TROOPS IN REVOLT

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 139, 9 December 1929, Page 11

TROOPS IN REVOLT

SITUATION CRITICAL

NANKING'S DIFFICULTIES

SHANGHAI, 7th December. Native districts surrounding Shanghai are in a turmoil owing to the number of local troops joining the revolt, which has now reached nationwide proportions. There has been sever© fighting between the rebels and tho Government forces at Nantao, adjoining the French concession. Martial law has been declared. Native residents are panic-stricken, many streaming into the foreign areas, following1 heavy machme-gun firing in the vicinity of Lunghwa arsenal, ou tho outskirts of the city.

The trouble commenced when Government troops attempted to disarm the Fourth Brigade, which was suspected of disloyalty. Fighting followed, during which rebels who attempted to seize the arsenal were repulsed by machine-guns, tho shooting throwing the city into a panic. Tho full extent of the trouble is unknown, owing to the confusion in the native districts, but undoubtedly it is serious.

Traffic on tho Shanghai-Nanking railway is suspended to-day, owing to the revolt of troops. The Wusih railway has been cut ana the telegraph is not operating. Full details are not known. To-night it is impossible to communicate with Nanking. The British cruiser Suffolk has been ordered to proceed to Nanking at daylight to protect nationals. Tho American cruiser Tulsa also is proceeding to the eanital.