CHINESE TROUBLE

Hokitika Guardian, 11 January 1927, Page 3

CHINESE TROUBLE

[Australia & N.Z. Cable Association

FURTHER, ASSAULTS

SHANGHAI, Jan. 10. Stories of missionary refugees I'roi

Kuikang, show British landing parties had to face a similar position as at f Hankow for two hours, attempting to prevent the mob destroying the barbed wire barricades. They stood all kinds of insults, the crowds pelting them with brickbats. Three ' were slightly injured.

TO DEFEND SHANGHAI. (Received this day at 0.30 a.m.) SHANGHAI. Jan. 10. Unprecedented measures have been taken bv Shanghai authorities to prevent a repetition here of Hankow events. Volunteers and special police have been called out, who combed the international settlements, searching individuals and Chinese houses for weapons and inflammatory literature. The Municipal Council has issued a proclamation warning agitators that it is prepared toi resist outbreaks by every possible moans. French Concession authorities are cooperating and instructions have been received from the Home Government to defend the settlement by force if necessary. It is reported that a large Japanese naval force is anchored fourteen miles $ from Shanghai, ready for any emergency. It is- also reported that the American, Admiral Williams, en route ■"it.li portion of the Asiatic fleet from Manila, has l>ocn instructed to use force if necessary to defend American interests. Consequently little fear is entertained for the safety of Shanghai,

POSITION AT HANKOW. (Received this day at 10.15 a.m.) SHANGHAI. Jin. 10. _ l’uder the Regime Council and provisional administration, things arc now quiet at the British concession at Hankow, but a feeling of expectancy > ns rabidly anti-British sentiment still ’ sw'ays the native city. A similar feeling is reported to prevail at Wuchang, Icliang and Shasi where anti-British demonstrations were held. The trade of Hankow remains almost at ,:i standstill. Tho authorities removed all offending posters. The local newspaper expresses the popular view of the position that tho Nationalists did right in taking black tho British concession, seeing tho British authorities wore incompetent to protect British subjects.

SHANGHAI POSITION. {Received this day at 11.0 a.m.) SHANGHAI, January 10. "In view of the anxiety of foreigners in Shanghai as to whether in the event jtif attack, tho international settlement should ho defended, the Municipal Council of International Settlement has issued a statement in which it says the Council takes no official interest in party politics, and has prohibited political meetings, demonstrations, speeches or political propaganda of any description within the settlement. The Council will continue to co-operate as heretofore with whatever Chinese Administrator controls the territory adjoining the boundaries under its own jurisdiction and will direct all its energies and resources towards maintaining order, > and ensuring the safety of life and property within the area under its control. It will vigorously suppress all forms of violence and disorder and will not hesitate to use all the means at its disposal.

The situation in the interior or south-western China is steadily becomfim g worse. In addition to tho British, many Americans arc leaving the inter- • ior towns. All American women and children are evacuating Icliang. Antiforcign disturbances occurred in Chungking. Cantonese soldiers and mobs desecrated the foreign cemetery, smashing ami overturning the tombstones.