THE GUNNING HAND.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 305, 24 December 1926, Page 7

THE GUNNING HAND.

SOVIET IN CHINA. MISLEADING QUIETNESS ENSUES. CAMPAIGN BY CANTONESE. (By Cable.—Press Association.— Copyright. l (Received 12.30 p.m). SHANGHAI, December 23. Although the absence of violent outbreaks in Hankow suggests quietness, such is entirely contrary to facts. There is indisputable evidence that the Cantonese are achieving their ends by subtle, yet nevertheless effective means, demonstrating the cunning hand of the Soviet, which is insufficient to cause the foreign intervention desired by merchants and residents who realise that only the wholesale massacre of foreigners would cause the Powers to intervene. The Hankow situation is rapidly taking on the conditions obtaining in Canton prior to the so-called lifting of the boycott. Cantonese, not .content with the establishing of a Nationalist Government recognisable by the Powers, are pushing a programme aiming at driving out all foreigners from China, hoping that a relentless campaign of strikes and disorders will cause-foreigners to leave disgusted, thereby relinquishing the concessions and the control which is coveted by the Reds. Cannon of Hanyang Arsenal, overlooking the Hankow concessions, is trained on Hankow. This is regarded by foreigners as an empty but a significant Cantonese threat. Daily reports arriving from the interior cities state that foreigners are warned to evacuate by Consuls who arc unable to guarantee further safety.

SUFFOLKS FOR CHINA. GOING TO HONGKONG. LONDON, December 23. The "Times" is informed by its Gibraltar correspondent that a section of the Second Battalion of the Suffolk Regiment will proceed to Hongkong on December 29, and the remainder will follow on January 5.