ALLIED TROOPS

Greymouth Evening Star, 26 February 1927, Page 7

ALLIED TROOPS

MOBILISE AROUND SHANGHAI SIGNIFICANT PREPARATIONS ' (Australian <* N.Z. Cable As.n.) (By Cable—Press Assn.—Copyright.) PEKIN, Feb. 25. As the result of a new development overnight, British, French, Italian, and Japanese forces at noon to-day mobilised, and threw a cordon round the foreign settlements twenty miles in circumference. It is believed that the disruption between Sun Chuan Fang and Chang Hung Chang caused the emergency measure. The American forces have not yet landed. The Labour situation at Shanghai to-day was virtually normal, only eight thousand being still on strike. The Post Office is functioning as usual but those who did not join the strike ire threatened with death so soon as the Nationalists reach Shanghai. Simultaneously with calling off the strike, a one day general strike was staged at Hankow’. There were many large demonstrations, crowds processioning through the British Concession. The day passed off without incident.

WARNING TO GENERALS. SHANGHAI, February 25. The Senior Consul has. issued .the following declaration, adopted by the diplomatic body: — “In the light of military events which at present are taking place in the region of Shanghai, and which may at any moment have serious consequences for the safety of the life and property of their respective nationals, as was apparent from the bombardment of February 22, the interested diplomatic representatives feel compelled to recall that the international settlement at Shanghai, like other concessions in China, was established by virtue of regular agreements w’ith the Chinese Government, in order to make it possible for foreigners to reside there freely, and carry on their trade. “In the course of the party strife, of which that region has been the scene, the authorities of the interna-tional-settlement have scrupulously abstained from favouring any of the conflicting parties involved, and, despite the difficulties of the situation, they are maintaining in that respect, the strict neutrality imposed upon them by the nature of the state of affairs thus established. The interested diplomatic! representatives (are thus warranted in expecting on the part of the Sino authorities observance of the same rule of conduct, and they look to the heads of the armies involved, to take all measures necessary to avoid incidents which would constrain foreign authorities themselves to take measures for ensuring the safety of the persons and property of their nationals. A similar declaration was issued by the French Minister regarding the French concession. It adds: “The French authorities are determined to take measures which the situation may render indispensable.”

CHINESE FORCES MOVING.

SHANGHAI. Feb. 24. There is considerable Chinese military activity at the front, but there is little fighting. The opposing forces are now' jockeying for position in what is expected to be the deciding fight for the possession of Shanghai. The authorities in the Foreign Settlements are now’ circulating confidential notices to the foreigners residing in Chinese territory in outlying districts and settlements, warning them to be prepared to centralise on short notice in the event of the present situation developing seriously. Thirteen hundred United States marines have arrived here from San Diego.