CHINESE TROUBLE.

Hokitika Guardian, 21 February 1927, Page 2

CHINESE TROUBLE.

[r,Y TELESRArH —PER TRESS ASSOCIATION.]

SHANGHAI STRIKE

PEKIN, February 19

The General Labour Union at Shanghai has called a general strike to enforce a demand for the evacuation of Shanghai by both General Sun C'huan 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 front entering or working. Subsequently, the Postal Commissioner, who is an Englishman, decided 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 time being.

Three of the biggest Chinese stores in the centre of the International Settlement. employing thousands ot assistants. among whom there lias been some trouble recently, have also closed. A seamen’s strike has also started.

In the French concession the waterside workers are oil strike, and this lias caused a shortage in some districts.

BRITISH FORCES ON GUARD. SHANGHAI, February 18. The situation needs only a spark to start serious conflagration. The British 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. Labour unions are feverishly agitating for a general strike. ■Shanghai lias to lace a danger Of a threefold character, namely, the retreating troops, the advancing conquerors. and the mobs within the citv. The length of the Foreign Settlement boundaries make them difficult to guard. As to the guarding of the Foreign Settlements, a mob of fifty thousand could pour into the settlement at a hundred different points on all 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. PEKING, February 19. All tile British troops are confined to their quarters in case of eventualities. The Shanghai Korean volunteers are mobilised, although they are not concentrated. Special police have been called out. BRITISH FORCES DEMONSTRATE. PEKING. February 19. There are three route marches by Tommies and Navals, with fixed bayonets, daily through the settlement streets of Shanghai. These have had a salutary effect o.i 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 Cliiian Fang’s reverse in the province of Chekiang.

A COMPROMISE SUGGESTED. SHANGHAI, February 19. Japanese reports states that Sun Clnian 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 tho 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 lie is prepared to defend Shanghai to the last man. JAP CRUISER. TOKYO. February 18. The cruiser “Hirato ” lias been ordered to hasten south to Shanghai from Tsingtao (in Shantung). This follows on the alarming reports being received regarding the fall of Hangchow. TOKYO, February IS. Discussing the Japanese position in China, Air Shidehnra told the Diet that Japan would maintain perfect harmony with the other Powers in dealing with vnina. SHANGHAI. February 19. The Hangcliow-Slianghai railway is a scene of confusion. Only military trains are running. The local Cantonese are jubilant at the turn of events, and they are pfenning a demonstration to celebrate them, from which trouhlo may he expected.

BRITISH OPINIONS. CHINESE SITUATION. LONDON, Feb. IS. Cabinet held a further special meeting to discuss the China situation today, and members are holding themselves in readiness for a further meeting during the week end. Nevertheless, official circles do not countenance the suggestion that the frequency of meetings indicates any alarm for British ! people in Shanghai, in view of the rapid development of the military situation. It is admitted that the advance of Cantonese forces until Shanghai! falls into their hands, cannot exactly bo welcomed. It seems that bitter anti-British sentiment, thanks to Russian gold and propaganda, is stronger In Cantonese than in any other Chinese circles. At the same time it 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 the anti-foreign sentiments to get out of hand. It is pointed out as a remarkable fact that during the whole period since the evacuation of Hankow, there has not been a single case of outrage, robbery or violence of any kind against a British national anvwhero in China, hence at present while there is satisfaction that our troops aro getting to Shanghai to be in readiness for eventualities, there is not a suggestion that the present sitI nation demands the despatch 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 China is quite unlike great war battles. There are seldom serious bloody encounters. One or 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 Clients forces would not he foolish enough to enter the international settlements at Shanghai, where French. Japanese and Americans, without much publicity, are assembling forces to assist in the defence, alongside the British. Tlie report that Air O’Malley has taken up quarters upon the warship Bee at Hankow does not comply thiit them 'are .disturbances. The move was made onlv for the sake of

comfort. It is learned that new instructions sent tn Afr Lantpson are a recommendation to complete the Hankow agree-' meat, suggesting Chen leave aside larger matters like British recognition, of the Cantonese Government, till subsequent events show whether they are

entitled to such status. Tho present official idea is to concentrate on an agreement small and concrete on the Hankow problem and hope this will eadl to a settlement of larger questions later.