FIGHTING IN CHINA.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1861, 22 September 1913, Page 8

FIGHTING IN CHINA.

A GRAPHIC ACCOUNT.

WRITTEN UNDER FIRE.

An interesting account of tho rebellion in China was last week received in Sydney by the hon. secretary of tho British Immigration League (Mr.' Herbert E. . Easton), and tho writer suggests that if tilings become too uncomfortable for Europeans there may be an exoduß, which will result in Australia gaining a number of settlers of a desirable type. "As things are going out here," says tho writer of tho letter, which is dated .Shanghai, August 3, "it would seem that a good many white peoplo would prefer to bo quietly settled down in Australia, and I am pleased to hear of the efforts of the Immigration League in endeavouring to promoto agricultural settlement.

"Thero has been some fierce fighting around Shanghai, and closo to where-1 am liVjing, the rebels attacking the arsenal, which was held by the Government soldiers, Tho arsenal was supported by two Chinese cruisers in tile river, which fired over tho arsenal into the rebels beyond, but thero are plentiful rumours about to tho effect that the two Chineso Government cruisers would not open fire until they had been subsidised to the extent of £50,000 tads (about £6500). The arsenal is,. of course, outside tho settlement, but many shells have come inside, doing damage to houses, but only ono foreigner so far has been killed. Tho local volunteers, together with bluejackets and marines from the warships in port, havo been defending and policing the foreign set-, tlemont. Two nights ago I was out in the rebel firing line, and one night at the arsenal, and I think I was almost tlie only foreigner who was admitted into tho arsenal at that timo. Tho rebels aro not too well organised, and, although not lacking in pluck, are do-, ficicnt iu discipline. '■ "It would.be well if those havingthe best interests of Australia's young army at heart were here on the spot to seo how much in action depends on the discipline and tho control of firo. The rebels, are, as far as I can gather,- supplied with Mauser rifles of 1890 pattern, and they have amongst thom field guns, some dating as far' back as 1879. Amongst their officers, .However, aro verv officient ones from other armies, and there is no disguising tho fact that they have been plentifully supplied with money, arms, and ammunition. The attack on the arsenal was badly executed, and I saw several men killed; bv neglecting orders to take cover, of which thero was tho finost- imaginable in the shape of graves and bamboo groves, otc. The_ rebels lost between 800 and 900 men in the action of attacking tho arsenal. "I am living towards the mouth of the rivor (Whangpoo) and tho forts at the mouth aro now held by the rebels. They havo (5, 8, and 9.2in'. so that they will give, I think, a fairly good accoiint of themselves. Two mornings ago tho Government warships outside commenced shelling til© forts at 4 a.m., but tho shooting was not good, owing to tho very choppy sea. As long as theso ships outsido do. tho attacking only my house is safe,, but if, and whon the ships from Shanghai como down to bombard the forts from tho Whangpoo, my house will be in tho direct lino of firo, and is sure to catch the return fire of tho forts.

"All the other foreigners in this district liavo cleared out, having been warned by.their Consuls that thoy wore in danger, but I have determined to stay on, as I do not like the idea of clearing out and deserting my property on tlio first sign of danger. As I sit hero on my verandah writing this lotter, the booming of big guns bombarding tlio forts is incessant, and about a mile and a half away. They are fighting a land battle, and small shells and stray bullets como pretty near sometimes; several liavo been close over the house, and one stray bullet has lodged itself ill my wall. "If tlio worst comes to the worst, and the house goes down, and I am left, 1 shall bo writing to your lcaguo with a view of bringing myself and my capital over t-o Australia for inveetmont."