BARRICADES RUSHED

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 1, 23 March 1927, Page 13

BARRICADES RUSHED

TERRORSTRICKEN CHINESE SHELLS FALL IN SETTLEMENT the Inte™. S t triCk ?o inese are storming the barricades of soldiers of Jh na Se “l e “ ent at Shanghai. Several hundred and mmheH S r °Y te ? Northern armies broke the cordon thl ? alleyways. Big fires are raging in the native city Shells are falling in the settlement. isy table.—Press Association. — Cnn„rin*t

Received 9.15 a.m. SHANGHAI, Tuesday. rth ? rn , troops ’ estimated at several hundreds, broke through the barJi e " a , cordon at the Northern Internationa Settlement, and rushed a i lliy y ays ’ which were weakly held by the British. They previously attempted to break through, but were repulsed by the Durhams. So far no British casualties nave been reported. Several shells dropped into the International Settlement during the afternoon, and struck the police station, the American hank, Nanking Road, and an apartment-house in the centre of the settlement, as well as various small buildings. There were no known casualties. A second conflagration, tigger than yesterday’s, started in the native quarter. The roof-tops of the settlement buildings were crowded by thousands of people watching the flames Dense columps of smoke envelop the settlement, and the fire is spreading rapidly. Thousands of panic-stricken natives are storming the barricades, and fleeing from the flames.

The most eerie scenes were witnessed on the boundary of the International Settlement all night long. British soldiers took turns to man the machine guns, which were pointed at groups of the defeated Shantung troops on the other side of the boundary. A ghastly sight was witnessed in the early morning. A party of “White” Russians, who had deserted from the Northern forces, asked for admission. They were allowed to enter the settlement, but one decided to return in order to blow up an armoured car, lest, it should fall into the hands of the Southerners. Ten minutes later he again tried to enter the settlement with a companion, but Shantung soldiers stopped them. The two men were forced to kneel in the roadway, and were beheaded. Their heads were mockingly stuck on pickets within a few yards of the British machine-guns. In the meantime, shooting continued incessantly. Guerrilla Conditions, Five foreign-owned motor-cars were perforated by bullets this morning. The wrecks now litter the streets. In the sniping area in Shanghai the firing is still indiscriminate. Every passer-by is treated to pot-shots. The British soldiers who are living on the boundaries of the settlement are replying to the snipers from sandbag barriers. It is impossible to give a tally of the casualties on the Chinese side of the barrier. Native refugees who have entered the settlements state that the streets are littered with dead, headless bodies, as a result of the continuous guerrilla v/arfare between the Cantonese and the Northerners who refused to surrender.

BRITAIN WAITS

NATIONALISTS’ SINCERITY ROWDIES TO BLAME (Received 9.24 a.m.) LONDON, Tuesday. The news received In official quarters dealing with i;he latest happenings in Shanghai, is, as usual, behind the press cables. It is claimed that the reports of the unfortunate incidents accompanying the occupation of the city by the Cantonese already received, fully justify the presence of the British Defence Force, and it is contended that without it the troubles would have been much more serious.

Downing Street does not expect diplomatic developments or negotiations in Shanghai for some time, as a chance must be given to the new regime to settle down, despite the declaration of a three-days’ strike to celebrate the success of the Cantonese. Official quarters exonerate the Southern forces from responsibility for most of the troubles. The Cantonese leaders are sincere in their efforts to maintain order. British Government quarters welcome the International Council’s renewal of its offer to have Chinese representation on the Council, as well as insisting that this cannot be done until the agitation which is stirring up class hatred and racial prejudice subsides.

The Government attitude is to await a. calmer situation under the new controllers before opening negotiations having reference to the International Settlement,—Sun.