SEIZED BY CHINESE

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 18 August 1927, Page 5

SEIZED BY CHINESE

A BRITISH AEROPLANE. NEGOTIATIONS FAIL. RETALIATORY STEPS TAKEN. V CAbI.K -PRESS ASSOCIATION -COPYR'IIiHI Received 11.40 a.in. to-day. SHANGHAI. Aiy. 17. The detention by the Chinese of a British military aeroplane which was forced to land in Chinese territory, was the subject of negotiations which were reported yesterday to be proceeding between the British Consul and the Chinese Commissioner for Foreign Affairs. No .satisfactory conclusion was reached, and the Consul departed, after warning the Commissioner that unless the aeroplane's wings were released by 11 o’clock this morning steps would be taken of a retaliatory nature in order to ..secure satisfaction.

An official statement issued isays:— At the time stated, no isuch instructions had been issued by the Commissioner of Foreign Affairs, the general officer commanding the North. China Command. General Duncan, therefore ordered that posts south of Hangchow railway and south of Soochow Greek, to he occupied as from 2 o’clock this afternoon, and at 4 o’clock the railway will be cut at a level crossing immediately south of Soochow Creek, which, orders were being carried out. This point of the railway, adjacent to a large British encampment, has been picketed since the earliest arrival of the Shanghai defence force. It is a strategic point in focal military communications and an open railway along this line is vital in the present military crisis which is developing in Shanghai.