STATEMENT BY REFUGEES.

North Otago Times, Volume CVII, Issue 17170, 29 March 1927, Page 5

STATEMENT BY REFUGEES.

LOOTING CEASED WHEN WARSHIPS COMMENCED FIRING. SHANGHAI, March 27. Rcfugecs from Nanking believe that the atrocities were prenieditated and have drawn up a statement were obviously under sub-official control, and directed against all, ir-

i declaring that attacks on foreigners respective of nationality. Many refugees have arrived here penmless, and the xnajority had only the clothes they xvore, and some were dressed in Chinese clothes, having been stripped to their underclothing. „ „ The statemgnt adds, that lollowing on the Northerns' evacuation, the Southerners began looting the foreign houses at six in the morning. They entered the _ compounds . with fixed bayonets, firing as they ) forced their way in demanding I money and looting. They then call- | ed in mobs to complete the vandalI ism. In some cases foreigners who did not deliver up money were bound and led through the streets until ransomed by friends. Canton- | ese officers finally appeared and re- ' stored order, after the foreign war- ! ships had fired on Thursday after- 1 i noon and the soldiers kept order. ! Foreigners obtained a military es- | cort, accompanied by Chinese i friends, assem'bled at the University, i where they got into communication I with the warships. After darlc a ; military detaclnuent was sent to the 1 University and foreigners in vari- , ous vehicles or afoot proceeded unmolested to the Avaterfront, where they embarked. The statement adds that the destroyers' boinbardment. instead of causing loss of life in Nanking, was | the direct cause. of the rescue of j the rest of the foreigners. Immediately the firing began the Southern- ! ers ceased looting and burning i foreign property, and later Southj ern officials under a flag of truce | asked for conveyance to the warships to arrange for the evqcuation of the remaining foreigners.