WILD RETREAT TO SHANGHAI

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 127, 19 August 1927, Page 1

WILD RETREAT TO SHANGHAI

Reed. 10.32 a.m. RUGBY, Thursday. The railway line which was cut in consequence of Chinese interference with a British airplane is a loop-line on the western border oL the International Settlement. It connects Kiangwan with the Chinese military headquarters, and is near the British posts on the Shanghai cordon, established by the defence force when the Internatinal Settlement was imperilled some months ago. PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES By a pure coincidence this has occurred at a time when refugees and armed stragglers from the defeated Southern forces are flocking along the route from Nanking to Shanghai in such numbers that the International Settlement authorities have considered it advisable partially ,to re-estab-lish the defence line. This precautionary measure was taken yesterday. Latest reports from Shanghai state that although conditions are quiet, there is a latent uneasiness among the Chinese, due to the uncertainty of the situation, and the consequent recurrence of Extremist propaganda activities. BRITISH WARSHIPS PREPARE The British naval authorities on the Yangtse have made arrangements for facilitating a withdrawal to the vessels in the river of the foreign residents in Nanking should such a course become necessary, in view of the presence of Northern troops, which have already occupied Pukow on the opposite side of the river, and are reported to have commenced a bombardment of Nanking.—A. and N.Z. SHANGHAI, Wednesday. The police force here has been trebled, and machine-guns and armoured car units and volunteers have been instructed to be prepared to be called out. The confusion is intense. The refugees brought reports to the effect that the booming of guns was audible at Nanking, which is being bombarded by the Northerners from Pukow. The north bank of the Yangtse River is now Occupied by General Sun Chaunfang’s forces. Yangeliow, the Yangtse terminus of the Grand Canal, directly opposite to Chinkiang, is also in the hands of Sun. The Nationalist troops made no attempt to cross the Yangtse. Nationalist flags, which lately have been flown in thousands in the settlement, have now entirely disappeared. The' situation is so serious at Nanking that foreigners are hurriedly evacuating the city and panic-stricken Chinese are fleeing in thousands. Sun’s White Russian troops were responsible for the capture of Pukow. Armoured trains are being prepared for a further bombardment of Nanking across the river. The Nationalists are stampeding to Shanghai. The Japanese forces are co-operating

CHINESE NATIONALISTS ROUTED CONFUSED ARMY OF REFUGEES BRITISH FORCES READY FOR TROUBLE THOUSANDS of refugees, fuuowed by tl_; Nationalist Chinese Army, in full retreat after a smashing defeat by the Northerners, are crowding the roads from Nanking to Shanghai. Intense confusion prevails. Foreigners are fleeing from Nanking, and British warships have been despatched. The city is being bombarded by the Northern Army across the river at Puk^w. British Wireless—Press Assn.—Copyright

with the British in the defence of the settlement. —A. and N.Z.

Reed. 9.5 a.m. SHANGHAI, Thursday. The wings of the British airplane detained by the Chinese military authorities were delivered up in the evening. Repairs to the cut made in the railway by British troops are proceeding.—A. and N.Z.