THE ROYAL SCOTS FUSILIERS.

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20499, 18 March 1932, Page 11

THE ROYAL SCOTS FUSILIERS.

GIFTS FROM CHINESE. APPRECIATION OF SERVICES. (UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION —BT ELECTRIC TELEQBAPK—COrVBIGHT.) (Received March 18th, 12.30 a.m.) SHANGHAI, March 17. There was a remarkable sceno at the Shanghai racecourse this morning preparatory to the departure of the Royai Scots Fusiliers, who sailed for Home this evening. A largo motor-truclc laden with parcels arrived while the battalion was resting before marching to the troopship. Chinese proceeded to unload the truck, which contained hundreds of gaily-wrapped parcels; then going along the lines standing at attention the Chinese distributed to each man a pair of silk socks and to each officer brocaded cushion covers, on behalf of the Chinese community. Each parcel contained a card expressing appreciation of-the battalion's services in safeguardtho welfare of the city during the recent emergency. This was in direct contrast to 1927, when British troops were boo-cd. Other British forces received similar presents. Foreign diplomats to-day inspected the defence lines of the Japanese and Cliineso for the purpose of determining conditions preparatory to the peace conference which is expected to begin any day. HAVOC OF WAR. SHANGHAI CASUALTIES. SIX THOUSAND CIVILIANS KILLED. SHANGHAI, March 16. Tiio League Commission has jv» nouneed its intention of remaining hero until there appears to be a definite possibility of settling the CliineseJapaneso dispute at Shanghai.

In tho meantime, the Chinese arc compiling data as fast as possible to submit to tho Commission, for the purpose of showing the wholesale destruction caused in the Chinese areas. According to the data prepared uy tho Social Affairs Bureau of Greater Shanghai, civilian casualties at Chapei, Kiangwan and Woosung total over 6000 killed, 200 wounded, and many thousands missing. Property ■ ,o ®®? aro estimated at 1,400,000,000 tael (the tael being, roughly. Is lOd).

SHANGHAI DISPUTE.

PROGRESS OF NEGOTIATIONS. (BBITISJI OFFICIAL WIRELESS.) RUGBY, March 16. Reports were current in Geneva this afternoon that negotiations at Shanghai gave promise of an arrangement being reached for the complete cessation of hostilities between the Chinese and Japanese. Questioned in-.Parliament regarding the local negotiations, Sir J™ l " kiniou (Foreign Minister) said that acccirctinsr to his information conversations were proceeding. As to the genera situation at Shanghai, Sir John Simon said skirmishing had practically ceaseu One Japanese division and a mixefl brigade were being withdrawn to Questioned regarding the position m Manchuria. Sir John Simon said it would be premature to decide on the attitude of his Majesty's Government toward these events.