WAR IN CHINA.

Taranaki Daily News, 2 May 1922, Page 5

WAR IN CHINA.

SOME HEAVY FIGHTING, WIDESPREAD ACTIVITY. BRITISH CORPS READY. By Telegraph.—Press Assn. —Copyright. Received May 1, 7.30 p.m. New York, April 30. The Chicago Tribune’s Tientsin correspondent states that heavy fighting continues at three points, being heaviest at Changsintien. The fighting consists chiefly of rifle and machine-gun firing across waterways, indicating that neither side is able to effect a crossing. Heavy troop movements continue through Tientsin, both to Langfanf and Machang. The French gunboat Garonne has arrived. The British volunteer corps mobilised to-day. Arms and equipment were issued, and the men ordered to report for duty on Monday afternoon. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. PROTECTING THE CAPITAL. FOREIGN POWERS TAKE ACTION. Received May 1, 8.40 p.m. New York, May 1. Following upon the declaration of martial law at Pekin, the diplomatic body met to discuss precautionary measures. It was decided to await a reply from the Chinese Foreign Office on the warning against fighting in Pekin. The commanders of Allied troops at Tientsin reported that they were ready to seize the Pekin-Tientsin railway if traffic was interrupted. The American Legation suggested that Washington should send an additional gunboat to Tientsin.

President Chang has issued three proclamations, one ordering the opposing forces to withdraw in view of the demoralisation of the nation’s industries, the second asking the Pekin gendarmes to take adequate measures to protect the Pekin metropolitan area, and the third emphasising the need for protecting the fives and property of foreigners.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.