CHINESE TROUBLE

Hokitika Guardian, 20 March 1930, Page 5

CHINESE TROUBLE

NATION A LIST GOVERNMENT

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

(Received this day at 9.40 a.m.) SHANGHAI, March 19

The General News Agency reports official propaganda of the organisation of the Nationalist Government to-day stated that General Yenhsishan is planning to establish an independent Government at Peking, bringing the former capital to its erstwhile status, (reintroducing the name of Peking and recalling the former dignity to the exclusion of Republicans. According to a report Marshal AVupeifu will become War Minister, Marshall JTuaiidlijui a 'former Premier, will become Minister of the Interior, and Liangsbihyi, known as “The God of AVealth” will become the Minister of Finance.

The announcement is regarded as the furtherance of plans of Shansi war lord to withstand, at all costs, the encroachment of Nationalist influence in the north and determina r tion of Yenhsislian to fight a determinate engagement with Ohiangkaishek. AYnpeifu since his retirement, had been living a monastic life. His name had not been mentioned until to-day in the present political turmoil.

A MIXED POSITION

SHANGHAI, March 19.

The continued withdrawal of Nationalist troops from the North to Nanking in accordance with the announced refusal of Chiangkaishek to resort "o war against General Yenhsishan, is reported to be only a temporary reireinent along Tsiupu railway to enable the concentration Nationalist forces to defend Nanking against a threatened attack by Shansi troops, who have already advanced over a considerable area and are now massing for the purpose of launching a general offensive. Yen’s trops have already disarmed the Nationalist garrison at Peking, expelling Nanking nominees, seizing telephones and telegraph. Shansi press gangs which previously had been working secretly, are now openly forcing thousands of coolies into service. The entire rolling stock of Peking railways has been commandeered by the Shansi war lord, three years previously. Every train leaving southward carries thousands of soldiers. Nanking’s position is seriously threatened by two spheres of influence, though it is generally believed by portion of the observers that Cliiangkaishek’s military and monetary resources are sufficient to prevent Nanking’s fall though joint uprisings may result in the loss of Hankow and considerable territory in the north and probable establishment of a provisional Government at Peking under Yeflhsishan,