Mowoay, May 23.
Converging of anti-Red forces upon Hankow forms the chief item in reports of the war situ Yang Sen's troops [which were originally reported 3 being eight miles below. Chenelin are now found to have arrived at a point. only 70 miles below, where they disembarked from a Portuguese steamer." These troops have joined tup with Hsiao Tao-yin's {roops and are believed to hava had an engagement with Wuchang troops on May 18," Part of the Sth Hunanese an] part of the 15th Hupeh armies are at Hanyang and the latter have openly announced themselves to be fanti-Red, A clash is imminent. outborners are claiming victories on the Honan front but this is not confirmed and is distrusted owing to. the Nationalist falsity in pro-
Considerable troop activity continues in Hankow, and there were persistent reports on the 10th that the Bolsheviks were standing by and ready to retire to 10 kilometres from Hankow. Additional activity of] troops was reported the following day from Hankow and Hsiao Taoyin's troops were reported to have Teached the Pagoda Hill behind Wuchang from where he was demanding the surrender of six Red Teaders including Borodin. This report, or at least the first part of ity was later discredited. "Hsiao Taoyin's troops did not reach Pagoda Hill but remained: on Saturday stil about 12 miles away from Wuchang. Negotiations had been carried on between Hsiao Tao-yin and Wuchang authorities and it was during this meeting that the surrender of the six Bolsheviks was demanded.
May 21.
Refugees are still flocking into the concession area though' the situation among the masses is easier as a result of the well-sustained—propaganda "victories" in Honan.
Piekots have been busy turning' back refugees and, in some cases, have confiscated their household goods. However, in spite of vigorous and deceptive propaganda, intimidation and threats of decapi tion continue and business remains at a standstill Rice-shops have closed down on a. plea that there are no supplies Shop-keepers and merchants refusing the new banknotes, coppers. have suddenly vanished! owing to the proposal of the authorities to issue notes for copper and withdraw coppers from circulation.
The Central Executive Committee of the Kuomintang has issued a manifesto pointing out that merchants and manufacturers, as well as peasants and labourers, are li portent factors in the Nationalist Fevolution. This suggests that the Government is attempting to turn away from ma: communism in an endeavour to coneiliate: the merchant} lass pending relief of the present} financial tension—Reuter.
Japanese Destroyersfor Hankow Shanghai, May 21. low: of the.seriousness of the Doi n.intHankow, the Japanese destroyers: Hinoki and Momi with) 160 marines and six: field guns have been ordered to Hankow from Shanghai immediately—Reuter.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.