CHINESE CRISIS

Waipukurau Press, Volume XXII, Issue 22, 21 February 1927, Page 5

CHINESE CRISIS

AGREEMENT REACHED. . >, .■ ■ . DOCUMENTS SIGNED. (Received this day, 1.30 p.m?) LONDON, Feb. 20. An official message from Hankow states Chen and O’Malley have Signed an agreement. STRIKE SITUATION. (Received this day, 1.30 p.m.) SHANGHAI, Feb. 20. There, was some development in the : strike situation to-day, but owing to it being Sunday it is not possible to determine the . exact extent although V ’is estimated that between 80,000 : I 100,000 workers are idle. Intimidation is playing a great part. The crews of- the international settlement busses have finally been forced out, so public transportation is confided to rickshas and the public hire or motor cars. House servants arc not yet affectbed. LABOUR PROCLAMATION. (Received this day, 1.35 p.m.) SHANGHAI, Feb. 20. labour union has issued .a statement declaring its aims which include the continuation of anti-imper-ialistic propaganda, the elimination of .militarists, foundation of a people’s freedom of speech and press, eight hours’ day, an increase in wages, recognition of unions, better •treatment of labourers and similar -wages for -male and female workers. However Chinese newspapers state that the real object of the strike is to welcome the Nationalist armies to Shanghai. So far there have been no disturbances beyond minor ones and no definite anti-foreign tendencies have as yet been shown. THE BRITISH FORCES. ADEQUATE FOR PROTECTION. LONDON, Feb. 18. The “Daily Mail” says a Cabinet meeting decided that there would be no startling change in the China policy, even if the advance on Shanghai becomes more rapid. Cabinet is satisfied that the avaiable forces are adequate for British protection. BRITISH PRECAUTIONS. JUSTIFIED BY EVENTS. LONDON, Feb. 18. The Cantonese, aided by Russian ‘ machine gun instructors and advisers, "heavily defeated the Northerners, said Mr Amery, speaking at Hackney. The defeated rabble and elated victors might soon be pouring towards the centres which British enterpirse had built up, resulting in the possibility of looting, plundering, and massacre in - Shanghai if the Government, seeing the danger, had not sent troops to protect British life and property. He •added that it was not the Government, but the Labour clique, sending telegrams as though they were in charge of the Foreign Office, which had interfered in Chinese affairs. RETREAT ON SHANGHAI. TROOPS’ ARRIVAL OPPORTUNE. SHANGHAI, 1 Feb. 18. Thousands of refugees arc pouring in from the war-stricken areas, including hundreds of deserting soldiers. The anti-Red army is expected to break-up and flee to Shanghai. Momentarily, its morale has been struck vitally by Kuo Min-tang propaganda. The municipal authorities arc taking every precaution to prevent entry into the settlement. Pickets on the boundaries are disarming soldiers on entering. The anti-Red debacle is not surprising, as Sun, Chuan-fang’s army consisted of a rabbje, enlisting for the purpose of loot. Sun is frantically establishing defences 50. miles from Shanghai, hoping to chdck the Reds. Japanese reports state that.he-is- prepared to compromise with the Reds in regard to Shanghai, in order to avoid fighting. Several high officials have fled to Japan as a result of developments. Others are taking refuge with the Chinese defence commissioners. Shanghai has to face a' danger of a

threefold character —the retreating troops, the advancing conquerors, and mobs within the city. 'The length of the settlement boundaries makes them difficult to guard. A mob of 50,000 could pour into the settlement at a hundred different points on all sides. The British forces are stationed at the most important public utilities in specially erected huts. Seaplanes from the British warships daily reconnoitre the Chinese military lines.