CHINESE SOLDIERS' MUTINY.

Evening Post, Volume LXXIX, Issue 71, 26 March 1910, Page 9

CHINESE SOLDIERS' MUTINY.

TERRIBLE SCENES IN CANTON* RIOT, CARNAGE, AND FLAME. The China Post gives the following details from ite' Canton correspondent of serious rioting in Canton daring February :—" The city has once more been the scene, of oamags and riot. Not long ago an American correspondent described it as 'the hellpot of the East.' The city impresses one by its barbaric poverty. The terrible conditions tinder which its thousands live cause one to marvel. The eye, as well as the mind, is awed by the revolting scenes, and it is no wonder that tke story winch .reached us may be true in its essential fact*^ The riot was on a large and fierce scale. The soldiers defied all orders, aad-mutiny was so rampant that the barracks were fired and completely demolished. Machine guns and rifles were freely used on two days in order to enforce compliance with the wis-hes of the authorities, and th« scenes in the crowded streets baffle all description. The soldiers- fired on all and sundry who came in their way, riofc and carnage ruled while the. flames devastated large areas. Hundreds of soldiers, it is stated, have run away to the hills, while the number alleged to have been executed within, a short time is 60. "News regarding peace having been restored in the city comes from a reliable and authoritative source. It is to be hoped, that the strong arm of repression has proved effective, but no one can say when another huge outburst may take place. The soldifci-s evidently .have no conception of loyalty, and probably will not for years to como. On* European gentleman counted in on» spot 17 bodies. Thousands of Chines* left Canton owing to the mutiny of thd soldiers, and have fled to Hongkong for safety. Large numbers of soldiers hay« disappeared, fleeing to various points,, and definite instructions kavej been urgently sent with a view k> rounding up the mutineers. It has been suggested that some of the men will escape by boat or train, and, therefore, a rigorous watch has been organised." Writing again on 17th February, th» coi respondent says : — ' 'Order has not been completely restored. The authorities have adopted the most rigorous measures to suppress the disaffected soldiery, but consuierable 'scrapping' goes on, ana is likely to continue for some days. Many, of the mutinous soldiers have, fled to the White Cloud Mountains, where it may take spine time to bring, tnem to submie6ion. The trouble with the soldiery at Soochow fhe- other day is a coincidence \v-hich may have some meaning. In any case, the situation is none .too secure. . It b? said that the reason for the mutiny is the »£act that the soldiers have not received pay due to them. This is aa old complaint, and it is not by any means the first time that trouble' hat resulted in consequtjnee."