SHANGHAI RIOTS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 5 August 1925, Page 9

SHANGHAI RIOTS.

' BATTLE IN MAIN STREET. N.Z. GIRLS’ ACCOUNT. A Dunedin girl now resident in Shanghai, writing to a friend at Dunedin under date June 12th, says: — ‘‘Last time I wrote it was “war as usual’; then came ‘business as usual.’ And now we have a nice little riot and a miniature battle in the main, street, and a general strike and boycott of English and Japanese goods. “Everything was as usual, on Friday —not a sign or sound of any trouble — yet on Saturday, when we were at the races a few mile R out, we heard that there had been a riot and that students had been shot by bur police. That was on May 30, and this is June 12, and the trouble is still going strong, and likely to go stronger. RIOTERS GAVE NO WARNING. “The Chinese used no discrimination whatever, and attacked foreigners and stoned and smashed tram cars. This state of affairs has calmed down, as the streets are well patrolled by marines and volunteers of all, nationalities. Lewis guns are perched on the roofs of Nanking road buildings, ready for anything. “You will have read an account of the fighting in Tibet and Nanking roads. Bullets were flying about. The Chinese had a machine-gun hidden in their ‘new world’ buildings on the corner of Nanking road, and without a word comnieiicod firing into the street. Passers-by fled for shelter. Those p’nying tennis on the racecourse got a great fright, as the bullets went whizzing over their heads. Soldiers arrived and raided the building, but could find nothing, the Chinese having escaped by various routes. One mounted American was hit, and his horse was shot, while others scampered mad\y away. STRIKE FOLLOWS RIOT.

“Now it has changed from a, riot to a strike, which is rapidly spreading to all parts of China. All shops aire shuttered and barred, and ■ a foreigner cannot change a dollar at any exchange shop. The seamen have now struck, and this is crippling business comnletely. If they commence a boycott oi British and Japanese goods things will be serious. The students’ demands are preposterous, and now that the Chamber of Commerce has also, taken a hand, it is developing into a political affair. Delegations are arriving from Peking to go into the question. “The trouble started before the firing and the shooting of students on May H(). as the printed matter they were distributing must have been prepared days before. Houseboys have not yet struck, and are not anxious to, but unless they go their families are threatened. and it just amounts to how much intimidation they can stand. Many hotel boys have ‘eft, more from fear than desire. Al| coolies from the big works have left. They are just like sheer, following a leader who has promised to pay them their wages if they join the Strike. SIEGE CONDITIONS.

‘‘On ai; walls are posters in Chinese, and any commands put up are torn down immediately. There are pictures and sketches of a tortoise everywhere. This is supposed to he a great insult. Newspapers are cn strike, and our napers are being run by a foreign staff and typists. All markets are shut and the council is controlling the food supply. So far there have been no shortages, save in fresh meat. The Chinese will not allow cattle through, nor will thev work in the slaughterhouse.”