CHINESE TROUBLE.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 March 1927, Page 3

CHINESE TROUBLE.

[EY TELESRArn—PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.] CHAOTIC CONDITION'S. (Received this day at 0.30 a.m.) SHANGHAI, .March 23. Widespread chaos continues to r eign. Tlie foreign authorities are uuiihle to get into touch with General I’aiehinqhsi, Coimnander ol' the Cantonese forces, owing to a rahhle of tens of thousands of refugees and Nationalist gunmen swarming outside the settlement border. However, as lie has now taken up his headquarters just outside the French selti'ement border it is hoped soon lo get into communication with him. and secure an amelioration of the chaos. The general is a moderate Nationalist, strongly opposed to extremist methods. It, was while attempting to reach General Paiehinghsi, to seek his intervention for the evacuation of live thousand children from the burning Anglo-T’reneli convent cluipel that Johnson and fleywood got i'nto trouble. A truculent mob swarmed over their car. Some advised kili'iug them, and others slitting their throats. Revolvers and rifles were pointed at them from all directions, some pressing against them. Finally a prominent official managed to convince the crowd that their mission was peaceful, hut before ho was allowed to go. Johnson was compelled to sign a statement that be was sorry he bad introduced a member of the British Army into Chinese territory, without the Nationalists’ permission. The incident is typical of the risks that must be taken by negotiators outside the confines of the international Settlement.

BRITISH TROOPS ATTACKED. (Received this dav at '3.30 n.r0.l SHANGHAI. March 23. Durham Light Infantry defending the Northern boundary of the International Settlement were attacked at twilight by a large force of mixed Chinese, including plain clothes Cantonese troops and Vocal labour agitators. Four defenders were wounded. The Durhams replied with machine guns and it is estimated killed forty and wounded many. The situation is increasing in gravity. Guerilla warfare in .the native quarter was resumed on a large scale. Regulars of the Nationalist army were sent to clear out Shantung

stragglers. Plain clothes Cantonese guerillas who terrorised Chnnei District by street lighting and anarchy generally in the past two days are now faced with the task of suppressing guerillas and armed labour agitators, representing the extremist section of the Kuomintang. Shanghai General Labour Union is reported to have distributed arms in huge quantities to thousands of new recruits in the labour ranks. There is a prospect of a prolonged struggle between Canton regulars and plain clothes’ agitators, which means a dispute betweii the left- and right wing of the Kuoihintang, which commenced at Hankow, has been transferred to the Shanghai area. Both foreign settlements are comparatively (piiet and a fair amount jjf business is being transacted. The strike is incomplete and is reported to be called off. Five thousand foreigners, a majority of Japanese, Portuguese and a coi’.siderable number of British, were ordered to evacuate on area approximate to the native quarter. No official statement was offered, but the order is interpreted as a preliminary measure to an expedition into the native quarter to dislodge snipers, who are busier. though there are fewer casualties than yesterday.

OFFICIAL REPORTS. LONDON, March 23. There is a distinct tendency in official circles to commend the behaviour of the Cantonese in Shanghai. News received at Whitehall show clashes in the' settlement are chiefly caused by fleeing Shantung forces and stragglers, not by the incoming Cantonese. Most | of the trouble is caused by a breakdown of the arrangements for the surrender and disarming of Shantung forces. Regular Cantonese troops only reached the northern station of Shanghai yesterday. Rushes on the entrances of the settlement were all made by Shangtungites whose flight was chiefly due to a desire to retain their rifles. Shantung troops are notoriously the worst ruffians in China.. When they saw the Cantonese occupation was inevitable numbers fled with their rifles which will probabi'y enable them to establish businesses on their own account ns bandits. Few Shantungites were killed by rifle fire from British points. Later three hun_ dred surrendered to the British and twelve hundred to the Japanese stntoned at Hangchow Park. Official quarters welcome the passages manifest by Ceneral Pnichingsi. the Southerners’ Chief of Stall' at Shanghai, in which he appeals to the people to realise attacks on foreigners will not help the Nationalist cause. British and Japanese Consul-Generals and Chairman of Chinese Chamber of Commerce are forming a deputation to the Cantonese Commander to-day to induce him to put, down sniping and rioting by hands of undisciplined civilian Cantonese supporters within the .settlement;

SH ANG HAI HAP PE NINOS (Received this day at 8 n.m.' . , SHANGHAI, March ‘23. The situation appears easier in the native districts where the nationalist regualars are gradually taking matters in hand. A small body of northerners are still holding out and some are firing hut Chinese shops are beginning to reopen . A tour of the northern bnuiidries of the settlements where clashes occurred yesterday between chmese and foreign troops reveal everything quiet. The (Midstreams relieved‘the Durhams at Markham road bridge where American marine reinforcements were sent, owing to a fear that southern svmpatliisers*~would attempt to blow up t he structure. The strike situation is little changed, excepting that Chinese employed in the Customs joined the strike to a man, under intimidating tin eats of what would happen if they were disobedient, 'and to their families. Hus and the Postal strike, is the Past straw to break the back of what little tmei<rn trade was doing under the present " disturbed condition. The postal strike is especially serious, as all mteinatio 4.1 mail is held up.

SHANGHAI LOSSES. Received this day at 8 a.ni.) SHANGHAI. March 23. The estimate of Chinese casualties ( as a result of yesternight’s incidents at the northern barricades is oO to iui killed or wounded. Southern Hoop. , now in the vicinity of Shang.iai are believed to total 6000. including 2,C armed civilians who oecupiedthe ofiic ml buildings and .are carrying out various nctivites in Chinese territory. Cmuigkaishik went down the river and is believed to have reached Nanking. 1 ioclnmations were issued m his name, calling on Chinese to protect foreign lives and property. _____