FIGHTING AT CANTON.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18403, 9 June 1925, Page 9

FIGHTING AT CANTON.

YUNNANESE REVOLT.

TWO GENERALS REPLACED.

CHANGE FOR BETTER IN SHANGHAI. (by cable—r?.r.33 association—-cotysigitt.) (rsl-tep.'s telegrams.) PEKING, June 7. The greater part of China is inflamed by the seething unrest which has been manifested by the .Shanghai strikes and riots. Rival factions are in open collision in Canton where tho Yunnanese mercenaries have, challenged tho authority of the governing party which succeeded the late Dr. Sun Yat-scn. In various other towns student demonstrations and rioting have created a dangerous situation. The morning newspapers think the end of the strike at Shanghai is within sight. Certainly there lias been a remarkable change in the general atmosphere. The Chinese in tho streets are beginning to fraternise with tho volunteers. This is mainly due to the impending departure from Peking of diplomatic representatives which will lead to discussions by which the Chinese invariably expect to settle troubles, big and small, when the momentary excitement passcß.

The situation is still delicate and little would be required to revive the fires of racial antagonism which extremists are continually fanning. One of the outstanding features of the riots was the loyalty to the Council of the Chinese volunteers despite bitter attacks-by the vernacular Press, while only 100 of ICOO Chinese police failed to withstand the strain of continual vituperation heaped on them at every point by strikers. «

Advices from Canton state that, while protesting loyalty to the principles of the late Dr. Suit Yat-son and the Kuoniingtang (People's Party), the Yunnaneso Generals, Yang llsi-miu and Lau Chun-wan, presented a demand to the authorities to order the cessation of troop movements in the East and North Eivor districts, otherwise they would /take necessary measuros to resist. The authorities replied denouncing tho Generals' insubordination and dismissing them and appointing General Chu Pei-tch,. Acting-Commander of the Yunnaneso forces. This was a virtual declaration of war. Yang Hsi-rnin . seized tho telephone and telegraph offices and light plant. Tho telegraph line to Hong-Kong is cut near Sheklung. Blind Barricaded. Barricades have been erected the entire length of the Bund, where tho Yunnaneso are facing the Cantonese, who have ' barricaded ' the island 'of Honan across the river. The authorities command the river and tho Yunnanese control the Canton sido entirely. General Hsu Chuug-chi's Cantonese Army is approaching from Sheklung. The main body of Yang Hsi-miu's troops is advancing in opposition. General Chu Pei-teh, with' loyal Yuannanese and Hunnanese troops, is approaching from the north, and Lau Chun-wan is advancing to resist him. The Baptist Mission schools at Tungshan have been closed and foreign women and children are leaving. It is greatly feared that, the Kuomingtang will call a general strike. A further message says that fighting began in the afternoon, All the gunboats are now going up the river to Shanicen, firing directly on the Bund. A later message states that gunboats passed Shamoen but did not fire on the Concession a/ea. They headed around Honan, Island. Bine and machine-gun fire was opened from both sides of the river near the cement works. Firing had practically ceased late in tho afternoon. All Hong-Kong boats left tho river during tno figluujg. j IN OTHER TOWNS. i CHIN-KIANG NOW QUIET. (AUSTBALIAN AMD N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION.) PEKING, June 7. In connexion with the urgent appeal for protection from the British (Jon-Bul-General at Chin-Kiang, near Nanking, where serious riots broke out in the Concession area, the arrival last night of the United States gunboat Paul Jones synchronised with the abatemont of riots there, which ap-. patently have not been renewed. Today's reports state that the situation is quiet. A brief- wireless messago says that students are working up a strike at .Kiu-Kiang. No details are available. I THE POWERS' NOTE. j REPLY TO CHINESE PROTEST. (hctzb's tslsqbaus.) PEKING, June 7. The Italian Minister handed a Note to the Chinese Government acknowledging receipt of the Chinese Note of June 4th relative to the disorders in ohaughai. While remarking that the reports received by the Chinese Government are incomplete, since they do not mention several attacks on foreigners, the Powers reserve- judgment till the arrival of fuller details. To this end the diplomatic representatives concerned have decided to send to Shanghai a delegation to study the situation. The Note declares that the authorities in the International Concession, far from having assumed the violent attitude which the Chinese Government [ seems to attribute to them, have proi served the self-control, as i proved during the last four days. De- i (Continued at foot of next column.) I

I spite numerous provocations, no serious incident has occurred in Shanghai. The Note-renews the assurance that the police in the International Concession always had instructions to usa arms only if attacked and in imminent danger. These orders hare been renewed and will be strictly observed. SOVIET LEADERS JUBILANT. (Sydney "Sto" See vice.) MOSCOW, June 7. The Sdviet leaders are exultant over the events in China, which, together, with the Moroccan and Balkan troubles, they declare prove the existence of a widespread class and race warfare, which is a prelude to decisive Communist victories. Zinovieff, who is speaking everywhere, inciting to disorder abroad, declares that tho disturbance in China, as elsewhere, indicate the necessity for | arranging for a new struggle against j Capitalism. i