CHINESE TROUBLE.

Hokitika Guardian, 22 March 1927, Page 3

CHINESE TROUBLE.

] [ny TELEGRAPH PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.] DOWNING STREET VIEWS. (Received this day at 11.0 a.m.) i LONDON, March 21. i “The fall of Shanghai” gives west- _ enters altogether a false impression of I the situation, declared an official spokesman of Downing Street. There was no capture of the city after a ’ siege and no serious lighting, therelorc - the best western-simile Lo describe the - poition is to say that Cantonese i<i!- , lowing general election, were chosen by , a large majority to control Shanghai. Official circles do nol anticipate, on ' any largce scale, a clash between Cantonese forces or Northerners and troops defending the international settlement or the French concession. The occupation of the city by Cantonese which Rid long been expected, is expected to he a peaceful affair, apart from some rioting and possibly isolated lootings, hut Cantonese recognise their claims to control Shanghai and ultimately a large part in the name ol Nationalists as well as their need lor revenue from taxation Irom the wealthy business community ol Shanghai., would he seriously prejudiced il they did not prevent bloodshed. Cantonese commanders’have already conferred with commander of the international forces at Shanghai and sought a detailed cxplaff ition of the locations of British. French. Italian and Japanese forces, in order to make every endeavour to prevent trouble. Well informed circles here adhere to the view held at the same time that Cantonese occupation of Shanghai apart Iron; some ebullition ol feeling inseparable from the transition period, will ultimately he of advantage to British inforests and facilitate the establishment of a new lasting regime under which commerce can proceed unhampered. GUARDING SHANGHAI. SHANGHAI. March 22. The Durhanis are guarding Mareham Road bridge where just previously they repelled an attack hv Chinese loafers and northern deserters swarming over the bridge behind refugees, who fired live shots at the Durham*, hut, a squad of these fixed bayonets and advanced calmly, making the looters retreat. The Durhanis’ machine guns now command, the bridge, and make room for others willing to fight. British troops have already advanced well beyond the boundaries, as unless C hinese trouble makers are held in cheek, the settlement will become the target for indiscriminate shelling. Already the native city is unsafe to enter. Disbanded Northern soldiers are looting on a wholesale scale and lighting, while every telephone post on the outskirts of the settlement is surrounded by sandbags and protected by machine gun nests. Portugese and American marines who landed have gone to the outskirts of Fessenden The chairman of the .Municipal Councl,. who is also an American, sent » pointed message to the- Antc.ri-- , can Admiral to the effect that ihe had ; better land marines or quit.

To-night a fire has broken out in Chapei district in the native city illuminating the skv while shouting contin lies un in te rruptod iv.