CHINESE STRIKE

Grey River Argus, 25 June 1925, Page 5

CHINESE STRIKE

FIRING AT CANTON Follows Demonstration (Aus. and N.Z. Cable Association.) PEKIN. June 23. 'This afternoon thousands of students, workmen citizens and sol diers paraded along the Bund in Canton, and around Shameenj. When opposite the Victoria hotel in the British concession, firing began. English and French marines replied with machine guns. The firing lasted twenty minutes, the Chinese soldier-, firing from the west Bund. A French merchant, J. Pasquier, was killed, and the Commissioner of Customs Arthur Edwards, one British marine and two civilians wounded. Opinion is unanimous that the first shots came from the Chinese. At Chinkiang, strikers stoned th--Japanese Consul, who demanded an apology, intimating that otherwise strong action would be taken. An Anglo-Japanese boycott is operating at Nanking. At Wuhu students are intimidating the com pra dore's who are consequently refusing supplies to Anglo. Japanese ' warships. Unconfirmed private telegrams from Wuchow and Kwantung stat? that a Japanese Customs Commissioner was killed and two other Japanese injured . Shanghai reports state that the coolies, who were loading cargo demanded an advance in wages. The agents refused the demand, and brought Russians to work. They are guarded by armed Annamite coolies. s Trouble was threatened but the police managed to control the sittutaion. A number of ocean going vessels are held up by the strike. • The Government has proclaimed . martial law in the Chinese Suburbs and prohibited propaganda. They have also confiscated arms and ammunition .

Signor Cerruti', the Italian Ambassador on behalf of the interested Powers handed a reply to the Chin, ese Foreign Office to the Chinese Note. The reply regrets the Goveiji meat has taken up an attitude regarding recent incidents directly opposed to established facts and such us will not facilitate a friendly settlement . It disclaims any responsibility on the part of the Powers for delaying a settlement. THE CANTON SHOOT...GS. PEKIN, June 21. It appears that the demonstration at Canton on June 23rd was comparatively peaceful until a section of the demonstrators suddenly fired, killing a Frenchman and wound’ ng some Britishers. British seamen, seeing the ConsulGeneral and a British senior naval officer under fire, discharged their rifles, but the naval officer ten ordered them to cease fire. The firing from Canton ceased. Order was restored. AUSTRALIAN CRUISER. WHAT IS SHE DOING THERE? (Received June 24 at 11.5 p.m.) ! MELBOURNE, June 24. In the Federal House of Represent.’ htives, Mr Brennan asked the Minister of Defence whether the cruiser “ Brisbane” was at present operating in Chinese waters, and also whether any other Australian war vessels are there. The Minister asked for notice of the question to be given. AMOY SITUATION CONSULS ASK FOR WARSHIPS. PEKIN June 24. According to a Honk Kong message it is reported from Amoy uiat «he situation here is graver, owing to the students insisting on a demonstration against foreigners in the international settlement. Chinese authorities are of opinion that they are able to control the situation, but the English, American ana Japanese consulates have requested the Government to detail warships to Amoy 'to stand by. Meanwhile, five hundred British and foreign women and children have i left Shameen for Hongkong aboard the. British steamer Hon am. The East Surrey regimeint has been* ordered to stand by. NATIONAL CONFER BOYCOTT OF BRITISH REPORTED (Received June 24 at 11.5 p.m.) PEKIN, June 24. There arc sighs here of an. increns- 1 cd anti-British boycott. The Cabinet have decided to issue orders authorising procedure regarding a. National Delegates Conference. It is expected Tuanchiyui will shortly issue a circular telegram emphasising the importance of holding elections for the conference as early ns possible.