AN OFFICIAL EXPLANATION.

North Otago Times, Volume CVII, Issue 17165, 23 March 1927, Page 5

AN OFFICIAL EXPLANATION.

LONDON, March 21. "The fall of Shanghai" gives westerners an altogether false impression of the situation," declared an official spokesman at Downing street. "There was no capture of the city after a siege and no serious fighting; therefore the best western simile to describe the position is to say 'Cantonese, following a general election, were cliosen by a large majority to control Shanghai." Official ciUcles do not anticipate on any large scale a clash between the Cantonese forces or northerners and troops defending the international settlement or French concession. The occupation of the city of the Cantonese, which had long been merce can proceed unhampered. ful affair, apart from some rioting and possibly isolated shootings, hut the Cantonese recognise that their claims to control Shanghai and ultimately a large part of China in the name of nationalism, as well as their need for revenue from taxation from the wcalthy business community of Shanghai, would be seriously prejudiced if they did noi: prevent hloodshed. - p The Cantonese commanders have already conferred with thc commanders of internalional forces at

Shanghai, and sought a detailed explanation of the locations of the British, French, Italian and Japanese forces in order to make every endeavour to prevent trouble. Well-informed circles here adhere to the view held for some time that the Cantonese occupation of Shanghai, apart from some ebullition of feeling inseparahle from a j transition period, will he peaceful ' and will ultimately be of advantage to the British interests and faciiitate the establishment of a new and iasting reginie under which com'emrjce can proceed unhampered.