CHINESE TROUBLE

Hokitika Guardian, 6 January 1927, Page 3

CHINESE TROUBLE

[Australia & N.Z. Cable Association,

HANKOW REPOUT. SHANGHAI, Jan. 5. According to tlio reports receive* locally, all women and children ii

Hankow have been instructed to emi bark preparatory to leaving the port, f Local British authorities hitherto have not confirmed the report. A SERIOUS POSITION. (Received this day at 10.15 a.in.) SHANGHAI. Jan. 5. Hankow disturbances were due to the smallness of British forces available tor tlio present naval strength, consisting of oi/A 250 men. Admiral Cameron, -~s commanding, reports that unless permission is granted to fire, he is unablo to cope with the* situation. fyipnclair, Commander-id-Chief at Hong Kong consequently, wired into fire if necessary, without jrc-.gard for the consequence!*. Low water prevents the larger warships proceeding to llankow which is completely in tlie hands of the Chinese, who occupy tlio principal administrative buildings. They have driven

British residents from the concession fund closed the foreign stores. Looting may be expected unless the irfllitary intervene. Cameron states the mob was in a mood for the massacre of civilians. Had the marines opened fire they IWutkl have been able to handle the situation, if allowed to use machine guns. The co-operation of Chinese military is not expected. On the contrary it is believed they are fostering the agitation in order to secure control of tlio concessions, which is predicted. Hankow events arc expected to have a reprecussian in the whole Ynngtsze Valley. Hankow Britishers arc at present taking refuge in other foreign concessions, hut tlio civilian evacuation is likely. K'uikinng is already being evacuated by women and children in expectation of similar incidents. The situation is fraught with tlio gravest peril to foreigners residing at the river ports and cities. The Hankow incident requires drastic foreign steps, otherwise Shanghai will fare likewise when the Cantonese arrive, which is inevitable. Owing to seriousness of events in China, McMurrav (United States Minister in China) lias been recalled to Washington for a Conference. Karakhan (Soviet Ambassador in Peking) is leaving the capital to establish headquarters at Wuchang, the Southerners’ new administrative centre. "The British community here is in extreme danger,” cables Sir P. Phillips from Hankow to the “ Daily Mail.” Safety solely depends on the Chinese military which has taken no measures to check fanaticism. The British naval force was ready to land when the Oiflutonese commissioner of Foreign Affairs sent a message declaring if a single shot were fired, the Chinese troops, which were undependable, would attack the concession. Native police to-day refused duty. Labour pickets arc mow patrolling the streets. The Chinese stoned the marines embarking. A Chinese guard escorted Loire, Consul-General, to the Consulate. A mass meeting of workers de- , manded that Cantonese Government give Goffe seventy-two hours to .apologise and disarm volunteers and police guilty of wounding or killing Chinese, otherwise n general strike WiTPhe proclaimed and the concession blockaded.

RENOWN’S .ARMAMENT,

[“Sydney Sun” Cables.]

'Jr LONDON, January 5. is stilted that H. Al. S. Renown carries full ammunition and war stores, and could be diverted to China. vWAII POSSIBILITIES. (■Received this day *fc 12.25 p.m.) ■■ y LONDON. Jan. 5. j H.AI.S. Renown is sr> equipped that she could drop the Yorks’ suite overboard at any moment, close the hatches and start fighting. It is pointed out that if the China situation i# .sufficiently- serious when the Renown is j ill the Pacific, the Yorks could he transferred and the Renown hasten to Chinese waters. Tho machinery has been well tested sinco reconditioning by service manoeuvres with the Atlantic fleet.