CHINESE TROUBLE.

Hokitika Guardian, 21 March 1927, Page 3

CHINESE TROUBLE.

fl'.Y TELEGRAPH —PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.] SHANGHAI FALLING. (Received this day at S a.in.) SHANGHAI, March 20. Although great Labour unrest continues there is no general response to the strike call. The total strikers aL pi resent are twenty-two thousand. A big exodus is proceeding in view of the near approach of the Southerners, who inlay now 'be said to lie at the gate of Shanghai. The Northerners are making no resistance anywhere. They have evacuated the arsenal two miles from the French concession boundary. It is rumoured that General Pishouchen, Commander of Shantung forces at Shanghai has gone over to the Southerneis. Barbed wired barriers of the international settlement are still open. Thousands of armed and unarmed soldiers are swarming outside the foreign settlements. Precautions are taken to keep them out. SHANGHAI. March 20. Latest indications show there will bo no lighting close to Shanghai. Pishouchen to-day sent representatives to General Hoyiiigching, Southern Commander, to discuss a truce to avoid lighting in the Shanghai area. This move together with the fact tliat Shangha ingers made no attempt to hold their-Southern lines defending Shanghai, tends to confirm the belief that an arrangement was made between Sbiangkiasbek a nib Charigtsungchang regarding Shanghai. The British line is strongly held, with all available forces. Seven thousand retreating Shanghungers arrived outside the French concession position to-night.

Briefly the Southerners can occupy Shanghai and the foreign settlement as soon as they care to ,do v so.