CHINESE TURMOIL

Hokitika Guardian, 17 June 1925, Page 3

CHINESE TURMOIL

[Australia it N.Z. Cable Association.]

British cock y. LONDON. June Jo. In the House of Commons, replying to a suggestion that the trouble at .Shanghai was due to the low wages and to the employment of children. Sir A. 31. Samuel, lor the Foreign Office, (emphasised that the British Government had to improve the conditions of labour within the international settlement at Shanghai. It had, however, no control outside. The mob at Shanghai was very large and was of murderous intent. Had they succeeded iri seizing arms at the police station, there would have been undoubtedly more bloodshed. The British policy in connection with China was adopted in concert with the other Powers interested, and no points of difference had arisen. The casualties at Shanghai numbered 21 Chinese killed and 65 wounded. One American had been wounded. The British Consul at Hankow had reported that the firing done there was inevitable. Had the Chinese authorities, he said, cooperated with the Defence Force, the deplorable loss of life would have been avoided. The disturbances at Shanghai and Hankow were symptoms of deep and widespread unrest. This was exploited by interested parties to stir lip feeling against the Powers with the largest interests in China, wlm therefore were deeply concerned to <m operato with China, to secure progress and reform. The surest remedy for the anti-foreign feeling in China would lie in an attempt by the Treaty Power# to carry out the decisions of the "Washington Conference in regard to co-operation between the Powers and China in measures Itcnciicial to China. The British (iovernnient was considering the best means of overcoming Urn difficulties, arising largely from the absence of effective, Government in China. He trusted the forlhcomjiiig conference on internal traffic in China would afford an opportunity of removing such obstacles and dissipating the present atmosphere of distrust, thus inaugurating an era cf fruitful co-operation 1k?tween China and the Powers.

Replying to Mr .MacDonald, Mr Baldwin gave an assurance that the Government was eo-opernting with the Powers in taking every step possible to nreverlt the disturbances becoming a really big international trouble in the Far Fast. There was every reason to liliove the Powers and the Chinese Government's Commission of Inquiry at Shanghai would co-operate most lieartilv.

POSITION AT CANTON. /.Received this day at 8 a.m.) PEKIN, June 1(5. Canton messages state that practically all mercenaries have now been disarmed, many enrolling in the Government army. They will be used as a labour corps. The railwayman resumed work on Alondnv. A MKT BACK. PKKIN, June 17. The growing calm at Shanghai was tragically set back by the murder and wounding of a I Sri tun, William MacKenzie, of the Municipal Department. He took Aliss Duncan in a motor car outside the settlement limits and seven Chinese, dressed as Coolies, stopped .MncKcnzic, wlm got out and asked wluit the Chinese wanted. Ihe latter turned on a flashlight anil lired their revolvers, missing MacKenzic. who rushed hack and started the car under a fusihule, AlacKonzie was bit and fell dying, but Miss Duncan, though wounded, in both arms, drove off, endeavouring to bold up her dying companion. Mho bad proceeded one thousand yards when she mistakenly entered a new road which is being constructed. She ran straight inlo a sis. fool, ditch. Miss Duncan «erentnocl, hut failed to attract attention. She left the derelict car, ran to a bouse and coinmuniratecl with the

police. Aliss Duncan’s wounds were not

serious. Alat-Kett/.io died in a few seconds. NAVAL PROTECTION. (Hecmvod this day at 10 25 n.tn.i PEKIN, June 1(5. The British Consul at Switow telegraphed that a general strike lias begun mid naval protection is required. Consequently, the warship IHueball proceeded to Sivirtow. The warslnp Hawkins arrived at Nanking and lauded marines to protect the cold storage. Killing is undisturbed and luukinng quiet. The destroyer Stewart landed American marines to co-operate in the defence of the concession. Unrest is reported from Foot-how and Antov. JAPANESE REPORTS. PEKIN, June 1(5. Japanese reports from .Mukden slate precautionary measures are keeping down imti-foreignisiu. Schools controlled bv Europeans and Japanese remain shut. Chinese schools are carrying on under the supervision of selected Chinese police from Naukow. Governor Nilalt ordered the arrest of the Communist leader and lour student leaders from Pekin. The chief executive called an urgent meeting ot councillors at which it was decided to prohibit students meetings in the capital. Four regiments of Fnegyuhsiang troops headed yesterday’s demonstration in which students, boy scouts, labourers and uniformed policemen participated.

DAX GKR 1X C R EASING. PEKIN, June 16

The British Consul-General vigorously protested in connection with the murder of AfaeKeuz.ie.

In view of rumours of possible antiforeign riots, barricades and wire entanglements round the Legations have boon strengthened. Following the Shanghai riots, comments by Japanese.officials and press revealed an inclination to throw the blame for the disturbances on British officers employed by the Shanghai municipality. However, the killing of Japanese and the destruction of Japanese property showed that the shooting did not side track Chinese agitators from the original plan ot demonstration against the Japanese, and lately Japanese officials and the press are showing a more generous attitude.