SCHEMING SOVIET

Northern Advocate, 7 April 1927, Page 5

SCHEMING SOVIET

PEKING EMBASSY RAIDED

WEAPONS OF WAR UNEARTHED CHARGE D’AFFAIRES DETAINED . (United Press Association —Copyright.) (Received 9 a.m.) PEKING, April 6. Acting on the signed authorisation of the Diplomatic Corps, a body of Chang Tso-lin’s troops and armed police raided the Soviet Embassy. One shot was fired, after which a Russian was! 'dragged. out, hound, and carried off in a motor car. So far six Russians and about a score of Chinese have been removed to the police station. A machine gun, 15 rifles and a quantity of ammunition have been removed from the Embassy. It is understood that the Soviet Charge Id’Affaires and other officials have been detained there. Chang Tso-lin’s officers and troops still occupy the building.—A. and N.Z.

FUNDS FROM RUSSIA

VIA CONSTANTINOPLE.

UNDER GUISE OF COMMERCE.'

LONDON, April 5,

The Constantinople correspondent of the ‘ ' Times ’ ’ says he has learned that Moscow is transmitting substantial sums to the Cantonese via Constantinople, from which centre the money is being telegraphed to different merchants in China as pretended payment for goods bought by Turkish merchants. It is stated that 100,000 dollars has been thus transmitted during the past week. .<

PROPAGANDIST CHARGE

NEWS WRITERS IN CUSTODY,

PEKING, April '5. The Chinese police have arrested Mr Wilbur Burton and Mrs Mildred Mitchell, American news writers, on charges of being propagandists for the National Government, tending to overthrow the constituted authorities •and incite the public of Peking to disorder.

'The alleged propagandists are guarded at their hotel by Chinese police, pending their being handed over to the United States authorities. Both prisoners were ‘ formerly employed -on Shanghai newspapers.

EXODUS ORDER

ALL JAPANESE RESIDENTS,

TOKIO, April 5,

The Japanese Government ha|f duelded on the policy of the withdrawal ■of all Japanese residents in the inferior of China, pending settlements, and is not depending on chaotic China for protection of Japanese nationals or holding the non-existent Chinese 'Government responsible for mob action.

The Cabinet has decided that this is the best method of rendering assistance to her neighbour, pending a final definite negotiation of new treaties or the establishment of a Government •able to take control.

Japanese residents in the interior of -China and at Hankow have already "been ordered to leave the country, .•and will be taken aboard Government •ships. Japanese warships will remain ■’in all ports in China, guarding Japanese property. ARBITRATION REFERENCE. TIRGED BY LABOURITES. LONDON, April 5. 'The Labour National Joint Council, at a meeting held in the House of 'Commons, passed a resolution appealing to the Government, in view of contradictory reports from Nanking, to refrain from presenting the Chinese ■authorities with anything in the nature of an ultimatum based on expartc statements, the rejection of which would lead to a state of warfare, and demanding that the Government should immediately open negotiations, in the event of a disagreement, to submit outstanding points to an arbitration tribunal under the aegis of the League of Nations, also undertaking not to make claims on China except in accordance with the tribunals decision.

INTER-TRADING,

SIX YEARS’ STATISTICS,

(Received 9 a.m.) LONDON, April 6,

In the House of Commons, Sir Philip Cunliffe-Lister, President of the Board of Trade, in the course of a written reply regarding Britain’s exports to China showed the, returns for each year from 1920 to 1925 inclusive. They were respectively £41,7(11,000, £24,833,000, £21,837,000, £17.290,000, £19,082,000 and £13,535,000. The im-

ports, in the same order, were as follow: £4,238,000, £1,374,000, £1,910,000, £2,133,000 £2,952,000 and £2,253,000,—A. and N.Z,

CARRIAGE REFUSED. BY SHIPPING ASSOCIATIONS. (Received 10,51 a.m.) BERLIN, April 6. The Association of German Shipownand the East Asian Union have de* /’cided not to accept shipments of war JMtefihl for China,—A,N,Z. and Sun.

STRIKE AND BOYCOTT

SITUATION EXTREMELY GRAVE,

(Received 11 a.m.) SHANGHAI, April 6.

A general strike and a boycott of all foreign goods.in the entire Yangtse Valley has commenced and the situation is rapidly becoming graver. All Japanese are evacuating the region. Warships of the international fleets are rushing to the , important sports and a large fleet is concentrating at Hankow, where the Japanese Admiral has sworn on his word of honour to prevent "Chinese trespass in the Japanese concession. He proposes to maintain the dignity of the Imperial Japanese. The present strength of the Japanese landing party at Hankow is 300 and is being hurriedly reinforced. 'The cruiser Tentyu is en route.

A wireless from Nanking says that anti-foreign feeling is still evident. Foreign houses are being looted. A Northern aeroplane dropped, two bombs in Pukow and three in Nanking city.—A. and N.Z.

TRENCH REINFORCEMENTS.

CRUISER AND TROOPS,

(Received IO.'SO a;m.) PARTS, April 6,

The “Echo de Paris’’ states that Cabinet is considering despatch to ('Shanghai of another cruiser and 600 troops.—A. and N.Z.

REPORT DOUBTED,

IN 'OFFICIAL CIRCLES,

(Received 2.5 pun.) LONDON, April 6,

The Foreign Office has not received confirmation of the raid on the Soviet Embassy in Peking. Official circles question the truth of the report and doubt the suggestion that the Diplomatic 'Corps gave specific authorisation.

Ordinarily no warrants may be executed within the settlement without the diplomats'’ signature, which as a rule is automatically granted; Otherwise criminals could very easily find sanctuary in the settlements and defy the police. In the present disturbed conditions, however, the Diplomatic Corps would be sure to examine every request, all the Powers being equally anxious to avoid the appearance of partisanship.

It is unofficially suggested that most probably application was made to raid some buildings where Russians were housed. The diplomats would feel bound to consent to an act which the Chinese authorities represented as essential, but it is very doubtful if they would eouseift to a deliberate raid on the Russian Embassy.—-A.N.’Z.