GAY SHANGHAI

Hokitika Guardian, 17 July 1928, Page 1

GAY SHANGHAI

KIDNAPPING AND LOOTING

xaxkixg atrocities.

“Shanghai has become the gayest city -of the world, and its night life outshines anything on the continent" of Europe to-day.” commented a passenger by the Ulimnroa last week, who" after residing for 28 years In China lias come out to New Zealand to spend the winter of his life. “Residents of Shanghai,” he said, “can consider themselves exeeedingly fortunate that the city has not been looted as were Nanking and other •plalaes. The British troops arrived just in time, aiid tlie city is now* in reality a walled fortress, practically impregnable. It has become the harbour for many wealthy Chinese and ■Europeans from other parts, who have flocked to it for protection. I do not think, that fighting will cense for the nest fifty years. The whole trouble has undoubtedly come from Russia, and the strange thing about it is that many of the men who have received Russian gold have held on to it and not used it for the propaganda purposes for which it was intended. “It is quite a common sight in Shanghai to see wealthy, men, when venturing out on the street, protected

by guards. Kidnapping is very rife, bandits always being on the look-out for wealthy men or their sons, whom they hold for ransom. Many of the houses are guarded day and night, but despite all precautions, there are frequent disappearances. I remember a case shortly before I left in which the son of a wealthy Chinese merchant was kidnapped, and the father refused the sum demanded. The boy’s oar was cut off and sent to the merchant as a guarantee of what would happen if the money stipulated was not forthcoming. Tliis is only one of numerous happenings of the kind, and many murders have taken place as a result of the operations of these bloodthirsty bandits. Trade is at a standstill, and can never recover while the country is in such a disturbed state. Nobody ever knows who is ruling China. One day one faction will assume control, only to be pulled down to-morrow. The Nanking horrors were so revolting that the Press could not publish the details.”