CHINESE TROUBLE.

Hokitika Guardian, 31 March 1927, Page 3

CHINESE TROUBLE.

[ey telegraph— pun press association.] .JAP AX ESl*'. WARNING. (Received this day at 31.0 a.in.) SHANGHAI. March ISO. Chiangkaishck sent the Chic! of V Staff to the Secretary aboard the • ' Japanese flagship to convey regrets for the Nanking incident, to the Admiral's representative. The latter, responding, expressed surprise at the conduct of the Southern troops, in whose discipline the Japanese had previously believed, despite certain unlawful acts directed against Japanese steamers, for which the Japanese never retaliated with a single shot. Judging from the Xanking fijfinponings, however, it seemed I that Southern commanders were unit able to exercise full authority over ■■Tvhcir men. The Japanese representa- * „V* concluded with a warning that apart from the attitude of the Japanese Government, the Japanese navy •though it had hitherto endured every 'act of violence, would hereafter take drastic steps in the event of Southern soldiers acting unlawfully or firing on Japanese steamers without good cause.

FURTHER OFFICIAL REPORTS tßeceivod this day at 11.0 a.m.) LONDON. .March DO.

A much sterner attitude against th<> Cantonese is destined, discernible in official circles in consequence of the receipt of more detailed repents of Nanking horrors. Mr AVallis, a Legation official, lias sent from Nanking a report upon the subject. He has not completed inquiries hut sufficient data has been received aijd made public in Sir A. Clmmberi'ain’s statement in the Com-

mons. A press communique issued to-night confirms the guilt of the Cantonese army and shows naval firing alone prevented more terrible honors and loss of life. The authorities admit the evacuation of ( liungkang, Telia ng and Changsha, by Britishers lias become imperative as the situation in the civil war zone might at any moment get out of control. The only comfort the authorities offer is the belief that Cantonese leaders in Shanghai are showing they already realise a repetition of the Nanking horrors would not pay from the viewpoint of Nationalist aspirations.

STATEMENT JN COMMONS. OFFICIAL REPORTS. (Received this day at 10.2/5 a.m.) LONDON, March 3D. A long supplementary statement submitted bv_Sir A. Chamberlain, in the Commons, detailed events in Nanking from facts derived from Rritish sources of information and from Ministers at Peking, supplied to them by American and Japanese representatives. Looting wtis carried out by uniformed soldiers ‘belonging to formations under the command of Chuiicliing. This is sworn to by His Majesty’s Consul-General and the United States Consul, also by numerous responsible British and American residents. The looters were small organised parties controlled by the blowing of whistles and called off by bugle shortly after the firing from tho man o’ war began. The British Consulate-General was surrounded before entry, and sentries were posted about. Thirty soldiers spent the previous night at tho Vice-Consular house which was temporarily unoccupied and raised n revolutionary flag. jffctWhen looters entered the Consulate tho foreign women including the wife of the Consul-General were, thoroughly searched and rudely stripped of valuables. Many had their clothes torn off. Two American women were only just saved from attempted violation. These fleets are established by sworn depositions. Foreigners were not molested hr Northerners, nor by local inhabitants. J.noting and destruction was worse than first- realised. The attack on foreigners was carefully ordered. The British Consul-General was a special objective. The Consular party | lost everything. It was robbed of valuables at the point of a gun. and houses wore burned after the looting, the furniture being used for firewood Chinese police warned the American Consul that the party would he destroyed unless they evacuated. Ac cordingly they escaped across the country to the property of the Standard Oil Company. Although repeatedly threatened they managed to keep out the Nationalist soldiers for two hours. Finally the latter broke in, hut seeing the numbers inside retired and opened fire from a. distance. British and American vessels dropped shells immediately round the house an* the party was enabled to trip over the wall. Nationalist soldiers deliberately fired on the United States Consul wit'tho intention of killing him. Jfc had just a moment before given them his card, and asked to see their officer. Tho United States Consulate was deliberately looted, though Nationalist officers were aware no effective sler had been taken to afford protection. Murder, robbery and other outrages were committed against Americans and other foreigners throughout the city, without the slightest attempt at official restraint. The American Consul tried fruitlessly all day to find a responsible officer. This undoubtedly proved the outrages were planned. They could not possibly have been the result of a few troops accidentally getting out of hand. Mr Kenworthy: “What’s the next, step you propose to take? ” Sir A. Chamberlain: “Steps which might ho proper for His Majesty’s Government and other Governments whose citizens are thus treated, and flags outraged are under consideration.’’ (Cheers).