TROOPS READY.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 49, 28 February 1927, Page 7

TROOPS READY.

DEFENCE POSITIONS j Line Outside Settlement I Boundaries. PROTECTION OF SHANGHAI. (By Cable.—Copyright.—Press Association.) (Received 10.30 a.m.) SHANGHAI, February 27. The British troops yesterday oecu-' pied a defence line outside the International Settlement boundaries, the maintenance of which is regarded as indispensable for the defence of the city. This action was taken on the request of the Municipal Council, made in view of the situation which is being created' by the arrivals of increasingly large numbers of Chinese troops from the north. The defences of both the foreign settlements on their actual boundaries are being further strengthened. It is expected that American and Japanese quotas for defence will be in line soon. The Italians are occupying their particular sector. The Shantun gtroops, who have a reputation for bad behaviour, are more truculent than Sun's, and already there have been clashes between the two on the settlement border, but so far these have not been serious, yet they foreshadow unpleasant possibilities. About 4000 foreign Nationals reside in the area occupied by the British troops [outside the settlement proper. Heavy rain has been falling all day and most of the country is a quagmire. The genera! situation is comparatively quiet. A message from Hongkong says the American destroyer, the Pruitt, and the Italian destroyer, the Jluggia, are on the way to Shanghai. " - The first battalion of the Bedford and Hertford Regiment and the second battalion of the Border Regiment have arrived at Shanghai. Troop trains continue to arrive from Shantung and the staff is expected tonight. The British troops have created an excellent impression. The Chinese people have been disillusioned from their belief that these soldiers would loot and oppress them. They grudgingly acknowledge that they are now secure from the rabble of which their own troops is largely composed.