TURMOIL IN CHINA

Hokitika Guardian, 29 December 1933, Page 4

TURMOIL IN CHINA

GREAT MENACE OF COMMUNISM. MANY DISAFFECTED /ELEMENTS- . WELLINGTON, - December 27.Recent military movements and banditry in China were described yesterday by Mr E. S. Little, a resident of China for 50 years, who arrived by the Monowai.

“Just as -we sailed,” Add M 1 ’ Little, “the 19th Route which is famoug in Chinese eyes because of its fight against, the Japanese the year before last, was sent down to Fukien to suppress the Communists. Its general, Ting Tsai Kan, has now declared independence, and is going to attack General Chiang Kai-shek and h’s forces. It is thought that this-rebellion will easily be suppressed. “Tsing Tsai Kan has made terms with the Communists, .and this will complicate the situation. The ■ Communists are occupying the attention of Chiang Kai-shek, and 250,000 •of his best troops on the borders of Fukien and Kiangsi, Provinces. ■ Fighting has been -going?;on there'.for.-a-year without any definite progress by the Government troops. ' “There are other disaffected elements, such as the strong forces' ot Communists ’ advancing down the Yangtse from Szchuenr" Province.; A doubtful factor also is the attitude of the war lord a of Shantung.- Although they have not definitely allied themselves with the' Fukien independence movement, they might find the opportunity to press their personal claims on the National Government. . “Banditry was very rife all over the country . We "spent the last few months ■ of summer at Peitaiho, under the shadow of the Great Wall of China. A •’ British wait vessel was- anchored jusfc off the beach, and this gave us protection. After it left the bandits operated freely 'all round the country. We watched them burning the nearby villages, while the rifle firing at night was alarming. ' • 1 “Three days after we left the -place was captured by bandits, who, in a few days, were defeated by Government troops. Several bandits were caught and shot- The whole ccuntiy,side is in a state of terror. -Men and women are kidnapped and. -carried off • to captivity. All their goods are plundered and very often their houses -and villages are burned without any redress from Government officials or forces. “It was a pitiful sight to Watch long streams of refugees fleeing wi:h babies in their arms and such few household good s ?.s they could carry, in order to escape the bloodthirsty ruffians, who have no mercy.’’