RAID ON CONCESSIONS

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 6 January 1927, Page 9

RAID ON CONCESSIONS

THE HANKOW AFFAIR

SIMILAR EVENTS EXPECTED GRAVE PERIL TO FOREIGNERS. BY CABLE—PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT. Received noon to-day. SHANGHAI, Jan. 5. The Hankow disturbances were due to the smallness of the British forces available, the present naval strength consisting of only 250 men. Admiral Cameron, officer commanding, reports that unless permission is granted to fire he is unable to cope with the situation. Vice-Admiral Sir E. S Alexander-Sinclair, commander-in-chief at Hongkong, consequently wired instructions to fire, if necessary, without regard for consequences. Low water prevents the larger warships proceeding to Hankow, which is completely in the hands or the Chinese, who occupy the principal administrative building. They have driven British residents from the concession, and have closed the foreign stores. Looting may he expected unless military intervention occurs. Admiral Cameron states that the mob was in the mood for a massacre of civilians had the marines opened fire. Thev would have been able to handle the situation if they had been allowed to use machine guns. The cooperation of the Chinese military is not expected ; on the contrary, it is believed "tbev are fostering the agitation in order to secure control of the concession. The Hankow events are expected to have a repercussion in the whole of the Yangtsze valley. Hankow Britishers are at present taking refuge in other foreign concessions, hnt a civilian evacuation is likely. Kiukiang is already being evacuated bv women and children in expectation of similar incidents The situation is fraught with the gravest peril to foreigners residing at river oorts and in the interior cities. The Hankow incident reouires drastic foreign stops, otherwise Shanghai will fare likewise when the Cantonese arrive. which is inevitable. Owing to the seriousness of events : 'i China. Afr MaoMmrny. the United Qfo+nx Alinister in China, has been remd'orl to Washington for a conference. Earn khan, the Soviet ambassador in T>n 1,-in or. l's ving the ''npitnl to establish his headquarters at Wimhang, the southerners’ new administration centre. DESTROYER FLOTTLLA READY. Received 1.45 p.m. to-dav. LONDON, Jan. 5. The Admiralty has announced that the Eighth Destroyer Flotilla has been brought to full strength for possible service in the Far East. It consists of eight destroyers, under Flotilla-Leader Bruce. It is normally manned by twofifths of its complement.

IN EXTREME DANGER BRITISH COMMUNITY" AT HANIvO'W. SAFETY DEFENDS ON CHINESE TROOPS. Received 2.15 p.m. io-day. LONDON, Jan. 5. ‘•British community her© is in extreme -danger,’ cables Sir'.Forcival Phillips, from Hankow to the Daily Mail. 1 ‘llieir safety solely depends oil the Chinese military, which lias taken no measures to check fanaticism. The British naval force was ready t>o- land when the Cantonese Commission of Foreign Affairs -sent -a message declaring that if a single shot were fired the Chinese troops, which could not- he depended upon, would attack the concession. Native police to-day refused duty. Labour pickets 'a.re now patrolling the streets. Chinese stoned a marine who was returning to his ship. A Chinese guard escorted Mr. Groffe, Consul-General, to the consulate. A mass meeting of workers demanded that the Cantonese Government should give Mr. Goffe seventy-two hours to apologise and to disarm the volunteers and police guilty of wounding and killing Chinese, otherwise a general strike would, he proclaimed and the concession block ailed. —Sydney Sun Cable.