingwantao, which is tlie regular American fleet summer headquarters. While Admiral Bristol can not be quoted, it is known be can see serious potentialities in the ( liina situation and will bend every oilort to prevent American I o reox becoming involved. It is believed Admiral Bristol is in full accord with Washington State Department’s programme for the evacuating of American nationals to the warships in the event ol it being impossible to defend them in Tientsin, without endangering tlie lives ol Chinese civilians and Japanese.

Competent foreign observers, however, think lighting in Tientsin is unlikely. They do not expect any repetition of the Tsinan incidents since they feel the geographical situation of Tientsin is entirely dificrent and emphasise the city will be adequately defended by large iiiternaHonn! forces, including Japanese, American, British and others. It is not anticipated here that it will he necessary to remove foreign Legations and nationals from Peking to Tientsin and there is nodiuli. cation of the Japanese Government considering such action.