Completely Routed.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 105, 24 October 1911, Page 5

Completely Routed.

CHINESE IMPERIALS STAMPEDE. REBELS CUT OFF THEIR RETREAT. lIAISRASSTXG THE FLEET. By Cable — Press Association—Copyright. Received 23. 10.31) p.m. London. Oetoher 23. The 3rd Brigade of Imperialists were completely routed at Hanau. Tiiey stampeded northward, but afterwards returned to Sinyamhau to await reinforcements. The rebels are busy fortifying the hills at Ymchang. nearing Sinyanchau, with twenty thousand men. It is believed the rebels hold the passes connecting Hanau and Hupeh. thus cutting off the retreat of three thousand Imperialists from Hankatl. The route is also regarded as impassable for General Yinchang's forces. The rebels hold Kwangchau, sixty miles below Hankow, where the river is at its narrowest width, for the purpose of harrassing Admiral Saehcnping's fleet. It is stated at Shanghai that the Government's application for a loan has been refused on the ground that it would be a breach of neutrality, which the Powers desire to observe. Consular reports confirm the fall of Changsha.

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OPENS. < NO REFERENCE TO THE REBELLION. ABLAZE WITH DISAFFECTION. Received 23, 0.50 p.m. Pekin. October 23. The National Assembly has opened. The Speech from the Throne did not mention the rebellion. An official despatch to the British Legation states that unless General Yinehang obtains a decisive victory within a few days the whole Yangtse Valley will be ablaze. DEATH-DEALING SHELLS! THE CHINESE WAY. POWERS PROCLAIM NEUTRALITY. Received 23, 9.40 p.m. Pekin, October 23. Many shells fired from the Chinese gunboats at Hankow were merely painteed wood, the outcome of corrupt practice*. The foreign Consuls at Hankow hare proclaimed their neutrality^ A VALIANT LEADER. UNABLE TO TAKE THE FIELD. IMPERIAL COMMANDERS' EXCUSE FOR, DEFEAT. "WE ARE NOW AWAITING DEATH!" Received 23. f1.50 p.m. Pekin. October 23. In reply to an edict ordering him to eo-operate to suppress the revolution. Yuan-shih-kai states that hi* foot is unhealed. He enumerates other complaints from which he is suffering, and says he is unable to work at present. A rescript has been issued ordering Yuan-shih-kai to resume his duties when he is better. Yuan-sbih-kai's reply to the announcement that he would be dismissed, ostensibly owing to the injuries to his head and foot, are ironical.

Saehenping and Yinrhang. in a joint despatch, state that though the Imperialists were at first successful at Hankow there were so many wounded that the forces were enfeebled. Being unable to secure reinforcements, the army had to retreat. The despatch also mentions that the fleet is out of coal and rice. The despatch concludes: "We are now awaiting death!"

[Yuan-Shih-Kai is the ex-Viceroy of Pechili, and his disgrace and banishment at the beginning of 1009 marked the assumption of power by the Prince Regent on the death* of the Emperor Hwang Hsu and the Empress Dowacer. Yuan was not merely the most powerful, but he was the ablest official in China. In the crisis of the Boxer movement he kept his head and saved his count it from partition. He was the prop of the restored Government of the Empress Dowager. Yet suddenly he was stripppn of his posts and honors, and sent back, a disgraced man. to his native village! Under other circumstances, his, life as well as his position would have berfn forfeit, but the Prince Regent was warned that Yuan was held in ijgli esteem by the Treatv Powers, and that to murder him mh.'ht be perilous. It was stated in May hut that the Chinese OoTPrnment was semi officially negotiating with Yuan-Shih-Kai with'a view to his reappointment to office.] TREATMENT OF THE WOCNDED. Pekin. October 22. The Red Cross Society failed to secure recognition by the leaders of Imperial troops, and consequently many of the wounded were not card for. and were subsequently killed or mutilated by civilian sympathisers with the revolt. The rebels attacked (lie Imperialist at Seven Mile Creek. The latter fled far to the northward. DEMONSTRATION IN SYDNEY. Sydney. October "_'.'!. The revolutionary (lag was hoisted bv the Chinese Masonic Society at Sydney yesterday, but there was no demonstration. The revolutionary spirit is spreading.