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China Mail
ESTABLISHED
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No. 25,752 - HONG KONG, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 24, 1927.
IRONSIDES QUIT.
ENTIRE FORCE EVACUATES CANTON.
KWANGTUNG POLITICS.
Turning Attention To East River Cities.
REDS SPREAD OUT.
Canton Agents Now at
Amoy?
RAID ON PORT NEAR SHANGHAI,
Communists Busy In Nationalist Territory,
BIG DRIVE AGAINST COMMUNISTS AT HOIFUNG ANTICIPATED. Amoy have been ordered by
Shanghai, Yesterday. Both the police and the military the local Nationalist authorities to take special precautions against Communist agents in the port:
It is believed that a number of agitators, after leaving Canton when the troops had restored order there, have secretly enter- Any for the purpose of fomenting trouble.
Opinions.differ as to why the Ironsides have evacuated Canton to their last man, preferring the East River cities of Sheklung and Walchow, Some think that they are bent on a "vindication cam- paign" which will be directed at the "Soviet Government" in opera-ed tion between Swatow and Bins Bay, while others predict hostilities between the Ironsides and two other factions with designs on Can- ton. Latest political developments in Kwangtung province are
detailed below.
YUNNANESE IN CAPITAL.
About 20,000 Ironsities are gathered at Waichow, on the East
River, 60 miles cast of Canton, realy to strike a mortal blow at the "Soviet Government" estab- lished in the hinterland of Bias Bay.
Latest intelligence to hand bears out the prediction made by the "China Mail" political corres- pondent that the Ironsides are to engage in a vindication campaign.
Leaders Fade Out,
Their commander-in-chief, Gen- eral Chang Fah-kuei, has had to resign. The second-in-command, General Wong Ki-cheung, hus been dismissed.
hung, one of the big four of the Kwangsi group, is hampered by
lack of funds and will not risk a clash with the Ironsides or Paper- sides until his faction regains more prestige or General Li Chai- sum has returned.
THREE COLUMNS.
Ironsides To March Near
Bias Bay..
Looting & Burning. On the night of Dec. 20, a Com- munist horde broke into villages adjoining the port of Kiangyin, near the mouth of the Yangtsze River, looting and burning.
Nationalist troops arrived on Dec. 21 and the Reds retired. "Hong Kong Evening Post."
[Note: Amoy. is a port southern Fukien. Kiangyin is miles from Shanghai.]
GOING TO-DAY.
Soviet Consulate Staff of Shanghai,
95
in
Shanghai, Yesterday. It is reported that the staff of the Soviet Consulate-General will be leaving Shanghai to-morrow.
Tram Service Improves.. About fifty trams were running The "China Mail" Canton cor- to-day and the service has improv- respondent reports that the Iron- ed although the strike has not sides are now indifferent as to ended.--British Naval Wireless. whether Canton is theirs or not.
Shanghai, Yesterday. They will concentrate on vindicat- The tram service is gradually Their principal political spon- ing themselves by fighting the resuming. Twenty-six tramcars sor, Mr. Wang Ching-wei is prac-Hoifurg-Lukfung Reds and then are running to-day, chiefly in the tically an exile from China. His seek a home elsewhere. They are Western district of the Interna- three or four leading supporters also hoping to come to terms with tional Settlement-Reuter. have left or are leaving Canton. an army on the rukien frontier
which is further away than Swatow.
Three columns of Ironsides will march out from the East River against the Reds, the right wing being nearest the coast but miss-
Upwards of 10,000. men this week travelled the 40 miles by the Kowloon Railway (Chinese section) from Canton to Sheklung. Frontier Left Open. Garrisons in districts along the British (New Territories) fron-ing Bias Bay. tier have been withdrawn to join the concentration camp at Wai-
chow, going via Sheklung.
THE OTHER VIEW.
HANKOW REDS.
Twelve Russian Women Now Released.
In fact, the Ironsides have Kwangsi and Others May Attack ill-treatment from the author-
gone so far as to denude the rail- way zone of troops and less than
a brigade will be left in the main base at Sheklung.
Ironsides.
3.
News from Chinese sources is that both the Kwangsi garrison
MOSCOW'S VOICE.
PEKING BADLY HIT.
Crop of Reverses In the War.
WHITE RUSSIAN GENERAL DIES?
Premier's $500,000 For Counter- Offensive.
A crop of cables came in over- night all pointing to very bad
PRICE, $3.00 Per Month.
DOOMED
Crew of American Submarine.
RESCUE ABANDONED.
"Apparent Incompetency Of Navy Department."
New York, Yesterday. All hope of rescuing any of the
"The Useful Christmas Gift”
Buy an 8 power British or French Binocular at the
Special Price of :
$45.00
at
LAZARUS'.
TRIAL BY COMBAT.
THE ONLY SOLUTION FACING CANTON.
WAR IN THE NORTH.
Failure To Form Stable Kwangtung Govt.
times for the armies of the Pek- crew of the submarine S4 is vir- WHY A SOUTHERN POLITICAL COMPROMISE WILL NOT SERVE.
ing Government in their wer with the Nationalists.
The Nationalists have reached
tually abandoned. The rescue fleet is now devoting its attention to sal- vage, but the raising of the vessel
[By "Li Chung-yin.”]
Trial by combat is the only solution facing Canton and the pro- vince of Kwangtung now that a deadlock has been reached in the negotiations to form a strong government; but as better prospects will follow this inevitable war, it is hoped that hostilities-will-be- decided quickly.
a point about 400 miles south of is unlikely until the Spring-Reu- Peking and their offensive is sus-ter's American Service..
American Legions Criticism. tained.
"Losing All Round.”,
New York, Yesterday, According-to-the-Chinese-re Since the $1 tragedy people have ports, two detachments, have sur- been too interested in the life BAY rounded to the Nationalists; a ing efforts to criticise the Navy De- general has resigned, the (Rus partment's management of the sal- Only three months ago, there were indications that South China sian) general of the White vage operation. Now, however, the would be free from political struggles while the Yangtze Valley and Russians has died; the people of public Press is showing certain im- Shantung province are in a panic patience. A resolution crystallising the North would be embroiled in drawn-out campaigns between bit- because their province has been the feelings of a considerable sec-terly opposed factions. Expectations have been borne out only in entered; and their best fighters tion of the public was passed by the far North. are already retreating to the the Massachusetts Post of the north bank of the Yellow River.
Mr. Pan Fu, the Premier of the American Legion declaring that "the" Peking Government, is reported apparent incompetency of the Navy
:
A BAFFLING MYSTERY.
exist
to have brought $500,000 to Tsi- Department in handling the situa nanfu (capital of Shantung) with tion, whether due to lack of proper which General Chang Tsung-equipment, red tape, inefficiency or
For once other causes, can be viewed, only
conditions chang has been asked to launch a
with apprehension."
which make it moderately safe counter-offensive.
Meanwhile the Secretary of the to offer predictions as to the Trouble Near Hankow.
numerous state-course of events in Canton. A Shanghai cable to the "South Navy has issued
Anything may happen in the China Review" says that comments giving the impression that he
North and, viewed as a whole, nunication between Hupeh and is on the defensive.
Everything points to the whole the welter of China's domestic Hunan provinces (south of Han- kow) has been severed owing to question of safety measures for sub-problems still provides a baffling the Nationalist troops there com- marines being thrashed out in Con- mystery,
When General Li Chai-sum re- gress shortly. The strong feelings aroused by the disaster all over, the cently acted against the country are hardly likely to be violent of the labour unions and satisfied with less. Reuter's Ameri-ordered the winding-up of the anti-Hong Kong strike movement. he took a step which he had hitherto been very reluctant to take.
"FRESH AND COOLER."
Good Beginning To Christmas Weather.
"Fresh north-eatt winds, clear, cooler" is the forecast issued to- day by the Roya! Cratory for. the 24 hours ending at noon to- morrow.
This applies not only to Hong Kong, but also to the adjacent (South China) const and Formosa Channel.
+
can Service,
A WINDFALL.
GIFT TO PAY OFF NATIONAL DEBT
SPECIAL LEGISLATION,
Rugby, Yesterday.
more
Hopes Dashed to Ground, His policy then was taken to indicate that he felt himself strong enough for the first time
Merchants looked forward to an era of peace and prosperity at least until China New Year.
Comparatively, he had been a but successful administrator;
material hovering on the provin- cial frontier close to Swatow.
Compromise Useless.
Based on the foregoing, I ven. ture to suggest that these three groups must fight it out for the winner to keep Canton and to keep it safely. Compromise will not serve as they will fight even after a patched-up agreement.
There is not enough scope-- scope being best constructed as revenue for three armles in Kwangtung.
It is useless summing up the pros and cons to back one of these armies as the potential victor. Chinese merchants have done it in the past to their own detri- ment-and they are now content to hope for the best which must come soon.
Chiang Kai-shek and Canton. Chiang Kai-shek's career dur- in the next month or two may have large effect on Canton,
His success will mean a check on the Kwangsi faction, but it is difficult to think what his attitude to the Ironsides will be. His greatest handicap - from · his point of view-is that his protege is still fairly far from Canton.
It is stated in political circles; that an offer was recently made to the Treasury of a considerable sum Hankow, Dec. 22. Twelve Russian women were re-ing into contact near Yochow with should be allowed to accumulate for ground.
of money which the donor proposed hopes were soon dashed to the leased yesterday (Wednesday) the Hankow forces which were a long period so that it might ulti- evening. The released persons defeated some time ago.
The Kwangsi administration, of mately be devoted toward paying which he was the head, was easily state that they did not suffer any General Pei Chung-hsi, one of off the National Debt.
overthrown by their friends the the big four of the Kwangsi The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Ironsides. ities.-Reuter.
group, who threatened war on it is understood, was ready to ac- Kwangtung has since been in a Canton, has arrived at Hankow, 'cept the gift, but there were found slate of war between the Iron
General's Arrival.
to be legal dimeulties in the way of
I cannot vouch for the North Hankow, Yesterday.
its use in the manner proposed. It aides and the Kwangsi faction.
but I am convinced that in South was decided that provision should at Swatow and the Chiang Kai-Threatens Punishment for Acts of
Public Opinion Heard, General Pei Chung-hsi has ar be made to give effect to the donor's
China the name of Chiang Kai- shek "diehards" on the Fukien
rived at Hankow from Shanghai.wishes, and for this purpose a new cause they failed to hold the Com-is not the household word it was The Ironsides lost prestige be- shek-China's soldier of the hour frontier are likely to march west-
-British Naval Wireless.
clause was proposed to the Trust munists in check. wards with Canton as their goal.
[Note: One of the Kwangsi big Funds Validation Bill which was
before his "resignation" a few For this reason, the reports Mass meetings of protest four, this general has tendered his The Reds' Opportunity.
say, the Ironsides are construct- against the execution of Soviet resignation as Defence Commis All those who could do so haveing defences along a short line citizens in Canton have been held sioner of Shanghai as he wishes Moscow, Leningrad and to bring his army to Hankow on the East River, fearing more in danger from this side than from Siberian cities: and the Russian whence to march overland to at-
Far Eastern Shipping Agency an-tack the Ironsides in Canton.] the West River.
According to the "Wah Keungnounces the cancellation of its Yat Po," the Kwangsi adminis-steamship services in all Chinese wards for the capture of the Red tration at Swatow has offered re-ports.
Therefore the Ironsides will have fully 20,000 seasoned men for the drive against the Hoifung and Lukfung districts where the Reds hold sway.
fled from this unhappy area but a few more refugees arrived yes- terday in small fishing boats.
As explained by the "China Mail" Canton correspondent over a month ago, the place is too poor to induce a garrison to stay there. Taking advantage of the land being undefended except for mili- tia, the Reds gathered all the banditti, guerillas and Peasant Corps they could and overthrew. the local government.
Troops for Canton,
Savagery.
Moscow, Yesterday.
M.. Chicherin has issued a long lenders near Bias Bay, hoping to statement protesting against the clear that area preparatory to a executions, concluding to the challenge to the Ironsides.
IN THE NEWS.
REPORTS.
The Reds probably have 3,000 ITEMS FROM TO-DAY'S POLICE rifles between them and a small fraction are ex-soldiers. Against even odds, they will be no match. for the Ironsides who are in such preponderance.
A Chinese male child who fell on a rice bowl and injured his face
Detachments of troops other was adr-itted to the Government than Ironsides have arrived in Civil Hospital yesterday.
Canton these few days, from the
the city.
The driver of public motorcar
A
on the forehead by broken glass
At Honam, across the Canton and removed to hospital. River from the city, westwards to Fatshan and Samshui, the 5th Army (dubbed the Papersides) under General Li Fook-lùm holds sway.
OUR MONEY.
STILL A $4% MILLION BALANCE,
by
Yangtsze Valley. The return of Chiang Kai-shek to leadership of all the Nationalist armies has already begun to in- fluence the military situation, in the Yangtsze Valley,
Observers had formed the opin-
Yangtsze Valley would be the scene of protracted hostilities which would keep trouble out of Kwangtung.
considered in Committee in the At last public opinion made months ago. This right make a House of Commons on Wednesday itself heard in Canton. People substantial difference.
Sir Thomas Inskip, Solicitor- asked for the return of General General, moved the new clause to Li Chai-sum. Their wishes have exempt a benevolent fund from law been backed up by the bloodless against perpotuities in order that recapture of Kongmoon it may in the end be used to pay Kwangsi troops and a gain of off the National Debt.. CHIANG KAI-SHEK.
The clause was added to the Bill, down the West River.
70 miles in a 120 miles march which was given the Royal- assenti Re-Assuming Command of the before Parliament was prorogued. Bowing to the inevitable, the
Armies.
Though it was generally under- Ironsides have reconciled them-ion-in which I shared that the stood that a definite offer had been selves to evacuating Canton. effect that the "Soviets reserve
made to the Chancellor the sum Shanghai, Yesterday.
But they will not make way for, the right to undertake what mea-
It is reported that General was not known. A report to-day or surrender to, their old friends aures may be deemed necessary, in view of the bloody crimes in Chiang Kai-shek re-assumes the puts it at £100,000.-British Wire the Kwangel faction because do- ing so will be conclusive evidence Generalissimate on January 1,
of their guilt of usurpation. South China against Russia: these savage acts cannot remain after which it is expected that he will appoint. General Ho Ying- unpunished."-Reuter.
ching Defence Commissioner of Shanghai and Woosung in succes- Bion to General Pei Chung-hai (of the Kwangsi group. Reuter.
MORE ORDERS.
ELECTRICITY WORKS IN
YAUMATI FIRE.
Appl
INJURED SOLDIER IN
HOSPITAL
the
HUNGARY.
BRITISH GROUP'S LUCK.
Rugby, Yesterday.
&
Jess Service.
FRENCH FLIGHT.
REPORTED DEPARTURE FROM ADALIA.
Angora, Yesterday. The acroplane Georges Guynemer is now reported to have left Adalia. for Aleppo on Wednesday after tak- ing in fresh petrol-Reuter.
SUN AND RAIN.
METEOROLOGICAL, FIGURES FOR NOVEMBER.
Nationalist Influence,
Hankow forces were very quickly To the surprise of all, the
scattered by the Nationalist ex- pedition from Nanking.
Now it is necessary to take in The sudden end to the war be. the effect of latest developments tween Nanking and Hankow WRS at Shanghai and Nanking, where welcome. Victors rapidly took the most influential of National-over control and peace has been ists are gathered.
restored. But Chiang Kai-shek has
General Chiang Kai-shek, the
now cast an eye on the former generalissimo, is in the Yangtze Valley. limelight. In seeking help for his Desire and Counter-Besire. North River. Some are. Yunnan-No. 489 reports that whilst driv
come-back, he flirted with the Absence from the field has. ese mercenaries, says the "Hong
The police report of the fire that
Canton group of politicians who caused the majority of his own Kong Evening Post" and the ing along Praya East yesterday, occurred at Yaumati
yesterday
form the civilian counterpart of men to be incorporated in other the Ironsides. others belong to a "neutral" Lt-near No. 2 Police Station, he ran
evening states that the outbreak
general's commands. He now de- General who now has charge of into the rear of a tramcar.
Chiang Kai-shek does not want sires his own army again. And It is stated Irom Vienna that an passenger in the car was injured commenced. at 161, Reclamation
a rattan ware agreement has been completed be
Li Chai-sum back in Canton. One in seeking recruits he proposes to Street, occupied as shop. The fire spread to 159, and tween the Hungarian Government The rainfall for the month of reason is that Li Chal-sum be collect the remnants of the de- 165 and 157 were also damaged. and a British group for the estab- November at the Botanical Gar- which opposed Chiang Kai-shek.
longs to the Kwangsi faction fented Hankow army. No loss of life has been reported. lishment of electricity works at dens was 1.32 inches on five days. Another is that when Li Chai-sum Hankow do not wish Chiang Kai- But the Nationalist generals in The amount of damage and inaur- Banhids Beartotis for the electrifl-
cation of the railway line from at the Matilda Hospital (Mount governed Canton he stopped send-shek to have an army. Accord ance is unknown. .
Arising out of the above out- Budapest to the Austrian frontier] Kellett) it was .5 inches on three ing money to Chiang Kai-shek atingly, they are going to crush the break, Ernest Kendall, of "D" Com and for the supply of power to days, and at the Police Station Nanking.
remnants once and for all so that Budapest Municipality. A (Talpo) it was 4.20 inches on two
"Worst of All.”
nobody can take them: A logical pany, the Queen's Regiment, has capital of £8,000,000 in stated to be days, and at the Royal Observa- been admitted to the Kowloon Hos involved. British industry is to re-tory (Kowloon) 1.825 inches on So Chiang Kai-shek has a deduction is that there will be pital auffering from injuries to the celve 40 per cent, of the orders, in-six days.
nominee for the chief position in more fighting, but probably of The balance in hand of Kong head sustained whilst assisting at cluding 20 electric locomotives. The lowest reading of the the government of Canton which short duration. Kong Government funds on Sept. the outbreak.
barometer (mean sea-level) was is to be formed snew, to restore
Long War To Come?, 30 was $4,781,528.06.2
29.67 inches at 12.80 p.m. on the order out of chaos, and to be
Chiang Kai-shek's presence as 20th. Weste
strong enough to prevent a re- The maximum squall velocity, petition of the Red rising. generalissimo may or may not en- courage the Nationalist army now. as recorded by the Dines-Baxen- This nominee is General Chen advancing steadily against Pek dell anemograph, was at the rate Min-chu who is friendly both to ing. In fact, the Nationalists of 74 miles per hour at 12.27 p.m. the Kwangsi faction and to the have in Chiang Kai-shek's ab on the 20th
Ironsides, ik weet nos sence retaken all that they lost The highest temperature was There's the rub. He may want just before his resignation. 82.4 degrees on the 4th and the Canton for himself, or he may The present Peking faction has lowest 58.7 on the 80th side with one army against the lost and won before and is likely other (which would resist), to the on the face of things to be in- detriment of peace in Kwangtung volved in a long war of defence Worst of all, General Chen against the Nationalists In North Min-chu” has a
of good China
· FUNDS WANTED.
Cause for Kwangel's Halt on West River..
Outside of the territories refer- red to and along the lower reaches
In September the Colony spent $1,426,058.97 and the revenue was $1,934,880.84.
of the East River, the present The Colony's assets on Sept. 30
Canton Government does not have totalled $16,988.214.73.
any power. N
Kongmoon and hinterland is in
the hands of 'Kwangsi troops.
The main strength of the It is notified in the "Gazette"
·BIG OPIUM HAUL.
214 TINS FOUND. ON
>>>WHARF.
Two hundred and fourteen tins of
British Wireless Service.
DE VALERA.
FUNDS FOR IRISH REPUBLICAN NEWSPAPER.
VISIT TO NEW YORK.
New York, Yesterday, Mr. De Valora has arrived bere..
He has announced that he will try
Kwangsi army has called a halt on that at the expiration of three prepared opium were brought to the the West River, some 50 miles months, the Yik Wing Steamship water, Police Station by detectives to raise $250,000 in the United The sun shone longest on the above Saroshul. The "China Co., Ltd., will, unless cause is yesterday. The drug was found in Mail" political correspondent shown to the contrary, be struck a bag tied with rope on Tin Chung learns, that, General Wong Ship- off the register of companies, wharf, Taikoktaul
і
Stated in order to stablish an Irish 5th, for 10.7 hours. There were Republican newspaper. Reuter's 281.4 hours of sunshine during An American. Service, vinke for the month