STRIKES IN SHANGHAI.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 258, 28 September 1940, Page 7

STRIKES IN SHANGHAI.

SERIOUS DISTURBANCES.

SHANGHAI, Sept. 26.

Tile strikes have spread and now involve the municipal garbage and night soil collectors, thereby presenting the threat of disease throughout the city. Mr V..A. Essen,' head of theFrencli bus company, has been missing for two days and is believed to have been kidnapped. The Portuguese foreman of the same company was kidnapped yesterday and released after ordering the men to quit work. Authoritative circles expect the crisis at the week-end. Directors of utilities companies declare that agitators are threatening the workers that their families will be harmed unless the workers in the power, gas and waterworks companies strike at the week-end.

It is understood that the Japanese have not so far presented formal demands on the French Concession. An incendiary bomb explosion on board a French tramcar which was under police guard wounded several passengers, and set fire to the car. Three more Chinese were wounded to-day. . Pickets tried to prevent the trains from working. Police fired in the air before the fracas was quelled. The strikes have spread to a number of private concerns. A .Korean, believed to be an. adherent of Wang Ching wei (leader of the puppet Government in Nanking), is reported to have been seen haranguing workers last night at several offices where strikes occurred. - r-