CHINESE TROUBLE

Gisborne Times, Volume LXV, Issue 10376, 6 April 1927, Page 5

CHINESE TROUBLE

WHY MORE TROOPS HAVE BEEN SENT.

POSSIBLE NORTHERN CANTONESE SWEEP.

ATTACKS MAY BE MADE ON BRITISH AT PEKIN AND TIENTSIN.

NEED FOR EMERGENCY MOBILE FORCES

(United Press Assn.—Copyright.) LONDON, April oi ' Sir Austen Chamberlain, Foreign Secretary, in reply to a series of questions on (The Chinese situation, in the House of Commons to-day, said that from information gathered from numerous disinterested Chinese, the general belief among the Chinese was that three Chinese civilians only were killed by the shells fired by British and American warships at Nanking. It was impossible to ascertain the number of military casualties, but tlicse took place solely among the troops engaged in attacking foreigners at the Standard Oil -fub.’s lull. General Chiang Kai-Shek had, however, told a number of press correspondents at Shanghai that the estimated casualties suffered by the Chinese were six killed and 16 wounded.

was not a good reason for the despatch of independent mission to Nanking.

Sir Austen replied frigidly: “I do not consider it part of my duty, as apparently you do, to disbelieve every British representative. ’’ Lo Petit Purisien’s Shanghai correspondent interviewed Air Eugene Chen, who said the revolution was not Communistic, though it was true that Communists were collaborating with the Kuomintang party. He did not fear Ilussian Communism. China would always welcome industries and capital from all European and American countries. The Nationalist Government would protect ail economicenterprises.

Official circles admit that Britain, America and Japan are at present not agreed upon the despatch of a joint Note to the Cantonese arising out of the Nanking outrages. The Australian Press Association understands that the three Powers have agreed upon the necessity of serious demands for an apology and reparation, and even upon the "nature of the reparation, but Britain will not object to the presentation of identical notes instead of a joint Note. J’lie authorities further hint at the probability of the Powers not being likely to intimate the nature of possible sanctions or reprisals in the event of non-compliance, probably reserving freedom of joint or individual action in this direction.

The ground within range of firing was entirely open, except for a feiv foreign-owned houses, and the damage done to Chinese- property was infinitesimal. No part of the city was set on fire, as the area where the shelling took place was open agricultural ground. The firing continued intermittently for 70 minutes, and in all 76 shells were fired by the British warship Emerald, and approximately the same number by the two American destroyers. The foreign casualties, according to his latest information, were: British, three killed—Dr Smith, Mr Huber, and a naval seaman named Knox; Americans—one killed and one wounded ; French—one killed; Italian—one killed. He had no information about casualties, but it was reported rthat two or three were wounded.

Downing Street emphasises that the dec is. on to despatch reinforcements is in nowise connected with the Nanking affair. They will take several weeks to reach China. They are being sent in consequence of the Shanghai defence force commander's dc-sire to have mobile troops available for despatch to other parts of China 11 and when needed. This can he taken as an intimation that file Cantonese northward sweep may ultimately necessitate the defence of British nationals and property in Pekin and Tientsin.

SITUATION AT NANKING

INCREASING TRUCULENCE TOWARDS FOREIGNERS.

The latest report from Nanking was that conditions were becoming more normal m regard to the Chinese population, but tne attitude or the Nationalists towards foreigners and foreign property was every day becoming increasingly truculent. British steamers leaving port had been heavily iired on from the waterfront, and the looting of foreign houses still continued. Ah foreigners had been brought out of the city. * The British Government was in consultation with the United States, Japanese, French and Italian governments regarding matters connected with the Nanking outrages. Latest reports indicated that the sit Hankow was easier, but a further* crisis was anticipated. Steps were being taken to reduce the British community to a ‘ minimum, and the United States authorities were evacuating their nationals as rapidly as possible. British subjects in the interior of China, in places where disturbances were to be anticipated, had been advised from time to time ever since November last'to withdraw to places of safety. This advice had been repeated as occasion arose by the British consuls, and had been extended to further districts when necessary. In a continuous process' oi this nature it was not possible to give u series of exact dates, but on .March 26 the British Consular officers at Ningpo, Swatow, Foochow, Lhingkiang, Wuhu, Kiukiang, JianKow, Yunnanfu and Kiungchow were warned to be prepared to evacuate treaty ports if necessary, tin March 2S advice was extended to British subjects in the interior of the Tientsin, Cliefoo Tsingtao and Tsinan Consular districts, and on March 30 to every part_ of the interior of China. Chuugkiaug had been completely evacuated, as had also Changsha, except for the British Consul, Mother Superior, and the Franciscan Mission and the British warship stationed there Ichang was to be ' similarly evacuated at the earliest possible date. All British subjects who elected to disregard this repeated advice had been warned that they did so entirely at tlieir own risk and thenown responsibility.

Official circles frankly admit that they have no great faith in Changtsolin’s ability permanently to check the Cantonese advance south of the great wall, but he is regarded as well able to hold Manchuria, whatever happens. The latest news received by the Foreign Office shows that there is no sign of an abatement of the Cantonese hatred of foreigners. The most significant fact is that everywhere anti-British posters have been superseded by new ones inciting hostility' to “foreign devils of every nationality.”—A. and N.Z.C.A. WASHINGTON, April 4.

The •Government lias sent delayed instructions to Mr Macmurray regarding the joint demands to the Nationalists. The instructions are understood to modify the joint draft demands Mr Macmurray submitted to the State Department after conferences with the British and Japanese Ministers.

The new orders permit of joint demands for an indemnity for the Nanking and other outrages, and a request for guarantees of future protection of foreign fives and property, but do not authorise an American or joint ultimatum. According to informed persons here it is considered probable that Mr Macmurray, and the British and Japanese Ministers at Pekin will be able to agree to joint action along the lines favored by the Americans. —A. and N.Z.C.A.

MOB ATTACKS JARS. FIGHTING AT HANKOW. JAPANESE EVACUATING. (Received April 5, 7.5 p.m.) SHANGHAI, April 4. The American naval guard aboard the American steamer “Cliin.ui’’ at Chungking, fired on and wounded three of the mob of coolies aboard a sampan who were trying to take possession of the steamer. A serious situation has developed at Hankow, necessitating the evacuation of the Japanese residents’. Following a mob attack on the marines, hordes of laborers stormed tlie Japanese concession, necessitating the landing of two hundred Japanese marines, who drove the mob from the concession. The clash resulted in the deaths of seven Chinese, and injuries to a number of marines. Five Japanese marines were carried off by the mob, and their whereabouts is unknown. A marine was later found dead, floating in the river, in a mutilated condition. The Chinese surrounded the concession, but were held back by the marines. The Japanese Admiral refused a rejuest by the Chinese authorities to withdraw the marines, following which the Chinese guards of the Eighth Army surrounded the concession to check the mobs, but uistead, fired on the marines. Two destroyers and cruisers were despatched to Hankow to assist in the evacuation. Later reports state that tlie mob is getting out of hand. —A. and N.Z.C.A.

BRITISHERS IX THE INTERIOR

SAID TO NUMBER 200

Asked as to the number of British subjects in the interior of China, Sir Austen Chamberlain replied that he was reluctant to give an estimate because the numbers varied from day to day, but he thought they numbered not. more than 200. In regard to responsibility lor the outrages 'at Nan King, the British Consul-General there stated that the outstanding fact which could be proved beyond question was that the lootmu and killing were the work of Hunanese Nationalist soldiers in uniform. It was an established fact that foreigners were shot down in cold blooU by Nationalist soldiers, and it was equally established that practically every foreign house, including three consulates, was gutted, and at least eight foreign houses were burnt down, all by .Nationalist soldiers, llio looting continued for several days after March 24. Sir L. Woftliirigton-Evans, Secretary for War, replying in the House of Commons to a question about the 1 defence of the French concession at Shanghai, said that this had not been undertaken by the British defence force. In response, however, to an inquiry from the French commander as to whether if pressed he could call for British assistance, General Duncan had informed him he would co-operate if the French line were in danger-.—British Official Wireless.

FOREICNERS IN PERIL

HORRORS OF NANKING. RED EMISSARIES WORKING. (Received April 5, 7.30 p.m.) SHANGHAI, April 4. The situation generally is most disturbing, reports from all parts of the country telling of uprisings and outrages against all classes of foreign life and property, despite the presence of large bodies of international military and naval forces. The trouble appears, temporarily, to have reverted to Hankow and the river ports, and threatens to spread northwards to the treaty ports. Marshal Chang-Tsao-Ldn, military dictator of Manchuria, is desperatelv warring with the Cantonese in the Anhwei province to stem the Red tide but his victories are counterbalanced by the activities of plain clothes agitators, who are striving for a repetition of the Nanking outrages at Peking and Tientsin, and at other places where foreigners are congregated. Evacuation continues everywhere. / . ■ , . . Later details of the Nanking outrages equal tlie horrors of the Boxer rebellion. These were mainly committed by uniformed coolies upon white women and girls, principally Americans and Japanese women, "lie reports of these, and other indecencies have aroused the ind Auction of foreigners .throughout China to a high pitch of fury. ' , „ ~ The arrival Jii> Hankow, frotn ton, of..'tii©international. Labor delegates * Messrs ■Manir. Browder, Wor-. iot, prompted a , revival of the. antifnreign demonstrations. The aelc- ■ iunbiduirß: Russian sneakers,.

Sir Austen Chamberlain said there was no evidence for the fixing of responsibility for the events in Nanking' and elsewhere in China, Out the anti-fOreign feeling generally, and the anti-British feeling in particular was undoubtedly encouraged and stimulated from Moscow. He thought \t inexpedient to take further action on his Note or the Soviet reply at present. Answering further, questions, Sir Austen said he understood a Communist Government had been established provisionally in those parts of Shanghai outside the settlements but he was not clear on this point, though he had reason to understand that two Chinese Governments were more, or less established there. A FRIGID RETORT; CHAMBERLAIN HITS BACK. , The Foreign Minister declared that when Mr Eugene Chen said'the Cantonese were not responsible for the looting' and murders he said what was'Cohfcrnry to established facts. - Mr C. Lansburv asked whether the direct contradiction by Sir Austen Chamberlain of Mr Chen’s statements

2 li.iAV A-cc iv>eet?.?'!Ts dc-

nouncing Imperialism, and advocating the overthrow of the right Conservative wing of the Kuomintang.

A Japanese naval wireless from Hankow says that it is expected tho evacuation of all Japanese, except the staffs of two firms, which are surrounded by pickets, will he completed during the day. Twenty-five Japanese have taken refuge on the warship Bee. There are already five warships at Hankow, whilst three are hastening there and three are to leave to-morrow morning, escorting three Japanese steamers which are taking food supplies.—A.N.Z.C.A.

“LET NONE ESCAPE.”

RAID ON EXTREMISTS

CLEANING UP SHANGHAI

{Received April 5, 7.45 p.m.) SHANGHAI, April 4. Volunteers and police were mobilised. and surrounded and raided a notorious waterfront Mock of houses in the HankoW district. The police were hammering away at the houses, while the volunteers with machine guns and armoured cars, hell the streets. A force of a thousand strong, under an American volunteer officer, who received the order: “You must allow none to escape*. Use your r.ile butts first, but there must he no shooting unless definitely ordered, ' formed a double cordon round the block, containing hundreds of houses, in which the police believe the extremists’ arms and ammunition are stored. When the doors were not opened the police hammered their way into the houses or gained entry by many fire brigade ladders. There was great excitement among the Chinese crowd. The search is stated to he part of the programme for a rigorous cleaning up of the settlement, preparatory to advancing the military defence lines into Chinese territory. It ir- understood that the latter project will certainly occur if the Powers’ probable demands in connection with the Nanking affair are not fulfilled. A threat to invade and take over the Chinese city in the vieinitv of Shanghai may even he included, as preparatory to any ultimatum sent in connection with Nanking.

CHILDREN ABUSE JAPS

DISTURBANCE AT HANKOW

(Received April 5, 8.30 p.m.) SHANGHAI, April 4

A navv wireless from Hankow gives details of the mob rising on April 3. The disturbance was caused bv the Chinese children’s abuse of the Japanese bluejackets strolling on the Bund and the mob threateningly inwaded the concession. The Japanese warship landed two hundred marines and drove out the mob from the concession, which is now guarded by Nationalist troops. Everything was quiet at midnight. The Southern commander apologised to the Japanese Consul.—A.N.Z.C.A.

NATIONALISTS THRUST NORTH

MEETING HEAVY RESISTANCE REINFORCEMENTS BEING RUSHED UP WOUNDED REACHING NANKING ((Received April 6, 12.00 a.m.) SHANGHAI. April 5. The Nationalist thrust towards the Yellow River is now meeting resistance from the Northerners, who counter attacked and captured Kwantien after heavy fighting. The Nationalists are rushing up reinforcements. Two hundred wounded have arrived at Nanking.—A. and N.Z.C.A.