CHINESE TROUBLE

Hokitika Guardian, 8 April 1927, Page 3

CHINESE TROUBLE

[EY TEEEaiUra —PER PRESS ASSOCIATION. (Received tliis dny nt 10. Id a.in.) AVASHIXOTOX, April 7. I'nolfieinl but authoritative reports hero to-day stated the foreign diplomatic corps in Peking are expelled to protest to the local authorities against the unauthorised invasion of tile Russian Legation guard and eoin]iound, in connection with the authorised Chinese raid on adjoining private property. The State Department announced that the senior .Minister‘on behalf of the diplomatic quarter, authorised the Chinese authorities to search on April fitli the property of the Russian Dahl Rank and Russian Kastern Chinese Railway, but gave no authority for a raid on the adjacent - " compound, after which the Chinese went beyond the authorisation and raided the compound. A message from San Diego states ISOJ marines sailed for Shanghai cm the transport Henderson. COX DITTOS GETTING WORSE. SHANGHAI, March 7. The latest wireless from Hankow indicates the Japanese are determinedly defending the Concession on which Chinese troops are not permitted lo 7 trespass. There is already a landing party of three hundred ashore. This will he doubled on arrival of the cruiser Tcitryu. The general situation is reported lo he steadily getting worse. Lawlessness is on the increase and Hankow i> being gradually emptied of all foreign residents. Russians and dormans are now htirricdiv joining the general exodus. A general atmosphere of uneasiness prevails in the native districts. In accordance with the decision to completely evacuate (lie upriver areas. British gunboats, Consuls and communities have been brought to Hankow from Chungking, lohinug. ■Changsha and Chenglcn. At Shanghai, curfew, to-night was cased one hour to the eleven limit.

BRITISH OFFICIAL NEWS'." (Received tins day at 12.25 p.m.) LONDON, April 7. The Foreign Office is still without official news of the raid on the Russian building in Pekin. A speeittl Cabinet meeting to-duy considers the latest reports of the Chinese situation. Following the decision to evacuate all Britishers in the up-river areas, all British warships above Hankow have now returned thither.

Though the Powers identical notes re Nanking have still not been presented to the Cantonese, authoritive circles insist that the delay does not. imply any hitch in the negotiations between London, Tokyo and Washington. Britain’s final instructions were sent to Mr Lampson on Monday hut time is necessary to allow the Governments of United States and Japan to reach a decision and cable the same to Pekin. Italy has already agreed to the main principles of the Xote and France is confidently expected to join in tin international protest.