Revolt in China.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 104, 23 October 1911, Page 5

Revolt in China.

A SECOND BATTLE. IMPERIALS RETIRE. STRATEGY OK DEFEAT? COKTLICTIXG RETORTS. Bj* Gabk —Frees Association—Copyright London, October 20. The Times' Pekin correspondent states that the Government has modified its arrangements, anil will now send from Manchuria and Shantung onlv a few thousand troops. This is attributed to the feeling that the two division' entraining for Hankow are sufficient to deal with the situation. Some think that Yuan-Shth-Kai will assume command of the treops. The Daily Mair« 'Pekin correspondent states that it is reported that the Loyalists have been repulsed north-west of Hankow, with lo=«es of TOO men. The Chronicle's Shanghai representative says it is reported that there was a second battle lasting ten hours, chiefly at the railway station below the Japanese concession. The Hankow rebels were victorious.

The correspondent proceeds to show that Li-Yuan-Heng. by subtle strategy, started the revolution and seized* the Viceroy at, Juicheng. and using his seal, despatched a messenger to the manager of the Hanyang arsenal urging him to come to the Viceroy 1 * aid. Whilst the men were absent the revolutionaries seized the arsenal. The manager was afterwards retained at his post under the revolutionaries' standard. The Shanghai correspondent declare* that the Imperial forces at Hankow have retired northwards. It is believed to be a strategic movement to join the Imperials arriving by train. Renter's Hankow correspondent reports the rebels as winning.

Hankow, October 20.. The rebels advanced on Thursday, and found the Imperialists had abandoned their camp, which the rebels thereupon occupied, capturing some baggage and ammunition. The Chinese gunboat also retired several miles down the river.

The Imperialists camped ten miles from Hankow.