ANOTHER ADVENTURE ON THE YANGTSE

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 17, 11 April 1927, Page 1

ANOTHER ADVENTURE ON THE YANGTSE

BIG GUNS SPEAK Chinese Fire Returned CHEN WOOS JAPAN’S FAVOUR ARTILLERY SCATTERED The British warship Veteran was fired on by field guns near Chinkiang, but returning fire with heavy armaments it destroyed the Chinese gun emplacements. With the object of placating the Japanese Mr. Eugene Chen has made offers to the Consul-General which include the immediate suppression of all anti-Japanese agitation in China, if Japan refrains from joining in the ultimatum to be presented to the Cantonese by Great Britain, America and Japan. The Soviet has presented a note of protest against the raid on its Embassy at Peking. The Nationalist army has had several reverses in its advance northwards.

Bp Coble.—Press Association.—Copyright Reed. S a.m. SHANGHAI, Saturday.

The British warship Veteran was yesterday under flield-gun and rifle Are from forts 15 miles down the river from Chinkiang. The Veteran returned the tire with her main armament, tiring 80 rounds, destroying the gun emplacements and hitting the barracks; and doing considerable other damage. The Veteran suffered no damage.

It is reported from Hankow that Mr. Eugene Chen, Nationalist Foreign Minister, has requested the Japanese Consul-General to transmit to Tokio an offer that the Nationalist Government would agree not to interfere with the Japanese concession at Hankow and not demand its retrocession and immediately suppress all antiJapanese agitation in China, provided that Japan would agree not to join Britain and America in the ultimatum. A wireless message from Hankow states that the Nationalist troops at Wuchang have declared allegiance to Marshal Chiang Kai Sek. It is further reported also that the Nationalist capital will shortly be removed to Nanking. A wireless from Chinkiang reports that the Nationalist expedition up the Grand Canal has met with a serious reverse at the hands of the reorganised remnants of Sun Chuan Fang’s army, which recently evacuated Shanghai, This army, which is steadily driving back the southerners towards the river, reached Yangcliow at the confluence of tlje Yangtse River and the Grand Canal. Americans at Kwangtung have been officially ordered to evacuate and go to Hongkong. The presentation of the Powers’ joint Note regarding the Nanking outrages has been held up, being due to Japan’s reluc-

tance to participate in any economic blockade or the military occupation of China. A search of the Peking Soviet Embassy Yesulted in the discovery of further proof of anti-British add antiJapanese propaganda. —A. and N.Z. SOVIET INDIGNANT NOTE ON EMBASSY RAID WILL NOT BeT PROVOKED By Cable. —Press Association. —Copyright Reed. 11.20 a.m. LONDON, Sunday. The Soviet Government has presented a note of protest regarding the Embassy raid and characterises it as disgraceful and an act unprecedented, and a violation of the elementary rules of International law. The Soviet demands that the Chinese police immediately leave the Soviet premises, that all arrested members of the staff be immediately released and that all property be returned. The Soviet declares that it possesses adequate resources for recourse to repressive measures and compulsion. It says that the Imperialists are provoking a Soviet war. Peking has become a tool in the game played by foreign Imperialists. The note concludes that the Soviet Government, pending satisfaction of

these demands, considers itself bound to sign a protest and recall from Peking its Charge ITAffairs with all the Embassy staff, leaving only the personnel to fill consular functions. The Soviet clearly realises that in irresponsible circles the foreign Imperialists are provoking the Soviet int> war.

The Soviet’s policy made and will make a starting point in the interests of the toiling masses of the whole world, including the interests of the masses pf the Chinese working class. All countries should reply, as the Peking raid was an act of provocation which was pursued with the aim of making worse the International situation and transforming the military action practically waged by certain Imperialist Powers against China, into a new world war. The Soviet declares that it. will not give way to provocation from anyone and by all means will defend the cause of peace between peoples. The Soviet does not doubt that in its aspirations for peace it will meet with the friendly support of the toiling masses in all countries, including the primarily Chinese Soviet citizens.— A. and N.Z. CANTONESE REVERSE LOSE STRATEGIC POINT SUNCHUNG’S COME-BACK By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright Reed. 8.40 a.m. LONDON, Saturday. The Foreign Office has received confirmation of the report that the Cantonese have been driven from Chungkiang, ah important strategic point, by the Northerners commanded by Sunchung-fang, ex-Governor of Shanghai, who was thought to have been entirely effaced from military and public life. Other official news shows that M. Jacob Borodin, Soviet Minister, returned to Hankow and delivered violent anti-foreign speeches. The diplomatic body at Peking informed General Tso Din that they expect a proper trial of the men arrested on the Soviet premises. Five Powers have setn identical notes relating to Nanking, and they will be simultaneouoly published throughout the world when handed over to the Cantonese. The notes do not contain threats, sanctions or a time limit. A hundred Nationalists wounded are being brought to Chinkiang, where the Nationalist flags have been hauled down preparatory to departure. -

Two other Northern victories are reported. Southern troops are advancing along the Tientsln-Pukow line were driven back towards Fengyang. The Southerners also suffered a defeat on the north bank of the Yangtse, opposite Kiangyin. Heavy fighting continues in the areas mentioned. The evacuation of foreigners from ports above Hankow are completed and the Yangtse Valley is nearly empty of foreigners. The Japanese garrison at Mukden guaranteed protection for all foreigners.