Evening star., 1927-01-26

SHANGHAI. January 26.~-Civil war
| which racked China for wear has
| been virtually suspended while the
country focuses its attention upon the
struggle of the Nationalist, or Can.
tonese government, against foreigners.
particularly the British. The can.
tonese having brought under their
domination half of China in n remark
able campaign of arms and propa-
ganda, have for the time ceased their
attack upon the northern forces and
| turned their attention to elimination
OF foreign influence.
The British alignment against the
NauonaIlsts has been more clearly
uraWh IN tne last two days. with the
NatlonallStS vigorous pronouncia-
mento Monday directed most specffi
cally against Great Britain, and the
numerous dispatches from London re-
porting that three infantry brigades
nau peen ordered to China to protect
brltlsh lives and property in Shanghai.
however, Chinese everywhere are
asking whether a force of such size
VIII De held for such limited objective:
Whether part of it may not be used
~ attempt to restore the old posi-
SAh1 iol AllSu dl f1dnkOW, whose
concession district has been taken
over by Nationalist authorities for adj
hlmstrative purposes.
FlOcking to Shanghai.
hundreds of British and American
women and children have come tn
ohahgnal for safety since Chinese
MODS forced them out of the British
concession in riots of January 3 and a
1uere is civil war today in only two
nIeaIers-Chekiang Province, where
s ene pest reports agree that Marshal
sun Chuan-tang, northern leader, is
piesent holdlng his own against the
Nationalist invaders of one of his
provinces of eastern China. and in
1ohan Province, where confusion and
obscurity resulted from detection of
neutenantS of Marshal Wu Peifu
whose provinces in central China
were occupied by the Nationalist
armies.
developments are expected soon in
Cheklang. 1t is understood that orders
nave been issued for a general ad-
vance OF the first Cantonese army
from the Kiangsi Province border to-
ward Hangchow on the seacoast of
Chekiang. In this region Sun Chuan-
tang'S troops have been attempting
to stay the Nationalist advance to.
ward Shanghai, 113 miles by railroad.
Elsewhere the northerners appar-
emily are content to rest on their
arms and watch the outcome of the
contest of their nominal enemies. the
Cantonese, against foreigners.
1t is not doubted that events at
Hankow, where the Cantonese over.
ran the concessions and took posses
sion, have encouraged Chinese Of all
factions hopefully to anticipate the
early arrival of the day when China
will obtain the fullest sovereignty
over all territories within her borders,
with the abolition of foreigners spe-
cial privileges.
Threat of United Attack.
Persons high in the councils of
Marshal Chang Tso-lin, dictator of
Manchuria and power behind the Pc
king government, including his son,
Chang Hsueh-liang, have not hesi-
tated to declare that the British at
tempt forcibly to regain their Hankow
concession would meet with the unit
ed opposition of the north and south.
The immediate threat to Shanghai
is not considered by foreign authori-
ties to be the possible invasion by
Cantonese army, but trouble from
within by sporadic rioting of radicals.
on in advance undoubtedly contribute
their efforts. Strikes involving thou
sands of Chinese constantly are in
progress. AS quickly as one is settled
another is begun.
Southern agitators who were known
to be active failed to keep the tram
way employees on strike few days
ago, but they succeeded in inducing
the crews OF public busses to walk out
Thus they kept in effect partial tie
UP of the city's transportation.
The problem of the defense Of Shang-
hal is claiming the careful attention
of foreign consular and municipal au-
| thorities. The first troop reinforce
ments, company OF 200 men of a
Punjabi regiment. are due from Hong
kong today. Another company is eX-
pected tomorrow. These will be quar-
tered at the race course.
Preparations also are being made to