Hongkong, Oct. 17.
It would appear from reports reaching here today that the question as to who will be placed in command of the Chinese forces defending South China has not yet been decided. Whereas it was still generally believed yesterday that General Pai Chung-hsi, who played a leading part in the defence of Hankow and whọ is reported to be on his way to Canton, would take oyer ihe supreme command in South China, it is stated in the "Ta Kung Pao" today that the entire Chinese forces in South China have been placed under the command of General Ho Ying-ching, Chinese Minister of War, who was appointed several months ago Commander of the Fourth War Zone, namely South China.
Officia] quarters still decline to make any precise statement on this matter. It is also not definitely known whether the Canton Gayernment has transferred its seat to some place in the north of Kwangtung Province. It is merely. intimated that the Government has conveyed its documents to a place of safety.—"Trans-Ocean.
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Hongkong, Oct. 17.
The Japanese authorities at Formosa have made the Hongkong Government an offer to supply the Colony with meat and vegetables if an acute shortage should arise in Hongkong, the Japanese Consul-General here said today.—United Press.
Hongkong. Oct. 17.
The situation in Hongkong grows more difficult every day. Not only has trade been cut off over night but also the maintenance of the regular food supply has become extraordinarily dificult. The. Government of Hongkong has arranged with the American liner President Coolidge to bring as much fresh vegetables and fresh meat as possible from Manila in order to mitigate the food shortage.
Besides this, the refugee question is causing great concern. The refuges camp of Kamtin is already almost full The so-called frontier road leading from Kowloon ta the frontier is now 'strictly guarded so that police and military authorities may be in a position to control the stream of refugees that began to pour in on Satur. day afternoon.—Trans-Ocean.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.