The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1927-03-25

necessary. A heavy movement Of
Chinese national forces across the
river from Hankow was reported.
American refugees comprising Is
men, 81 women and 81 children had
sailed from Marking for Shanghai on
the steamers Kungwo and Wcnchow
early today.
u. s. Destroyer Fired On
The American destroyer William
h. Preston, while escorting the
refugee boat Kungwo from Marking
to a point below Kiangwan. was fir
ed upon from Marking points. The
fire was returned by the destroycr's
machine guns. Chinese forts above
and below Chinkiang also fired on
the Preston and the destroyer again
replied by turning loose its four-inch
battery. No casualty to the Prcston's
personnel resulted.
The situation at Chinkiang was
described as serious. All Americans
there have taken refuge at the stan
dard Oil company's installation and
British refugees have concentrated al
the Asiatic petroleum station.
Looting and firing were reported
in progress throughout the cOnccs-
sion area and Americans were prepar
ing at 4:43 p. m. today (Chinesc
timc) to leave on the steamer
Wcuchow for Shanghai.
Another dispatch from Admiral
Williams sent at 4:43 p. M. today
Chinese time) said an attempt was
under way to rescue foreigners in
Marking. participated in by American
and British representatives and local
Chinese authorities.
Communication Disrupted
At II Il. m. Chinese time) Ad-
miral Williams said attempts to es-
tablish communication with foreign
ers in Marking had been unsuccess-
full. He reported that the entire
staff of the Standard Oil company
of New York, situated in Marking,
was safe.
Previous to having sent the u!ti-
matum and having authorized Ad-
miral HOugh. in command of Amcri-
can forces at Marking, to use his
judgment in dealing with the situa-
ton, Admiral Williams had sent
this message to his fellow officer az
Marking:
American, British and Japanese
commanders in chief agree that if
possible further drastic action should
be avoided until general Chan Kai
Shek Cantonese war lordO has been
given an opportunity to fulfill his
guarantees to provide adequate pro-
lection to all foreigners"
Admiral Williams said he had con-
CURED in the opinion Of the senior
British naval authorities at Marking
that a determined Smelling Of the
military points in that city, avoiding
as much as possible those sections
occupied by civilian and non-com-
batants, would have a beneficial cf-
feet upon the situation.
Chang En- Route to Marking
A report by Admiral Hough to Ad-
miral Williams, forwarded to the
navy department, said that Admiral
Hough had received indirect word
from General Chang Kai Shck that
the general hoped to reach Marking
on March 26 to take charge. Chang
promised that he would guarantee
the safety of lives and property Of
all foreigners in Marking.
The admiral said the local Chinese
at Marking had been notified that:
First. We demand that a general
of division command rank shall come
on board prior to noon today and ar
range for proper treatment Of wound
ed foreigners ashore.
Second, that If this demand be
not complied with, Chiang's request
cannot be guaranteed and We shall
take such action as may be deemed
necessary. 1t may be deemed ncccs-
sary to fire on barracks, on salient
military points, in order to obtain
the release of Americans remaining
alive on shore, approximately 1885,"
Notice had been served on the
Cantonese commanders at Marking
that salient military points would be
shcllcd unless immediate guarantees
Of safety for foreign life were fur
nished. The bombardment was to
have begun late this afternoon.