CHINESE TROUBLE.

Hokitika Guardian, 9 March 1927, Page 3

CHINESE TROUBLE.

[EY TELEGRAPH —PER PRESS ASSOCIATION, SENSATIONAL ARHF.ST OF SOVTE' ENVOYS. PEKING, March 8. A sensation was caused hy the new of tlie arrest and removal at Tsinnfu of Madame Borodin, three Soviet on voys and six Russian sailors, on tin orders of Changcohungohnng. Comnian der of the anti-Red forces. The party'! steamer was detained at Nanking on route to Hankow as the result of Hying the Soviet flag. She was hoarded and inspected hv Customs officers. Passengers when being examined refused to open their baggage, declaring they ,■ were Soviet officials As a result, the military were informed and forced the ; baggage revealing several trunks of propaganda, printed in Cliiue.se and Russian. Madame Borodin gave her name as Gro/.herg, and said she had private business at Hankow. The envoys described themselves as couriers .of the Soviet Government, engaged in diplomatic duties. Madame’s trunks revealed details of the distribution of the contents among anti-Rod troops in Kiangsu Province. The ship was seized, the Red flag hauled down and the Chinese naval (lag hoisted. A strong protest has been made by the Soviet Embassy in Peking, and the immediate release is demanded of the ship and passengers. SHANGHAI POSITION. (Received this day at 11 0 a.m.) LONDON, .March 8. The Foreign Office reports all rjuiot in China. There were no serious ineidents anywhere and if is unable fo confirm the reported reign of terror at Mingps, where it is alleged following nnti-Foroign anti-British demonstrations, a Chinese mob attempted to capture British and American missionaries and nurses.

Official circles though unable to confirm the report that Chnnglsolin was making overtures to Cantonese, with a view to the suppression of hostilities, if Ihe Cantonese abandon their Soviet advisors and show a willingness to join forces and discuss the rehabilitation of a new China does not discover the report, pointing out the chief feature of the Chinese internal hostilities is bargaining between the contending generals. Incidentally, official circles are anxious to deny the suggestion that the British, in any way are supporting Chang. It is emphasised that Britain is scrupulously neutral. Well-informed quarters point out that Chang is “one of the greatest scoundrels in China.” It, is even admitted that the Cantonese capture of Shanghai, which is now regarded as inevitable, will' in no way prejudice British interests there any more than the capture hy Chang. Despite Cantonese anti-Foreign, anti-British sentiments-, official reports received in London show Chang, after arresting and releasing Mrs I’oroden, wife of the Russian adviser to Cantonese forces, has now re-arrested her as well as her three male Jewish companions.