FIRING IN CANTON.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18417, 25 June 1925, Page 9

FIRING IN CANTON.

IN BRITISH AREA.

MACHINE GUNS USED.

' FIVE CASUALTIES OF EUROPEANS. (SV CA2LE—TOESS ASSOCIATION— COPTSIGHT.) (SZCTia's TELEOHAiIS..) PEKING June 23. This afternoon, thousands of students, workmen, citizens, and soldiers paraded along tho Bund in Canton and around Shameen. When they were opposite the Victoria Hotel, in tho British. Concession, firing began. British and French, marines replied with machine-guns. Tho firing lasted 20 minutes. Chinese soldiers firing from tho West Bund. A French merchant, J. Pasquir, was killed. . The Commissioner of Customs, Mr Arthur Edwards, one British .marino, and two civilians, were wounded. .The opinion is unanimous that the first shofe came from the Chinese. (Received June 24th, 11.5 p.m.) It appears that tho demonstration was comparatively peaceful until a section of tho demonstrators suddenly Bred, killing the Frenchman and Grounding some Britishers. British seamen, seeing the CbnsulGeheral and British Senior Naval Officer under firo, discharged their rifles, but the naval officer ordered them, to cease fire. Firing from Canton then ceased and order was restored. MARTIAL LAW, • ACTION IN SHANGHAI.

JAPANESE ATTACKED IN OTHER

CITIES.

(JUTCTBR'S TH.EOaA.MS.)

PEKING, Juno .23.

• The Government has proclaimed martial law in the Chinese suburbs of Shanghai, and prohibited propaganda. It will ako, confiscate arms and ammunition .

Coolies loading • cargo demanded an udvanco in wages. The agents refused the demand and brought Russians to work. They axe guarded by armed Annamit» t coolies. Trouble was threatened, buMj-rie police managed to control the situation.

A number of ocean-going vessels are held up by the strike. "Unconfirmed private telegrams from "VVuchow (Kwangtung) state that a Japanese Customs Commissioner was killed and two other Japanese injured. At Chinkiang, strikers stoned the Japanese Consul, who demanded an apology, intimating that otherwise strong action would be taken. A boycott of Britishers and Japanese is operating at Nanking.

Students at Wuhu are intimidating compradores, who are consequently refusing 'supplies to British and Japanese warships. At Chungking, crowds stoned the Japanese Consul. POSITION GRAVER. TROUBLE EXPECTED AT AMOY. CONSULS ASK FOR SHIPS. (Received Juno 24th, 11.5 p.m.) PEKING, Juno 24. There aro signs of an increased antiBritish boycott. Cabinet decided to issue orders authorising procedure regarding 'the National Delegates' Conference. It is expected that President Tuan-chi-jui will shortly issuo. a circular telegram, emphasising tho importanco of holding the elections to the conference as early as possible. According to a Hong Kong message, It is reported from Amoy that tho situation is graver owing to tho students insisting on demonstrating against foreigners in tho international settlement. The Chinese authorities are of the opinion that they aro ablo to control the situatiou, but tho British, American and Japanese Consuls have requested their Governments to detail warships ■ to Amoy to stand by.

Meanwhile 500 British and foreign women and children haro left Slmmeeii for Hong Kong aboard the, British steamer Honam. The East Surrey regiment has been Drdered to stand by. * .. iLiTE FROM POWERS. PEKING, June 23. Signer CerrutK, Italian. Ambassador, on hchalf of the interested Powers, lias .handed to the Chinese Foreign Office a . reply to the Cliine.se Note. Tho reply regrets that the Govern- ; ment has taken up an attitude regarding recent incidents directly opposed to the established facts, and such as will not facilitate a friendly settlement. It disclaims any responsibility on the part; of the Powers for delaying a settlement.

AUSTRALIAN SHIPS. (Bcccivcd Juno 24th, 11.5 p.m.) MELBOURNE, June 24. In tho House of Representatives Mr Brennan (Labour) asked the-Minister of Defence whether tho cruiser Brisbane was at present operating in Chinese waters, and whether any other .Australian war vessels were there. .The Minister asked for notice.