CHINESE TROUBLE.

Hokitika Guardian, 31 March 1927, Page 2

CHINESE TROUBLE.

[by TELEGRAPH—PEII press association.] CONDITIONS SERIOUS. SHANGHAI, March 29. While Shanghai enjoyed another quiet day. news from up the river is growing more serious. 'lhe evacuation of all ports of the lower Yangtse is proceeding rapidly. To enable gunboats to deal with violence in a drastic manner without injuring foreigners. Briti-h warships on the Yangtse have been definitely instructed that if Btitish merchant ships are sniped upon, the warships must return the fire and inflict; the heaviest punishment on snipers. A Japanese naval. Lieutenant Araki. attempted to commit harikari aboard the Japanese flagship as the ensign was being hoisted. Araki was charge of the guard at Nanking Consulate when the building was looted and had been ordered not to light unless forced. His condition is serious.

FURTHER evacuations. SHAN MAI. Alarch 30.

The evacuation oi Anglo-American missionaries from Yangtse valley is gradually completing. Approximately one Imnderd reiused to leav,-. I,he remainder are either on route oi me shortly leaving. American CliamHor oi Commeico a( Hankow which asked for additional protection, has lieen officially notified they should evaluate. Intense activity is still displaying in the general labour union at Shanghai which has. decided to order another general strike, ine date to fixed later.

bbitisu notification. HONG KONG. Alarch 30.

The Governor has i--iied a communication that His Maicstv’s Government will give the fullest protection to Hong Kong and mainland territories during the civil war now raging: that they have no intention of surremlei ing Hong Kong or abandoning the rights and "authority of any part of the adjacent mainland territories under British administration.

BY ICO FUL'S COMMENT. MOSCOW. March 30

Yildrossing the Soviet Provincial Congress. Rykolf said in tlic present complex international position, it is -enrcelv possible to hope, it intertcrenec in Chinese affairs further developed, that there is no danger of a big war in China, ultimately oomplicaTitig not only Asia but the whole world' The danger to the Soviet lay in hostile political quarters, trying to prove in order to crush the Ohmo-e National. It is first necessary to overthrow (bo .Moscow revolution. but such an incursion was not likely lor the next two years though Britain denied participation in an attempt to form an anti-Soviet block, those working to that end were firmly convinced that Chamberlain was sympathetic towards it. NEAYS FROM SHANGHAI. (Received this day at 10.25 n.m.) SHANGHAI. Alarch 30. On the surface the situation is peaceful and a certain amount of business is being transacted. The streets are abnormally thronged, by Chinese during the dav, but totally deserted at nights, during the curfew hours. Hundreds are rounded every night and taken to the police station till daybreak. The seriousness with which Hie authorities view the up-river situation is indicated by the receipt of official' messages stating Anglo-Ameiiean <om inanities. Consuls and gunboats are withdrawing entirely from Chunking, L ining, 'and Changsha, owing to trade being brought to a standstill, and because recent events have -shown Hie situation may at any moment get out of control, endangering the lives ot forrijinei's. A Hankow message states soldieis in the night with pickets and ruffians are over-running the city. Japanese women and children are to he evacuated by the first available steamer. OUTSIDE POWERS CONFER. PEKING, March 31. English. American. French and Japanese Ministers have conferences daily regarding Nanking, discussing emergency measures to meet the situation now created, and considering possible remedies to ensure adequate protection of Nationals in the future. It is understood it has been decided to issue joint statements setting forth the attitude of Governments concerned. TOKYO. March 30. The Foreign Office states the Government of Japan does not contemplate independent action in China.