THE FRENCH CONCESSION

Evening Star, Issue 19519, 29 March 1927, Page 5

THE FRENCH CONCESSION

DUESTIOH OF DEFENCE

PLANS FOR PROTECTION,

SHANGHAI, March 28

General Duncan is considering ilio petition of the residents of the French Concession t > take over its defence. The French Concession is Shanghai’s chief industrial centre, and many British and Americans, who consider that the French plans for its defence are inadequate, are living in constant fear of Cantonese attacks.

The total French force, including the regular and special police, volunteers, colonial, Senegalese, the Annaniito troops is n,f)(b There is friction between the French Consul and tho French defence commanders. The latter are reported to bo agreeable to let General Duncan take over tho defence. One notorious hotbed of agitation has been taken over by a strong force of Japanese marines, and the Durhams, finis relieved, have been transferred to reinforce the British lines on tho west-

crn boundary.: General Butler,, of the American marines, declared that lie was prepared to despatch marines to the French Concession the instant there is danger. Yesterday manv French Concession residents evacuated fho International Settlement. All have been notified of tho concentration plan—buglo blasts being the signal. The curfew is rigidly enforced at 10 o’clock. No Chinese, but only foreigners with permits, are allowed abroad. The day is passing quietly.