STUDENTS SHOT DOWN.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXIII, 23 March 1926, Page 7

STUDENTS SHOT DOWN.

Military Blame Premier. CHAOTIC SITUATION IN CHINABy Cable —Press Association; —Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. PEKIN, March 21. General Feng-Yu-Hsiang wired blaming the Premier for failing to maintain order without shooting down students. The Cabinet therefore resigned. STORY OF THE SHOOTING. OUTRAGE ANGERS POPULATION. Cable—Press Association—Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. SHANGHAI, March 21. AVitli reference tq tlie shootings at Pekin, delayed telegrams from Pekin state that a group of students visited the Foreign Office, presenting an uncompromising reply to tlie Xaku incident, which they wanted the Government to adopt. Nearly 1000 students paraded the streets, and finally reached the Cabinet in the afternoon, when they intended to demand the dismissal of those responsible for the official reply, a forecast of which the vernacular morning papeis published. Tlieir entry was prevented, and the students attempted to force a way. The guard used bayonets, aud finally tired point blank. Eye witnesses state that three or four volleys were tired, alter which the crowd scattered in all directions, the soldiers continuing to shout as the students fled. The total casualties are now estimated at 120, including two girls and a woman. Tho Chief Executive called an emergency meeting of tho Cabinet following the shooting. He stated at the meeting that the Communist movement had seriously affected the prestige of tho Chinese Government, which was charged with being Bolshevik, but it was not, and strong measures were necessary to suppress the Communist mo/cment.

“ CARRY ON.” INSTRUCTION TO CABINET. Cable —Press Association—Copyngal Australian and N.Z Cable Association. PEKIN, March 21. The Chief Executive lias returned the resignations of the Cabinet members, and requested them to carry on. ANOTHER CRUMBLED ARMY. TROOPS IN FULL RETREAT. By Cable—Press Association —Copyright. Reuter's Telegrams. (Received March 23, 12.45 p.m.) SHANGHAI, March 22. • Advices from Tientsin . state that. General Kuo-Miii-Chun’s troops defence has broken down. They are in full retreat from Lanheim, which was captured by General Fengtien, after continuous artillery bombardment.