BRITISH COMMUNITY SUFFERS SMALL DAMAGE

Chronicle (Levin), 28 May 1949, Page 5

BRITISH COMMUNITY SUFFERS SMALL DAMAGE

Received Saturday, 1 a.m. LONDON, May 27. Reuter's Shanghai correspondent says the 3000 British community emerged from the fortnight's battle with comparatively small property damage and no easualties. The British 'ConsulGeneral (Mr. R. W. Urquhart) said: "We are counting our blessings rather than our losses at the moment in view of the considerable damage that might have (Occurred. "The moderation and control on i both sides were remarkable, and we , have every reason to consider ourselves j fortunate. '"' Mr. Urquhart said he , was f ' not in the least despondent regarding i j the future of Shanghai. "There is ; ; nothing t;o fear if it depends on busi- ! jness, Chinese and foreign. They will isoon-get things going again. We are all ready for business if business is possible." The Communist oceupation of Shanghai was completed this morning when People 's Liberation Army units from Woosung and south of Soochow Creek effected a junction in the Hongkew district. They are reported to have eru , counfered virtually no resistance in their" final mopping-up operations in which they rounded up several thousand surrendered Nationalists. A considerable number of Nationalists es- * caped by discarding their arms and changing their uniforms for civilian clothes. x • The Chinese Press reports said more : than 100 civilians were either killed or wounded by stray bullets in the Hongkew fighting.