CLOSING ON SHANGHAI.

Wairarapa Age, 9 March 1927, Page 5

CLOSING ON SHANGHAI.

UNCHECKED CANTONESE ADVANCE.

A WISELY-DIRECTED OFFENSIVE. FLOOD OF PROPAGANDA. (Received Tuesday, 7 p.m.) PEKIN, Marell 8. Although the Cantonese capture of Shanghai appears to he a prolonged operation, actually it is proceeding rapidly by the standards of Chinese warfare. The outstanding feature of their tactics since they launched their expedition against the North in July has been their unchecked advance. Within six months, they have swept South China. Despite their set-back and casualties a fortnight ago, fifty miles beyond Hangchow, which is regarded as the gateway to Shanghai, they are now following up their tremendous drive and are

within shellfire of Shanghai. Diplomacy not military incompetence is responsible for their halting cm the outskirts of Shanghai. They are staging a flank attack, instead of driving direct and precipitating an encounter within earshot of Shanghai. By driving north-east and cutting off the Shantungites from the Nankin base, they achieve the same object, and avoid international complications arising from possible shells falling into* Shanghai. Practically tho entire province of Kiangsu, save the lower lip of the Yangtsze mouth, is controlled by the Cantonese. General Galens, who is directing the Cantonese offensive, aims at compelling the Shantungites to evacuate Shanghai without fighting by threatening their communications. Two armoured train loads of white Russians entered Shanghai to assist in the defence. Shanghai is flooded with proCanton propaganda setting the stage for the entry' of the Cantonese. The most significant precaution in Shanghai is the landing of a large Japanese force to protect the Japanese mills. Individual assassinations of Chinese strike-breakers have been instigated by the General Labour Union which is hiring paid Dozens of loyalists have been slain during the last fortnight, removing obstacles to the strike planned to synchronise with the capture of Shanghai. In anticipation of the Cantonese final drive, the departure of the Suffolk battalion for Hongkong has been delayed. The Coldstream Guards have sailed for Shanghai and eight armoured cars have arrived.—(A. and N.Z.)

ANOTHER DEFECTION. MILITARY GOVERNOR JOINS SOUTHERNERS. PEKIN, March 7. Chen Tao, Military Governor of Anwhei Province, has gone over to the Southerners. This means that Wuhu, about 65 miles from Nanking, will come under Cantonese control. Chen’s soldiers to-day attempted to commandeer Messrs. Jardine, Matheson’s steamer at Nanking for the conveyance of troops to Wuhu, but the British yarship Wolsey prevented the move.

In connection with the railway strike a thousand workshops men are affected. Great efforts are being made to bring out the railway employees at Shanghai, but without avail.—(A. and N.Z.) (The secession to the Southerners of the Governor of Anwhei and with him the province probably seals the fate of Shanghai, as Anwhei extends on bath sides of the Yangtse River, westward of Shanghai, a considerable distance north and south, completely cutting off Shanghai from land communication with the north.)