CHINESE TROUBLE.

Hokitika Guardian, 14 December 1927, Page 3

CHINESE TROUBLE.

(Australian & N.Z. Cable Association.) LOOTING CAXTO.n. (Received this day at 11.0 a.m.) SHANGHAI-, Dec. 13. According to refugees arrivin'; at Hong Kong, Gonununist troops arc* freely loot inf; Canton. The situation is extremely confused. All gold, silversmiths, jewellers and General stores are emplietl. Newspaper offices have been occupied by members of the Printers’ Union and the plants are idle. The police stations which escaped burning are used as liases for the operations of | the Communists. The majority of the residents have a difficulty in securin'; provisions. Prices have advanced outrageously and paper currency has depreciated fifty cent. Communists are reported to lie dashing hither and thither in the streets, carrying grenades and German .Mausers, robbing pedestrians of wealthy nppearan-'*. stripping rings from the fingers ano tugging ear-rings from women. Communists leaders from Canton issued a proclamation in the name of the Soviet in Hong Kong, ordering the extermination of landlords, destruction of title deeds, confiscation of lands and houses. The American warship Sacramento landed naval troops, field guns and machine guns at Shameen, to assist in the evacuation of nationals. Tt is impossible to estimate the enormous damage in Canton from fire and looting. Missionaries, Americans and Germans up country are fleeing before mobs to Hong Kong for protection.

CAPTAIN LA 1.011 RELEASED. SHANGHAI. Dec. 13. The warship Vindictive has received a wireless message from Chang stating Captain Lalor has been released by bandits, and is now aboard the British gunboat Hospital. Details are unavailable. Latest reports slate Nationalist forces succeeded in retaking CantAn lint were quickly driven out by Communists, and compelled to retreat to Honan, opposite Canton. The struggle continues with fluctuations in fortunes. In view of the danger threatening foreigners in Tagshan, a suburb of Canton, tlie British Vice-Consul proceeded to the rescue in the warship Moorhen, which was subjected to heavy fire from Communists on the banks of the river. There were no casualties. The mission was successful and eleven British, fifteen Americans and fifty-three Germans were brought safely to Shameen.