PROCESSION OF VICTIMS

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 230, 17 December 1927, Page 9

PROCESSION OF VICTIMS

GRIM VENGEANCE IN CANTON MANY SOVIET OFFICIALS EXECUTED By Cable.—Press Association. — Copyright. Received 11.20 a.m. SHANGHAI, Friday. DETAILS which are arriving from Canton show what vengeance has been wreaked on the Russians who directed the recent rising, following the retaking of the city by Nationalist troops.

It is reliably reported that the Nationalist troops seized all the Russians connected with the Consulate, men and women, irrespective of their position. Numbers of those were executed immediately. The Consul-General, his family, and staff were taken prisoner. A report that they were executed is not confirmed

A sad procession of Soviet servants marched the dusty streets roped together, bearing placards stating the crimes committed, and inviting the public to commit acts of violence. As a result many prisoners were slashed with knives and otherwise injured and mutilated. Several former Russian advisers to the Kuomintang are among those executed.

The Canton streets are littered with

corpses of the Communists who revolted.

Goods trucks loaded with bodies were moved to the country, testifying to the ruthless slaughter by Government troops.

Blocks of buildings nave been demolished by fire, and Government of fices are in ruins.

Carts piled high with bodies are in procession in the streets. Cantonese leaders denounce a Russian conspiracy as being responsible for the appalling scenes of devastation. They demand that the Russians be driven out of the country. It is officially reported that thou sands were killed on the retaking of the city, in which Chinese gunboats were prominent.—A. and N.Z.