CONDITIONS IN SHANGHAI

Evening Star, Issue 19003, 27 July 1925, Page 5

CONDITIONS IN SHANGHAI

DUNEDIN GIRL'S LETTER "Writing on June 12 to a lady friend in Mornington, a Dunedin girl now in Shanghai states “ Last time I wrote it was ‘war aa usual’; then came business as usual; and ;-.ow we have a nice little riot and a miniature battle in the main street and a general strike and boycott of English and Japanese goods. “ Everything was as usual on the Friday, not a sign or sound of any trouble ; yet on the Saturday, when we were at the races a few miles out, we hoard there had been a riot and that students had boon shot by our police. That was on May 30, and this is June 12, and the trouble is still going strong and likely to go stronger. “The Chinese used mi discrimination whatever, and attacked the foreigners and stoned and smashed the tramcars. Any foreigner venturing down a side street was likely to get stoned, 'lbis state of affairs has calmed down, as the streets are well patrolled by marines and volunteers of ail nationalities. Lewis guns are perched on the roofs of the Nanking road buildings, ready for anything. "You will have read the account of the lighting in Tibet and Nanking roads. Bullets were flying about. The Chinese had a ma-chine-gun hidden in their ‘New World’ Buildings, on the corner of Nanking road, and without a word commenced firing into the street. Passors-hy fled for shelter. Those playing tennis on the race course got a groat fright, as bullets wont wlii/./.ing over their heads. Soldiers arrived and raided the building, but could find nothing, the, Chinese having escaped by various routes. One mounted American was hit, and his lmr.se was shot, while others scampered madly away. All this in our shopping street—our ‘Princes street.’

“ Now it has changed from riot to strike, which is rapidly spreading to all parts of China. All shops are sheltered and barred, and a foreigner cannot change a dollar at any exchange shop. The seamen have now struck, this crippling business comnlelely. If they commence a boycott of British and Japanese goods things will he serious. The students’ demands arc .preposterous, and now the Chamber of Commerce has also taken a hand. It is developing into a political affair, delegations arriving from Peking to go into the question. “The trouble started before the firing and shooting of the students on May 30, as the printed matter they were distributing must have been prepared days before, and all the arrangements ior a procession planned for the Saturday. “ Houseboys have, not yet struck, ami are not anxious to, but unless they go their families are and_ it just amounts to how much intimidation they can stand. Many hotel hoys have left, more from fear than desire. All coolies from big works have left. They arc just like sheep, following tlie lepdor, who has promised to pay them their wages if they join the strike. •‘-‘.On all avails are posters in Chinese,

and any the council put up are torn down immediately. There are pictures and sketches of’ the tortoise everywhere. This is supposed to ho a great insult. The newspapers are on strike, and our papers are being run by the foreign staff and typist os. “All the markets are shut, and the council is controlling the toad supply. Ho far there have been no shortages, save in fresh meat. 'The Chinese will 'not allow cattle through,, nor will they work in the slaughter-house. One, saw an interesting sight the other day—a herd of cattle, guarded by volunteers, being taken down the Nanking road •to he slaughtered.' Just imagine that in Princes street!”