CIVIL WAR.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 July 1920, Page 5

CIVIL WAR.

THE CRISIS IN CHINA. PRESIDENT A PRISONER. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received July 13, 10.30 p.m. London, July 12. Tientsin reports that the Chinese President is virtually a prisoner in the hands of the Anfluites at Peking. The railway to Shanghai was cut and the Peking-Hangkow line is not working. The Morning Post's correspondent says that if China is again subjected to the miseries of civil war the fact must be emphasised that Japanese militarists are responsible for the frontier TteTence army, which was formed against the wishes of the Chinese and friendly powers.—Aus.-N.Z. Caoie Assn. FIGHTING COMMENCES. Received July 14,1.20 am. London, July 12. A message to the Evening News from Tientsin states fighting has started at Zofa, along the Peking-Tientsin railway. »—United Service. SITUATION BECOMING WORSE. London, July 12. The Tientsin correspondent of the Daily Mail reports that the position is worse-. Three thousand Tuan-chi-jui troops are confronting an army commanded by Tsaokim Wupeifu at Tinching, 54 miles south-west' of Peking. An early battle is expected. A panic prevails in Peking. Martial law has been proclaimed. Terrorstricken Chinese 'ate leaving the city in thousands and are pouring into Tientsin. The bellicose and bloodthirsty attitude of the troop's has compelled the stoppage of all trains. The American authorities, have ordered the evacuation of white residents in the Pao-ning-fu district. Peking reports state that 10,000 troops have arrived as a bodyguard for the Emperor. The population have lost their heads and hordes are storming the hospitals' and foreign hotels for refuge. Business is at a standstill. In London the military circles regard the situation as serious. Tuan-chi-jui is credited with being monarchial, imperial, ambitious, and the most powerful man in China. The Emperor is a mere puppet. It is believed that the Legation forces are sufficiently powerful to protect English residents.—United Service. Tientsin, July 11. Nothing beyond minor skirmishes has occurred, and Peking is quiet. The Cabinet has issued peremptory orders to th e Chi-jui party against moving troop 9 on Peking. Diplomats deprecate any alarm among foreign iresidents. , The military have torn up the lite near Techow,' on 1 the Tientsin-Pukow railway.—Ans.-N.Z. Cable Assn.