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Wairarapa Age, 24 February 1927, Page 5

“SEMI-LAWFUL MASSACRE.”

HORRORS IN SHANGHAI.

SCORES MURDERED DAILY. PEKIN, February 22. The semi-lawful massacre of Chinese carried out in the Native City of Shanghai for the Chinese military purpose of suppressing Red agitation and strikes, is shoe If ng the community on account of the ruthlessness employed. The native soldiery and poliee are practieaMr murdering scores of persons suspected tif agitating and supporting the Cantonese movement. Net since the Spanish Inquisition has a city of the size of Shanghai witnessed such scenes as are being daily enacted. Heartless executioners have completely terrorised the natives, who fear to venture abroad lest ‘they be suspected. The executioners are merciless, walking in squads, arresting students, Labour agitators, union delegates, .and strikers, and executing them immediately without trial. Youths arc dragge.l from the arms of their mothers, and their heads lopped off, while others, screaming and struggling, are hacked to pieces. Escapees are shot while escaping. The executions are carried out with the intention of counteracting the Canton movement intended to embarrass -Sun Chuan-fang’s tiefence of Shanghai. The general strike is waning and workers are returning. The InternatUnal Settlement authorities are not interfering, appreciating the display of force, though regretting the bloodshed. In the circumstances there is hardly a whisper of protest from the Chinese, though there is widespread indignation at the decapitation of the Chinese editor of an English-printed newspaper,

following his publication of Sun Chuanfang’s reverses in fighting the Cantonese. The editor wa,s kidnapped a fortnight ago fre.o rhe International Settlement in daylight by disguised Chinese soldiers, and carried to native territory. Warrants have boon issued for many prominent Cantonese. A reign of terror prevails as the only preventive of mob riots similar to those at Hankow. —(A. and N.Z.)

SUN CHUAN-FANG RETIRES. A NEW COMMANDER. (Received This Dav, 1.10 a.m.) PEKING February 23. Sun Chuan-fang has abdicated, and tho Kiangsi Army Commander, Liu-Hsinng-ting is reorganising the remnant of the forces. With the arrival of Liu Hsiang-ting from Shantung, accompanied by a fresh brigade of Shangtnngesc, the long-expected entry of the Northern forces into Southern Kiangsu has ccnimenced. but whether to oppose or join the Cantonese is problematical. Masses of the Shangtunng<‘se crossed the Yangtse and entrained for Shanghai, and arc preparing also to ship an armoured train. It is stated that th? Cantonese and Shangtungese commanders have arranged that Shanghai shall be a neutral area. Furthermore, Chang Tso-lin’s son. Chang Chung Chang has agreed to* divide the Shanghai surtaxes arith the Cantonese in exchange for the Gqvcrnship of Kiangsu. —(“The Times.”)