CANTONESE CLOSE IN

North Otago Times, Volume CVII, Issue 17748, 9 March 1927, Page 5

CANTONESE CLOSE IN

-Press Accooiation-

i i ' big flank movement, \ ' to terrorise shangtung- ' \ ... v. ites, " -v ' i. . \ ^ r l ' ;rv"" big japanese force. ■ ■ ■ ^ british line tightens.

XOftbla-

—OoTivriffM.Y

(Ansirslian and N.Z. Press Association.) Received Tuesday, 7 p.m. PEKING, March 8. Although the Cantonese capture of Shanghai appears to be a prolonged operation, actually it is proceeding rapidly from the view point of Chinese warfare. The outstanding feature of their tactics since they launched against the North their expedition in July has been their unchecked advance. Within six months they have swept South China. Despite a set hack and casualties j a fortnight ago fifty miles beyond | Hangchow— which is regarded as ; the gateway to Shaiighai — they are | now following up a tremendous i drive and are within shellfire of | Shanghai. Diplomacy and not military inI competency is responsible for their | halting on the outskirts of Shang- ! hai and staging a flank attack. In- | stead of driving in direct and precipitating an encounter within earshot of Shanghai by driving' northeast and cutting off the Shangtungites ftom the Nanking base they I achieve the same object and avoid ; international complications arising \ from the possibility of shells falling ; into Shanghai. i Practically the entire province of ■ Kiangsu, save the lower lip% of the ! Y'angtsze mouth is controlled hy the | Cantonese, General Galens who is i directing the Cantonese offensive ! aims at compelling the Shangtung- ■ ites to evacuate Shanghai without i flghting hy threatening their communication. Two armoured train loads "of white Russians have entered Shanghai to assist in the defence. Shanghai is engulfed in a flood of pro-Cantonese propaganda, the setting stage for the entry of the Cantonese. The most significant precaution j in Shanghai is the landing of a i large Japanese force to protect the j Japanese mills. Individual assassina- j tions of Chinese strike breakers j have been instigatedi hy the General | Labour Unions, who are hiring paid killers. Dozens of loyalists have been slain in the last fortnight removing obstacles to a strike planned to synchronise with the capture of Shanghai. In anticipation of the Cantonese flnal drive the departure of the Suffolk Battalion for Hong Kong has heen delayed. The Coldstream Guards have sailed for Shanghai and eight armoured ?ars. have arrived.