TROUBLE IN CHINA

Hokitika Guardian, 7 January 1927, Page 2

TROUBLE IN CHINA

Australian & N.Z. Cable Association.]

BRITISH DESTROYERS READY LONDON, January 0.

The Eighth Destroyer Flotilla, at present at Bosyth Base, is ready to depart at any moment. Its strength was reduced last year, on the ground of economy. The official view is that the Ilankow outbreak is not so serious as was at first reported. Nevertheless, every precaution is being taken.

IBRI Tl SI 1 K V ACU AT lON. SHANGHAI. January 0. A- a precautionary measure all the women ami children in Hankow. Lining and Kiukiang were evacuated last evening.

Two steamers with three hundred women and children, are now en route to Shanghai.

At Hankow all the men arebeing concentrated on what are regarded as safe points on the waterfront. There has been no disturbance in the Japanese or French concessions at Hankow, where the foreign officials and • ti e foreign controlled police continue L> function. Everything is peaceful in Shaiiiiiai. The B«d Nationalists there are endeavouring to promote a general strike immediately after the Chinese New Year, about the 10th of February. CHINESE PROMISES. SHANGHAI, January 0. A later Ilankow message reports that processions of soldiers, pickets, and students, carrying banners and yelling, passed through the British concession at Ilankow. 'I he Cenotaph which is plastered with Chinese Nationalist flags and propaganda, was used as a convenient stand, from which orations were delivered. To-night the British Concession is superficially quiet. A British wireless message from Hankow says the British Concession there is now controlled bv the Chinese authorities. There has been a lull in the disorders, but women, children and naval hospital cases have been evacuated. The British male population has concentrated oil safety points along the river front to facilitate future operations, although the C binese authorities guarantee their safety. The message states, however, that iho events do not inspire confidence and the precautions are being fully maintained.

AIORE BRITISH WARSHIPS. SHANGHAI. January 0. His Alajcstv’s ship “ A iudictivo, with seaplanes, the cruiser “Carlisle, ’ and the destroyer “ A\ ishart.” are being rushed from Hongkong to Hankow’s relief. Principal Yangtse ports. Kiukiang and Bluing, are now suffering in a manner similar to Ilankow, and the evacuation of the British women and children is occurring. Many people are proceeding lo Shanghai, and others are remaining on steamers in mid-stream, hoping tor the trouble to blow over.

EIGHT FOB SHANGHAI. SHANGHAI, January 0. At present, near Shanghai, fighting is now in progress for the possession of Shanghai, but*the results so far aro indefinite.

CHINESE JUSTICE. (■Received this day at S a.m.) SHANGHAI, Jan. G. Extraordinary judgments marked the opening sessions oi the Shanghai mixed court under Chinese control since the first of January. The new court procedure restricts foreign judges influencing decisions and they lodging protest against the decisions. AVliolesale discharges granted by the Chinese judges at the first sitting are causing tremendons dissatisfaction in the ranks of the foreign police, who are responsible for the arrest of highway robbers and others charged'with major offences who were liberated on small bail, instead of being, as hitherto, detained in custody. Smugglers of opium have been discharged with ft caution, though such offences are in direct contravention of the Chinese criminal code.