CHINESE TROUBLE.

Hokitika Guardian, 9 March 1927, Page 2

CHINESE TROUBLE.

[by TELEGRAPH —PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.] CHINESE POSITION. LONDON, March 7. Diplomalitiilly everything is quite uneventful at Shanghai. Reports received by the Foreign Office do not clear up the varying accounts of the military situation published in the press. For instance there is no continuation of the report that Cantonese captured Soochow which would cut off Changtsimgclii.ing's communications with Shanghai. All the evidence tends to show, however, that the Cantonese are very likely shortly to gain control of Shanghai by surrounding it. The most welcome factor from a Britisl viewpoint is the important section ot Cantonese led by General Chiangkjishek weakening in hostility towards foreigners, and only openly attacking Soviet’s propaganda on the ground that Communism would mean the economic downfall of China and ruin of Hie national cause, all of which confirms the official view that with patience, Russian intieunee on Cantonese will soon pass. -Meanwhile military movements have not caused alarm for the Shanghai settlement. No organised attack on it by Cantonese is feared. Shanghai's greatest troubles are caused by repeated labour disputes. .ill politically inspired. To-day an unfortunate fracas was reported from Jehang where Chinese demanded the withdrawal of a British gunboat, when British naval men were engaged in shifting baggage from tlie America to a British steamer, a Chinese mob attacked them and one or two naval men and ; i few Chinese were injured in the subsequent scrapping but. there was no shooting.

QUESTIONS IN COMMONS. LONDON, March .7. In the House of Commons, Air Treveiyn (Lalwur) inquired if Britain intended to refuse to allow the Cantonese troops to enter Shanghai if they guaranteed safety of foreigners ? Air G. Loeker-Liuiipsoii replied: “I cannot attempt to answer hypothetical questions of this kind.” Air A fos ley (Labour) asked: “Have not the other participants lioon allowed to enter Shanghai ?’’ Air Locker Lampson replied: “No armed forces have been allowed to enter Shanghai. The whole point of the British forces being in Shanghai is to prevent the entry of anv armed Chinese forces.” He added that no bodies of Chinese troops had entered the Foreign, concession or within the British lines, except deserters or stragglers, who had been disarmed. FALL OF SHANGHAI EXPECTED. PEKING. .March 8. Although the capture by the Cantonese of tho city of Shanghai appears to ho a, prolonged operation, it is actually proceeding ffitpidly from the viewpoint of Chinese warfare. The outstanding feature of the Cantonese Unties, since they launched against the north, their expedition in July last has been their unchecked advance. Within six months they have swept the South of Chinki. Despite their set-back and casualties a fortnight ago. fifty miles beyond Hangchow, which is regarded as the gateway to Shanghai, the Cantonese are now following up a tremendous drive, and they are within shellfire of the citv of Shanghai.

Diplomacy, and not military incompeteucy, is responsible for the Cantonese halting on the outskirts of Shanghai and staging a lk’nk attack, instead of driving direct and precipitating an encounter within earshot of Shanghai.

By driving to the north-east, and thus cutting off tlie Sliingtiingite army from their Nanking base, the Cantonese achieve the same object, and at the same time avoid the international complications that would arise from possible shells falling into Shanghai. Practically the entire province of Kiangsu, save the lower lip of the Yangtze river’s mouth, is now controlled bv the Cantonese.

General Calcns is directing the Cantonese offensive. He aims at compelling tho Shnngtungite forces to evacuate Shanghai without any fighting, by threatening thei:- communications. Two armoured train loads ot “White” Russians have entered Shanghai to assist in its defence. Si IAXCH A 1 LABOURITES’ CAAIPA.IGN. PICKING. Alarcli 8. Shanghai is now engulfed in la flood of pro-Caiitoii propaganda, this setting the stage for the entry of the Cantonese. The most significant precaution in Shanghai is the landing of a Ihrge Japanese force to protect tlie Japanese mills there. Individual assassinations of Chinese strike-breakers have been instigj.ted by the General Labour Union, who are hiring paid killers. Dozens of loyalists have lieen slain during the last fortnight, thereby removing the obstacles to a. strike that is planned to synchronise with the uipture of Shanghai. SHANGHAI STRIKE EXPECTED. LONDON, Alarcli 7. The “Times” Shanghai correspondent says: The Labour Unions and kindred “Reds” are employing murder and terrorism to pave the way for the next general strike, commencing when the Nationalist headquarters consider the moment favourable for a paralysing change of defence.

Two men were inveigled from a house and shot dead. A foreman of the Shanghai Dock Onnpaiiy and four other men were shot at and wounded, also the foreman of a cotton mill. A threatening letter sent to the Woosung railway workshops caused the snff of seven hundred to strike. THE BRITISH FORCES. PEKING, March 8.

I n anticipation of the Cantonese final drive, the departure of the Suffolk Battalion for Hongkong lias been delayed. The Coldstream Guards have sailed for Shanghai. Eight armoured cars have arrived there.

AVAR FRONT POSITION. SHANGHAI, March 8. Soot-how and Sunkiang fronts continue quiet due to heavy rain converting the country into a quagmire. The northerners have concentrated troops at Soot-how. Yesterday’s labour meeting discussed a proposal for arming workers, with a view to attacking the police stations.