Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-02-18
RETREAT TOWARD SHANGHAI.
Defeated Army May Imperil City by
Looting or Rioting.

SHANGHAI, February 1S N,.-Phe
defeated Northern army of Marsnal
Sur, Chuan-fang was in fun retreat
toward Shanghai today. while the VIC
torions Cantonese war machine rolled
into Hangchow, picturesque key city
to the defense system of the lower
Yangtze Valley. without resistance
All communication between Shans-
hal and Hangchow has been severed.
At present there are 10000 OF Marshai
Suns troops at various points on tne
Hangchow.Shangha railway between
Kashinr and Sungkiang, indicating
the Shanghai war lord will make no
further stand in Chekiang Province
M which -Hangchow is the capltai.
A detachment of 500 of suns de-
coated troops passed through mere
foday enroute to Nanking, capltal OF
this (Kiangsu) province, ana Ioo
wounded men stopped here on TIE
way to Nanking.
Sums OfficiaIs Seek Refuge.
Marshal Suns local officials have
taker refuge in the international
settlement of Shanghai. Dr. '. n
Ting. minister of Shanghai, was re-
rorted to have gone to Japan Tor
medical treatment"
Marshal Suns censorship on the
local press has broken down and news
Of the Hangchow defeat was publishe0
bv the vernaeular newspapers.
Local Kuomintang Nationaliso sym
pathizers openly rejoieed at the VIC
forv and predicted Southern troops
would be in Shanghai within a week.
All missionaries at Hangchow Were
renorted safe, the majority OF the 12o
there and the 65 at Ningpo, 80 miles
east of Hangchow, having been Sent
to Shanghai previously, leaving only q
handful in both cities.
Reinforcements Too Late.
General Chang Hsun-chang, Shan
tung commander, had started rein
forcements from Shantung and Honar
provinces down through Anhwei pro
vince to aid Marshal Sun. but this
move undoubtedly is too late to save
any portion of Chektang province FOL
the Northerners.
Reliable estimates give the number
of Cantonese troops in Chekiang as
$4,000.
The capture of Ningpo was blood
less and the Nationalists are in com
plete control there and maintaining
order. Already a section of the Can
tonese army which captured Ningpo
has moved westward to join the Hang
chow victors in the anticipated marcl
on Shanghai.
Capture of Hangchow by the Can
tonese gives them a great leverage
in their struggle toward Shanghai. Il
gives the Nationalists control of the
southern terminus Of the Grand Cana
which runs the full length of Kiangsl
Province and 1000 miles northwarC
10 Tientsin. IT also gives the South
erners a stronghold only 113 mile,
AWAY, and q sea outlet near to Shang
hal.
Report City Looted.
Cantonese sources at Hangchov
reported the city had been looted ant
partly burned by the retreatinl
northerners.
The retreat of Suns troops seemed
to gather momentum tonight. whel
1000 men arrived in Shanghai AM
0uartered at the main railway sta
ton, on the border of the interna
tional settlement. Streams of refu
gees also were arriving here.
Control of Hangchow enables tn
southerners to transport by wate
troops, artillery and supplies tha
formerly were brought over noun
tain roads and trails by human power
Suns routed troops have concen
trated in Kashing and in Sungkians
where they are preparing centers o
resistance. Kashins is y miles fror
here and Al miles from Hangchow
Sungkiang Is % miles from Shangha
With the increasing threat of a bar
lie for possession Of Shanghai. tn
foreign powers continue to augmen
their forces. A battalion of the 2
Suffolk Regiment, which was statione
temporarily at HongkonS, left fo
Shanghai this morning
- The American transport Chaumon