Japanese Join Strife

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 345, 4 May 1928, Page 1

Japanese Join Strife

FIGHTING SOUTHERNERS Armies Clash at Tsinanfu (United P.A.—By Telegraph — Copyright) (Australian Press Association) Reed. 9.5 a.m. SHANGHAI, Thursday. ACCORDING to a Japanese news agency, confirmed by independent British reports, Japanese and Southern Chinese troops at Tsinanfu clashed, following the looting of Japanese shops by the latter.

The Mukden war-lord Chang Tso Lin, has issued orders to hold Tsingtao at all costs. Further details state that General Chiang Kai Shek is unable to control the undisciplined troops, who are looting and firing Japanese houses indiscriminately.. Japanese troops intervened and were fired on by Nationalists, with casualties on both sides. Messages state that the fighting between the Japanese and the Nationalists was still in progress on Thursday after noon. The extent of it is not known reliably.

The messages are brief and lack details.

The Japanese, apparently determined to save Tsingtao from hostilities, have established a 12-mile cordon with 2,000 troops. It is announced that no hostilities w r ill be permitted within. Nevertheless, the majority of the highest Chinese officials are evacuating toward Manchuria. It is reported that 5,000 Japanese troops are at Tsinanfu. A Tsingtao message reports that the Northern rabble is demanding £250,000 to refrain from looting the city. The Japanese are taking all measures and responsibility for the protection of residents and the prevention of disorders.