PANIC AT HANKOW

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 631, 6 April 1929, Page 9

PANIC AT HANKOW

NATIONALIST GUNBOATS IN THE HARBOUR 2,000 FOREIGNERS SAFE (Australian and N.Z. Press Association) Reed. 10.17 a.m. SHANGHAI, Friday. Fifteen Nationalist gunboats broke into Hankow Harbour this morning, followed by Marshal Chiang Kai-shek’s forces. The latest news states that 2,000 foreigners in the concessions at Hankow are safe. The situation in the Chinese civil war took a dramatic turn last night after the collapse of the important Wuhan defences and the flight of the defending army to Hankow. The Nanking army is in pursuit, and is nearing the city and expected to enter it at any time. There has been no further serious fighting. The evacuation of Wuhan forces created a panic among the Chinese residents at Hankow. Thousands of them are pouring into the foreign concessions. Precautions have been taken by the foreign authorities for the protection of their nationals. Disorders are feared in the event of the fleeing troops entering the special administration districts. The panic has spread to the native city, the officials of which have completely disappeared. Although it is stated that the retreating troops are under control, they are apparently making a circuit of Hankow, the control of which the Nanking forces are expected to assume to-day.