SHANGHAI.

Grey River Argus, 21 February 1927, Page 5

SHANGHAI.

IN A FERMENT GENERAL STRIKE. JO FORCE FOREIGNERS TO QUIT. i (Reed. Feb. 20 at 5.5 p.m.) PEKING, Feb. 19. Tin- Genviul Labour Union at Shanghai has called a general strike to enforce a demand for the evacuation of Shanghai by both General Sun Chuan Fang’s troops and the British troops. All the employees at the post office have struck, and also the tramwaymen and the busmen in the French concession, and the cotton workers in all the British mills, and also in some of the Japanese mills. The strike movement is developing. At present the strikers number forty thousand. A postmen’s strike picket, with staves, lined the entrance to the General Post Office and attempted to prevent the indoor staff from entering or working. Subsequently, the Postal Commissioner, who is an Englishman, de< ided to close the Post Office till Monday, in order to prevent immediate trouble, and confusion. Later in the day, the police took the staves from the strikers. Four hundred mill strikers entered the British Cigarette Company’s factory, in the international settlement, which employs one thousand workers, and attempted to intimidate the latter into striking. As a precautionary measure the management thought it wise to close down the factory for the tim ■ being. Three of the biggest Chinese stores in the centre of the International Settle inent, employing thousands of assistants, among whom there has been some trouble recently, have also closed. A seamen’s strike has also started. In the French concession the water workers are on strike, and this has caused a shortage in some districts.

Only Needs a Spark!

POSITION AT SHANGHAI. BRITISH FORCES ON GUARD. (Received February 20 at 5.5 p.m.) SHANGHAI, February 18. The situation only needs a spark to start serious conflagration. The Brit ish troops have arrived at Shanghai in the nick of time, and are considered sufficient for any situation that may arise. Secret meetings of the pro Canton groups are held daily. v Labour unions are feverishly agitatfor a general strike. A Shanghai has to face a danger of v Wjia -‘fold character, namely, the re--1 Mating troops, the advancing conqu| s, and the mobs within Hie city. f he length of the Foreign Settlement boundaries make them difficult to guard. As to the guarding of the Foreign Settlements, a mob of fifty thou sand could pour into the settlement at a hundred different points on al sides. The British forces are now stationed at the most important public utilities, in specially-erected huts. Seaplanes from the British warships daily reconnoitre the Chinese military lines. FOREIGN FORCES. ON THE QUI VIVE. PEKING, February 19. A.ll the British troops are confined t< their quarters in case of eventualiti •> The Shanghai Korean volunteers are mobilised, although they are not concentiated. Special police have been cr-lb d out BRITISH FORCES DEMONSTRATE ROUTE MARCHES IN SHANGHAI. PEKING, Feb. 19. There are three route marches by Tommies and Navals, with fixed bayou ets, daily through the settlement streets of Shanghai. These have had a salutary effect on the natives. It is estimated that seventy per cent of the Britons in China are in Shanghai. The protection of the British army and navy is synchronising with General Sun Chuan Fang’s revere * in the provim-e of Chekiang.

Northern Defeat.

AFTER LOOTING CITY. SHANGHAI, Feb. 18. The retreat of a large portion of Sun Chuan Fang’s army to Kiangsu continues. The railway line is completely blocked and there is still no telegraphic communication with Hangchow, so it is impossible to confirm or deny the Nationalist'statements here, to the effect tttat the city was looted and partially burned by the Northerners before they left. Ningpo has been captured by the Southerners. Sun’s troops from that town, who were evacuated by sea, have arrived at Shanghai. Four thousand of the retreating Northern forces from Hangchow have arrived at Shanghai, and at present are at the main railway station, which is on the border of the International set tlenient; also streams of refugees are arriving from several miles north-east ward of Hangchow, within which area it is estimated there must still be thirty thousand of Sun’s troops. desertincFsoldiers. RUSH TO'SHANGHAI. SHANGHAI. Feb. 18. Thousands of refugees are pouring in from the war-stricken areas, including hundreds of deserting soldiers. The anti-Red army is now expected to break up, and to flee to Shanghai momentarily. Its morale has been struck vitally by the Kuomintang prop agenda. The Shanghai authorities are taking every precaution to prevent their entry into the Foreign Settlement. There an

pickets on the boundaries who are dislarming the soldiers on entering. 1 he anti-Red debacle is not surprising. (i eneral Sun Chuan Fang’s army consists of a rabble, enlisting for the purpose of loot.

General Sun Chuan Fang is now establishing his defences fifty miles from Shanghai, hoping to check the Reds. THE NORTHERN RETREAT. LATEST REPORT. PEKING, February 19. The latest reports from the jirovin-.e ot Chekiang states that the northern!-? ;ue retreating upon Sun Chiang. They ave looting eu route. General Sun Chuan Fang has sent many appeals to Chung Sun (.’hang, ini ploring his assistance, but so far there has been no response. A COMPROMISE SUGGESTED. SHANGHAI, Feb. 19. Japanese reports states that Sun < huan Fang is prepared to compromise with the Reds in regard to Shanghai in order to avoid fighting. Several high officials have fled to Japan. As a result of the developments, others are. taking refuge with Chinese. The Northern Defence Commissioners, in a manifesto, deny that Sun Chuan Fang has been beaten, and state that he is prepared to defend Shanghai to the last man.

Jap Cruiser.

HURRIES TO SHANGHAI. IUKYO, Feb. 18. The cruiser “Iliruto” has been ordered to hasten south to Shanghai from Tsingtao (in Shantung). This follows on the alarming reports being received regarding the fall of Hangchow. JAPAN TO ACT WITH OTHER POWERS. TOKYO, Feb. 18. Discussing the Japanese position in China, Mr Shidehara told* the Diet that Japan would maintain perfect liarmonv with the other Powers in dealing with China. HANGCHOW~SITUATION. SHANGHAI., February 19. The Hangchow Shanghai railway is a scene of confusion. Only military trains are running. The local Canton- • sc are jubilant at the turn of events, and they are planning a demonstration to celebrate them a from which trouble may’ be expected.

LONDON OPINIONS. NO FEARS OF* SHANGHAI FIGHT ING. LONDON, Feb. 18. It is admitted that the advance of Cantonese forces until Shanghai falls into their hands cannot exactly-»be welcomed. It seems that the bitter antiBritish sentiment, thanks to Russian gold and propaganda, is stronger in Cantonese than in any other Chinese circles. At the same time is is recognised that it would-be in accord, neither with Chen’s past conduct nor with his interest in not antagonising other foreign Powers, to allow anti-foreign sentiments to get out of hand. It is pointed out as a remarkable -fa<4 that during the whole period since the evacuation of Hankow, there has not been a single case of outrage, robbery or violence of anv kind against a British national anywhere in China. Hence, at present, while there is satisfaction that oui troops are nearing Shanghai, to be in readiness for eventualities, there is no suggestion that the present situation demands dispatch of further forces. Experience of Chinese civil wars of the past few years has shown that cities have often fallen and been retaken without harming or even seriously’ inconveniencing foreign residents. Fighting in Chifia is quite unlike the Great War battles. There are seldom serious bloody encounters. One or the other force generally crumples up after a half-hearted sort of scrap. For these reasons, well-informed people are not alarmed. They are convinced that Chen’s forces would not be foolish enough to enter international settlements at Shanghai, where the French, Japanese and Americans, without much publicity, are assembling forces to assist, in defence alongside the British. The report that Mr O’Malley has taken up quarters upon the warship Bee, at Hankow, does not imply’ that there are disturbances. The move was made only’ for the sake of comfort.

Hankow Agreement.

AGAIN REACHED. PEKING, February 19. Mr. Smallwood, the »MTy Telegraph's Peking correspondent, telegraphing on Friday night, says: “There is good reason to believe that a Hankow agreement is again ready for signature, the previous differenes having been adjusted. BRITISH CABINET. SENDS INSTRUCTIONS. ON HANKOW QUESTION. LONDON, Fob. 18. Cabinet, has sent Sir Miles Lampson instructions for communication to Mr O’Malley, laying down the lines on which the negotiations with Chen can be continued. It is learned that new instructions sent to Sir M. Lampson are a recommendation to complete the Hankow agreement, ami suggesting that Chen leave aside larger matters like the Brit-

ish recognition of Cantonese Government till subsequent events show whether they are entitled to such status. The present official idea is to concentrate on an agreement, small and concrete, on the Hankow problem, and hope that this vill lead to a settlement of the larger questions later.

It is pointed out that. Sir Austen

uamberlain announced last week his readiness to authorise the signing of an agreement. It is therefore hoped that, since Chen was also agreeable to sign, all obstacles would be eliminated. It is hoped that if an agreement is signed, it. may he the beginning of a. general set tlemen I.

Cabinet held a further special meet ing to discuss the China situation to-

day, and "members are holding themselves in readiness for further meetings during the week-end. Nevertheless official circles do not countenance the suggestion that the frequency of meetings indicates any alarm in view of the rapid development of the military situation.