CHINESE TROUBLE.

Hokitika Guardian, 8 April 1927, Page 2

CHINESE TROUBLE.

[by TELEGRAPH —PER TRESS ASSOCIATION.] OFFICIAL VIEW’S. LONDON*. April G. The Foreign Office has not received confirmation of the raid on the Soviet Embassy in Peking. Official circles question the truth of the report and doubt the suggestion that the diplomatic corps gave a special auhorisation. Ordinarily no warrant may be executed within the settlements without the diplomatic permission, which ordinarily is automatically granted, otherwise criminals could very easily find sanctuary in the settlements and defy the police, but in the present disturbed conditions, the diplomatic course would be sure to examine every request- all the Powers being equally anxious to avoid the appearance of partisanship. It is unodicialy suggested that it is most probable the application was made to raid some building where Russians were housed. Diplomats would feel bound to consent to an net which the Chinese authorities represented as essential, but it is very doubtful if they would consent to a deliberate raid on the Russian Embassy. CHANG TSO LIN' RAIDS SOVIET EMBASSY. SHANGHAI, April 7. Official details are published of the raid on the Soviet Embassy at Peking. They show that secret agents of Chang Tso Lin investigated tho source of radical propaganda that has been emulating from Peking for months past, and this culminated in the arrest of the two Americans already reported, tho Dial of whom is held over, [Lending the result of other investigations.

Chang Tso Lin has also appealed to the Foreign Ministers comprising the Diplomatic Corps at Peking to curb the activities of the Peking Communists slated to bo sheltering in the Foreign Legation quarters. Permission was asked by Chang Tso Lin to enter the Legation quarters. This was granted in contravention of the diplomatic etiquette. Acting on this permission. one hundred Chinese police, personally commanded by a police chief, and also two hundred Chinese soldiers from Chang Tso Lin’s body guard, surrounded the Russian Embassy grounds on three sides. Simultaneously. British troops, with fixed bayonets and loaded lilies, appeared at the Brilsh Legation wall on the fourth side. Then, without hesitation, the Chinese forced an entry into the Russian Embassy. They searched till there in residence thoroughly. and arrested all whom they found on the promises. The first building the Chinese entered was that of the former Russian Garrison. The seaehers met with some resistance. A shot was fired from within. The searchers inter emerged dragging a Russian. He was kicking and lighting. Other searchers discovered two machine guns, fifteen rifles, some small arms, and two rod flags. The Russian was then handcuffed. Tie- was dragged into tho siroet. Meantime the other prisoners emerged quietly, and were driven off in automobiles. The fighting (Russian, refused to go into an automobile. His struggles attracted a crowd of people, which was batoned a wav with the assistance of foreign-

Tlie episode produced the wildest scenes in the Foreign Legation quarter. There were mobs who were dispersed only with the greatest difficulty.

The search of the Soviet Embassy was then continued. The Embassy officials were ordered to remain in their offices. There was a fire, which broke out in the main building. Apparently. it was to destroy important documents. It was soon extinguished. Alter six hours of searching, sixtytour persons were arrested. 'They were handcuffed and incarcerated. They include the Soviet Charge D’ Alla ires. Meanwhile five trucks of documentary data and other material was removed, including seals that were inscribed:—“Peking Branch of the Kuoniintatig,’’ and the “Political Committee of the Kirin, Shansi, Kansu and Chihli Provinces.” Those arrested include six women, all of whom have been, detained at the Pekin Metropolitan Police Board. The search of the Soviet Embassy is still continuing. Staff experts who were convened by the headquarters to examine the seiz ed documents have reported that the exact documents desired have not been found. LONDON. April G. In order to avoid misconception, it is semi-officially explained that the Russian Embassy at Pekin was not invaded. A building was raided in the Russian Embassy grounds, and as it was necessary t > traverse the grounds to reach the building, tho Diplomatic Corps granted permission for that purpose. BRITISH FREEBOOTERS. LONDON, April G. As an endorsement was made by the Foreign Office on his passport, reading: “Not Valid for China,” this has abruptly ended a scheme planned by Captain Livingstone, Le Aimouth. who is a descendant of David Livingstone, tbo African explorer, to take out a small party of gentlemen adventurers, for the purpose of fighting under Chang Tso Lin (the Mauldin War Lord) in an anti-red campaign in China. Fifteen or sixteen former British officers have already joined Lonmouth’s party, and a cable has been sent to Chang Tso Lin offering their services, hut tho Passport Office demanded Le Annouth’s passport, and sent it to the Foreign Office, which endorsed it as invalid, at the same time intimating that passports to China are only being issued under special circumstances.

JAP DIVISION. TOKIO, April G. The Japanese are sending the Utsunomiya Division, which is largely composed of cavalry, into Manchurianleased territory, ostensibly to relieve a Division that is serving there. Two companies have been ordered to reinforce the Japanese Peking Embassy (.1 uard. SHANGHAI, April G. It is officially stated that the .Japanese casualties as thewesiilt of Sunday’s riots, were live killed and ten missing. Japanese reinforcements have arrived at Hankow. JAP FINANCIAL CRISIS. TOKYO. April G. The Japanese Press Association announce that the Suzuki Company, which controls sixty or seventy large subsidiary companies, with a total capital and liabilities of half a billion yen. lias announced the temporary suspension of its business for adjustments. VERY HEAVY FIGHTING. SHANGHAI. April 6. The latest report from Nanking sav that very heavy fighting is reported by the British warship “Emerald’’ between the North and South armies at Kwnntien.

THE CENSORSHIP. LONDON. April 7. The “Daily Express” correspondent cables from Bucharest that the expulsion order issued against him lias been cancelled.