CHINESE TROUBLE.

Hokitika Guardian, 25 February 1927, Page 3

CHINESE TROUBLE.

[by TELEGiurn —run muss association

m. bhiaxd’s views. (Received this day at 0.30 a.m.) PAH IS, Fob. 24. M. 13 ri ii ml specie lly addressed tlio So iia to oii Foreign Affairs remind ini' China. Ho reiterated France’s intention of maintainin'.!; the strictest neutrality unless French nationals or their property was threatened. Newspapers which hitherto have entirely ignored •Chinese developments, reflect, the present anxiety. The “Oii nlois" points out the solidarity of the great Powers in China is a vital necessity. It would he hotter to defend Europe there, than to have to tight a hig I?usso-Asialic invasion later, v The f“F iga.ro” says the moment is notfifistnnt when France will have !o comflder means against those fomenting in Asia against Europe.

“Lc Matin” advocates Franco-Bri- * ti.sh co-operation in Shanghai.

CHINESE RIOT. PEKING, Feb. 24. Hoads separating the settlement and native city were ldaek this afternoon with a mass of Chinese attempting to

take refuge in the settlement at Shnng- «. li:ri, but barricades prevented them. Punjabis took up stations on the settlement border last night and prevented a mob of a hundred strong, armed with pistols and iron, bars, getting ■ .further than fiercely attacking I7ic native police station, capturing a policeman and injuring another so severely that he is not expected to live. Chinese police reinforcements captured two ringleaders and beheaded them to-day.

CHINESE STRIKE ENDS. SHANGHAI. Fel>. 2-1, The strike lias been called off. A labour union communique states the general strike lasted five days and the result of the self sacrificing efforts of fellow workers if met with considerable success. In view of continued appeals from the merchant body the general labour union has undertaken to take

steps with a view to ending the strike

for the time being. This, however, lubes not 'necessarily mean that the movement is over, because we will continue our efforts to attain our ideals.

CHINESE NEWS. LONDON, February 21. The absence of news of shelling at Shanghai is welcomed in official circles. The silence is regarded as confirming the view that the incidents will not be regarded with any alarm. Official reports of happenings are not expected unless there is something grave, vitally affecting the settlement at Shanghai. Still no Chinese papers are publishing although they are not prohibited from doing so. The conductors feel Atnder the present circumstances it is impossible to publish news of the situation which will not offend the authorities or Kuomintaiig. Chinese military authorities recently warned editors and proprietors of Chinese newspapers that they would he shot if they published Labour manifestos. Ten thousand strikers, mostly Canton mill hands, have returned, and now only fifty thousand of the original 120,(10(1 are still out. The post office position is unchanged. It is generally due firstly to lack of funds, secondly a refusal of Chinese merchants to close simps, and ■' thirdly (this applies only to the native city) to terrorism. Botli foreign settlements arc tranquil. A few of the retreating Sunehuanfang troops arrived by train from the front. Shantung troops are arriving by train from Nanking. Their destination is believed to he Suntsiang front. Every precaution is being taken to keep troops outside the settlement boundaries. All foreigners living more or less isolated outside the extended settlement limits are being brought in, in ease of eventualities, in view of the arrival of Sun’s retreating troops.

Disquieting reports have reached officials to the efFeet that Suttehuaiifang * men tire looting rice and silk shops twenty miles south-westward, and that ’ ' many soldiers were executed by order of their own leaders, in an ofiort to maintain discipline in face of the Southern advance, which effort if it continues, may become a race between Ohangtsungchnng and Nationalists for Shanghai. Three thousand Shantung troops are now here front Nanking. It is understood five thousand more will be coming daily in the next few days for the defence of Shanghai. Cliangtsungchang lias taken over the c.otnplete military control of Kiangsu.