CHANGES IN CHINA

Wairarapa Age, 25 February 1927, Page 5

CHANGES IN CHINA

SUN CHUAN-FANG WITHDRAWS THE NEW COMMANDER. PREPARING TO DEFEND SHANGHAI. SHANGHAI, February 23. Chang Tsung-Chang (Governor of Shantung) entered Nanking today and assumed control of the city by arrangement with Sun Chuan-Fang, Arrangements are being made for Fengtlen troops to take over the garrisoning of the railway southward of Nanking, thus enabling the Northern army, of approximately 30,000 men which is at the present entering Nanking, being rapidly thrown into the defence of Shanghai. The indications are that Sun Chuan-fang is now practically eliminated as a factor in the military situation. The strike situation is unchanged. —(A. and N.Z.)

CHANG TSUNG’S ARMY.

THE WHITE RUSSIAN BRIGADE.

SHANGHAI, February 23.

It is reliably reported that Sun Chuan-fang, Shanghai’s military Governor, has agreed to hand over the defence of Shanghai to Chang TsungChang, Governor of Shantung. Several thousand ‘‘White Russians in armoured trains, similar to tkose L employed By a dramatic coup in the capture of Shanghai earlier in the war, are reported to be stationed within twenty miles ready to enter and protect Shanghai. It is stated that 20,000 Shangtung soldiers have crossed the Yangt.se, on the way to Shanghai. Chang TsungChang’s move tends to confirm Yang Yu-Ting’s declaration that the Northerners arc at last taking action in earnest against the Southerners. It remains to be seen whether they are proof against the dissensions and disintegrating forces which have hitherto operated in al! armies opposing, the Nationalists.

Chang Tsung-Chang’s army includes a Russian brigade, so-called because it includes 15000 **White ’ ’ Russians. Sun admits his inability- further to hold Shanghai against the Cantonese, and is rapidly evacuating the Chekiang Province, his troops looting as they retreat.

Addressing a meeting of Chinese notables at Nanking prior to the entry of the Fengtein forces, Sun wept as nsdeclared that the disloyalty of his officers alone accounted for his defeat.— (A. and ,N.Zi)

SHELLING OF SHANGHAI; ATTACKING GUNBOATS RE-CAPTURED. SHANGHAI, February 23. ■Sun Chuan-fang's local authorities recaptured the gunboats responsible' for yetserday’s firing after the escape of the crews of both vessels.—6A. and N.Z.) FEWER EXECUTIONS; PUBLIC SCANDAL CHECKED; SHANGHAI, February 23; Possibly as the result of the protests of prominent Chinese public bodies, the executions' in the Chinese City are not on such a large scale publicly; but it is reported that many executions are taking place' privately at military headquarters. .

The number of strikers (s appreciably diminishing. Thirty thousand mill workers have returned, while the trams in the French concession have partially resumed. A slight clash between the mob and the Chinese police is reported, otherwise everything is fairly peaceful.—(A. and N.Z.)

MORE TROUBLE AT HANKOW. ANTI-BRITISH BOYCOTT. SHANGHAI, February 23. Despite the Hankow agreement reached with the Nationalists promising not to discriminate against British interests, it is reported from Hankow that the boycott, hitherto indiscriminate, is definitely turning against the British, labour unions promising death to anybody supplying food and necessities to the British; while the American Steam Company has been warned of similar treatment, if they continue to evacuate British residents. —(A. and N.Z.) BRITISH VOLUNTEERS. FOR ANTX-BOLSHEVIK SERVICE. LONDON, February 23. Twelve ex-officers, headed by an artilleryman, Captain David LivingstoneLearmonth, descendant of the explorer, have cabled fb Chang Tso-lin offering their services in the anti-Bolshevik cause. In an invitation to other adventurous spirits to enlist, ho said: “We expert to lose our heads or worse if captured by the Cantonese, but we are ready to start immediately.”— (Sydney “Sun.”) AN AMERICAN MOVE. TO OPEN NEGOTIATIONS. WASHINGTON. February 23. The House of Representatives adopted a resolution requesting the President te enter into negotiations with the Chinese Republic to place treaties relating to China’s tariff autonomy, ex-tra-territoriality, etc., on an equal and reciprocal basis. New treaties would replace the old arrangements existing for two centuries.—(A. and N.Z.) FRANCE TO CO-OPERATE. BUT NO CHANGE IN POLICY. (Received Thursday, 7 p.m.) LONDON, February 23. “The Timos” Paris correspondent says the French Government has instructed its Consul at Shanghai to cooperate with other Powers in defending the Concessions and has sanctioned the use of force if necessary. This does not mean that M. Briand has departed from the general principle of neutrality. but is merely preparing for evontiii*/tics. There is no present apprehension of a siege of, the Concessions, though, it is realised that the symptoms arc disquietiii*.—(A. and N.Z.)