CANTON SLAUGHTER

Grey River Argus, 27 June 1925, Page 5

CANTON SLAUGHTER

FOREIGNERS BLAMED By The Governor THE FEELING AGAINST BRITAIN. (Received June 26 at 10.30 p.m.) PEKIN - , June 26. It is announced the Government is considering - many demands for a severance ->f relations with Britain, meanwhile the Foreign Office has sent Notes to the Treaty Powers demanding a revision of the treaties in tlio interests of national equality and per manent peace. HONG KONG, June 25. I’he civil governor of Canton in n note to the British Consul General states, inter alia : In reference to the procession in Shanghai, when it hau almost entirely passed Shake Street, soldiers and police in the British concession suddenly opened lire v. machine guns and rifles on the crowd' in the procession on the other sides of the carnal, whereupon the soldiers and police hi the French conccss.on likewise fired, while the Portuguese gunboat fired its big guns, killing anti wounding over a hundred. I h-s brutal killing was premeditated aim secretly planned. When lie (the Civil Governor) heard the particulars he was arnaaed and was in cut) bound to enter a most serious pro test as well as t<» state clearly that the. entire responsibility for the affair rested upon the civil and ni-b--tary officials, British. Frcmh am: Portuguese soldiers and police ami the. gunboat concerned. A BRITISH REPLY. CHINESE BLAMED. HONG KONG, Jun,- 25. The British Consul-General in his reply points out. that the Portuguese gunboat took mi part. It was the defence forces of the concession alone that replied to an attack made mi them by the Chinese on the other side of the canal. He continues ■I can say from the evidence of our own eves' that the firing was first started" by th.- Chinese. He and the senior naval officer were present tot the purpose of preventing precipitate action on the part of the defeiideis, and he and the naval officer barely escaped with their lives from thof bullets directed at them by th. Chinese. It was only then in sell defence that fire was opened I rum Shameen and by the French forces which were. :sirnila<rly attackeu. He repudiates the charge that, responsibility rests with foreigners and asks the Civil Governor io take complete measures to safe-guard the lives of th.- Britishers around Canton. OTHER VERSIONS. PEKIN June 25. The French Minister m a note, states he regrets to bring to the knowledge of the Chinese Government that following the demonstrations at Canton on June 22, the de monstrators aaid soldiers fired upon the English and French concessions, and a French merchant was killed by a shot, from a Chinese hand. The note adds: Reports from the Commandant of the French naval forces make it clear that the responsibility falls entirely on the Chinese .He (the Minister) is consequently compelled to protest and reserve the right for the French Government to demand reparation . CANTON, June 2->. One Shameen official states that Tuesdav’s actual attack was made by Shameen students led by Russian Itol sheviks. Following them were three thousand soldiers disguised as Yunnainese labourers. Almost immedmt”lv twenty concealed machine g.vms opened fire upon the mob, hammering at the gates of Shameen, decimating them as they came forward. The mob reeled and fell back in confusion exposing innocent spectator behind them for a time to the terrific fire, which had been conceit rated upon the actual attackers. Atl-.-i this ceased sniping continued toi some time, then suddenly Evidence from all quarters is t->a it was not a peaceful procession but a, thoroughly organised military at ta< An eve-witness says: Even the littlc b o ys in the procession jumpe about Hke Dervishes, drnuinv - across threats and bod.es mdu atm what thev would do with »s rto shouting in W'sli and I-rench . '■ Kill foreigners.'’ As the .processio passed the French concession ' n was well guarded and is opposite .he Emdish concession, where ticic w. immediately opened lire w thereupon return'9 - A message Hom £e 'but took no adequate steps to --th-sponsibi-lity r Tbe town lim , X"protected by gunboats and troops. e,SCW ' el mt rmatiou of a widespr.-.m tamed m ,| re m otor ems Pl °l‘ f s l StUC m-ouud the settlement, and dash . hoo ting. Ihe police hav . t() known eustO ’ ,ire C Volunteers and specials SeiXd distrihuted at ocea

mg Shanghai. The N.Y.K. has supending sailing from Shanghai, exeept two fast mail boats, pending th< approval of the Government BIG PEKIN DEMONSTRATION. PEKIN. June 25. There was a large demonstration here to-dav which included studmits. merchants, workmen, Catholics. I'm testants and Mohammedans. Fenm » the banners were inscribed, -Dem.m War Against England,' ’ ano ■ the slogans was “Death to the lish Brigands!” Nevertheless th appeared to bo less enthusiasm toand excitement. ' Numerous Chinese troops and Hee guarded foreign houses shops Z UPt tHe Parade under option. but there was no d.stu.ba AT OTHER CENTRES PEKTN, J" ,,e -■ wuhu reports that the food boye: f maintaining er - (lie Ame rican TeConnaek arrived, order gunboat, M guarding the foreign quarter. are guard ng and forelßll a uAt Amov Ch, ”^ eriljtinK and the tjhorfcies are eo-opeialtmg situation is satisfactory.