TROOPS ARRIVE

Gisborne Times, Volume LXV, Issue 10318, 29 January 1927, Page 7

TROOPS ARRIVE

EXCITEMENT IN SHANGHAI. FOUR HUNDRED PUN JABS ARRIVE FROM HONGKONG. ENTHUSIASTIC”'WELCOME. ‘ BRITISH PLANS FOR DEFENCE of- settlement: FORCES LANDING WITHIN 50 DAYS TOTAL 20,000. (United Press Assn.—Copyright.) SHANGHAI, Jan. 27. There were stirring scenes on the arrival of the first British protection troops of 400 Punjabs from Hongkong, recalling the days of the British army’s arrival during the Boxer rebellion, which was the last occasion when British troops landed in China. .

Thousands of British people and other nationals and tens of thousands of Chinese lined the s.treets, the latter being awed by the former’s cheering, drowning the.,. Punjabs’ brass and bagpipe bands. ■ All are bivouacked in the grandstand joi the racecourse, in the heart of tlio international settlement. The situation is quiet.

The proposed British plans for the defence of Shanghai are understood to include the seizure of all strategic points outside the international settlement, not confining * the operation to the settlement itself, considering that the defence of this is unfeasible should the Cantonese occupy Shanghai. •It is estimated that within 50 days 20,000 British forces will he in Shanghai—9ooo regulars, 10,000 naval ratings and 1000 marines. The occupation of the Chinese territory outside the foreign settlement would be virtually an act of war and a breach of the treaties, demonstrating Britain’s determination and regard for the seriousness of the situation.—A. and N.Z.C.A.

CHINESE PRIESTS FORM UNION. INCREASE IN PRAYER FEES DEMANDED. SHANGHAI, Jan. 27.' A trade union of Chinese monks, nuns and priests has been formed at Hankow, demanding union rates for offering prayers. Two thousand paraded the streets with banners, incense, and musicians, with a view to notifying the public of the increase in prayer rates. —A. and N.Z. C.A. ACTIVITY AMONG SOVIET GENERAL STAFF. CAVALRY MOVING NEAR PEKIN. WARSAW, Jan. 27. A message from Moscow- has been published to the effect that great activity is being manifested by the Soviet general staff. Several regiments of cavalry are standing by and some Siberian garrisons are already moving to Kalgan, which is 110 miles from Pekin. It is estimated 50,000 Soviet troops are concentrated on the Manchurian frontier. The Governments at Canton and Moscow are in secret communication.—A. and N.Z. C.A. RAMSAY MACDONALD’S ATTITUDE CRITICISED. IS HE YIELDING TO EXTREMISTS ? LONDON, Jan. 27. Considerable attention is £eing devoted to Mr Ramsay Macdonald's attitude towards the" Chinese situation. Apart from the reports of the interview with Sir Austen Chamberlain. Mr Macdonald in earlier press articles declared that the influences behind the Chinese movements were by no means in the open. Critics observe that the present, mood is another example of his yielding to extremist pressure. —-A. and N.Z.C.A.

BRITAIN’S PROPOSALS TO CHEN NO REPLY EXPECTED FOR, FEW DAYS IMPARTIAL ATTITUDE OF FOREIGN OFFICE (Received Jan. 2S, 8.50 p.m.) LONDON. .Jam 28. Though the Foreign Office ha.s net received any reply from Chen to Britain’s definite proposals, it does not expect any for a few days. Official aides still insist there is every ground for hope that- the trouble may he settled by negotiations which are being continued without a hitch n ilh the Cantonese. The Australian Press Association learns that the Foreign Office is so anxious not to give offence to any Chinese party, or appear to be backing anv particular party as the probable future effective Government of China, that the Northern Govt, is receiving copies of everything going to Chen. The Daily Telegraph s diplomatic correspondent says British official circles received Mr Kellogg’s statements with undisguised satisfaction. It is considered that the conclusions arrived at separately are we’l nigh identical in scope and purpose.—A. and N.Z.C.A. WHY TROOPS ARE SENT BELT AIN TAKES -ALL PRECAUTIONS NO REPETITION OF KHARTOUM AFFAIR LONDON. Jan. 28. Sir A. Steele-Mait!ana, speaking at Shrewsbury, was questioned > regarding China and replied: “It might happen that a month hence 16,000 of our countrymen would be in danger of their lives. Then if no precautions bad been taken, the country ivovld rise up against the Government and sav 4 You had warning; now it is too late. The Government was not £.oing to run the same '-isles as in the cas* of Gordon at Khartoum. - A and N.Z.C.A.

HEROIC WORK BY MARINES GROSSLY INSULTED. BY CHIN ESE BUT WOULD NOT SHOOT BRISBANE Jan. 28. A passenger by the Taiping, at Cairns, states' that half naked Chineso would throw themselves against the marines, and dared the marines to shoot-. The Chinese would spit in. the marines’ faces, yet ihc Jailer stood without firing a shot. He says the evacuation of Hankow unis carried out without a;s> much danger as might have been. If the marines had not performed! their heroic work and refea-ned from filing, there would have been a great massacre.—UP.A. SOUTH~AFRICAN LABOR SUPPORTS CHINESE. CAPETOWN, Jan. 27. The National Executive Council of the South African Trade Union Congress passed a resolution of entire sympathy with the Chinese people in their struggle to throw off the yoke of foreign exploitation and condemning the action of those Governments who ■ have embarked on a policy ot military intervention with a view to perpetuating the injustices under which the Chinese are suffering.— A. arid N.Z.C.A.