SHANGHAI MENACED

Wairarapa Age, 18 February 1927, Page 5

SHANGHAI MENACED

REPORTED BREAK IN COVERING DEFENCES.

CANTONESE TROOPS ADVANCING. A CRITICAL POSITION. SHANGHAI, February 16. Despite the general belief that Hangchow was safe in Sun Chuanfang’s hands and an immediate threat of the Cantonese temporarily removed, the staggering news has been received locally that Sun’s line of defence has been cut within six miles of Hangchow and his f orces are retreating in disorder to Shanghai.

The last line of defence betjveen Hangchow and Shanghai is at Sunkiang, thirty miles from Shanghai, where it is hoped a desperate attempt to hold up the advance of the Cantonese will be made. In event of failure the Cantonese will be within thirty miles of Shanghai. The gravity of the situation is the worst for many weeks. With the possibility of the complete defeat of Sun, Shanghai will be an easy prey to the Cantonese.

There are indications of a somewhat rapid and unexpected development in the military situation in Chekiang. The Southerners claim to have captured Cruchow, forty-five miles south-west of Hangchow. Well-informed quarters believe it is true also' that a Southern offensive is developing in the sameregion. The troops participating in it are unknown. Probably they are those whom it was either impossible or undesirable to withdraw northward for the defence of Hankow.—(A., and N.Z.)

THE HANKOW PARLEY. FOREIGN OFFICE DENIES RUPTURE. SETTLEMENT STILL POSSIBLE. LONDON, February Ifi. In reference, to the Hankow negotiations the Foreign Office explains that there never was any rupture. Mr. O’Malley and Mr. Chen reached an agreement at the week-end. Signature was expected, immediately, but at the last moment, Mr. Chen sought a fuller explanation of passages in Sir Austen Chamberlain’s speech. Mr. O’Malley felt that; he could, not reply off-hazrd. He therefore cabled to the Foreign Office for a complete statement of the position and requested new instructions

Apparently the unexpected last-min-ute interruption of negotiations due to Chen’s queries was misinterpreted by the Press in China as a definite rupture, while the delay in the transmission of Mr O’Malley’s lengthy message accounts- for the absence of official news here long after the Press announced the rupture.

The Australian Press Association understands that Cabinet discussed China to-day. The newest hitch is not regarded as in any way an insuperable obstacle to settlement.—(A. and N.Z.) A GLOOMY REPORT. HANGOHOW ABOUT TO FALL, (Received Thursday, 7.40 p.m.) PEKIN, February 16. Hangchow, the gateway to Shanghai, a hundred miles inland, and connected by a railway which has been hammered incessantly by the Cantonese for a month without avail, against the forces of Sun Chuan-fang, Shanghai’s military governor, is about to fall. Sun Chuan-fang is commandeering every engine and carriage in preparation for retreat. The Cantonese are expected to capture the city in a few days. Hangchow messages say it is officially believed that the Reds are finally bidding for the possession of Shanghai, but whether they will actually attempt to enter is uncertain, as they may fear labour troubles and a consequent curtailment of the taxable element. Foreigners arc not disturbed by the reports awing to the presence of British soldiers. Hankow continues silent, regarding the negotiations.— (A. and N.Z.) PREPARATIONS FOR RETREAT. (Received Thursday, 9.5 p.m.) PEKIN, February 17. The Shanghai-Hangchow railway has suspended its passenger service. It is understood that this is due to the concentration of rolling stock at Hangchow in view of the possibility of Sun Chuan-fang’s troops falling back on Shanghai.—(A. and N.Z.)

FALL OF HANGCHOW. REPORTED FROM SHANGHAI. REDS ADVANCING. (Received Thursday, 9.40 p.m.) SHANGHAI, February 17. Reliable reports state that Hangchow has been captured by the Cantonese and that Sun Chuan-fang is retreating northward. A number of his forces at Ningpo were surrounded, but escaped seaward, where they commandeered three ships. Sun Chuan-fang is forced to make his last line of defence at Sunkiang, forty miles from Shanghai.—(A. and N.Z.)