TROUBLE IN CHINA

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 13 July 1925, Page 5

TROUBLE IN CHINA

SHANGHAI EVENTS

'By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright ) (Australian & N.Z. Cable Association.)

LONDON, July 12

The Observer, regarding the troubles in China, says the British Government’s view is that a final impartial verdict on the Shanghai events should be pronounced as soon as possible. Since the investigations started in Shanghai they were thwarted by the Chinese attempt to open irrelevant issues, and since those started Pekin have thus far been delayed by a refusal of the Chinese to participate there may be a ease for a new international enquiry. By whatever means, however, the British Government would welcome a verdict and abide by it. whether or not it involved censure of any British official. BEK IN, July 10

The movement of strikers from Hong Kong nt Canton liasi ended as the crews of Hong Kong and Canton steamers have been called off in order to break off all communications. Food is scarce in Can l on and prices are soaring.

PEKIN, July 11

The French Minister resigned from the commission appointed by the powers to negotiate regarding thy Shanghai affair. The French Legation issued an explanation that a divergence on interpretation had arisen between the diplomatic body and the Shanghai municipal council as to the powers of the council and in what relation it stands to the legations at Pekin. The legations hold the opinion that the powers of the council are purely of an administrative nature and the power of international settlement rests with the interested Governments wince representatives at Shanghai are- consuls subject to the authority of the legations, while the municipal council holds that it is only responsible to the ratepayers. The French .Minister considers that pending the settlement of this controversy it. is useless to start negotiations. Canton reports that inflammatory posters were displayed depicting Indian soldiers killing Chinese, with weeping women and children watching the massacre, also many official pictures of the dead, including women and children. Th<> ciiy is quiet but there is reason to believe that further trouble is brewing. NEWS FROM CANTON CANTON, July 10. It is reported that the commander of the Whampoa cadets submitted to the Chinese plans with a view to the capture of Shameen and Kowloon simultaneously, with the assistance of expert Russian aviators, which could he done at the expense, of a thousand Chinese lives. Expert military opinion declares ill it Sharneen defences render the concession tenable against all possible attacks on the part of the Chinese with the forces now at their disposal.

SITUATION AT SHANGHAI MORE HOPEFUL PEKIN. July 10. The situation at Shanghai is more hopeful. There is believed to be a shortage of strike funds. The Union approached the Chamber of Commerce and banks for funds to carry on. It is understood that they are,ordering the men to resume work for other than British and Japanese with a view to culling down the expenditure. Growing dissension is reported among the strike leaders owing to alleged misappropriation of money. 'Hie day was quiet, though intimidation and kidnapping continue. The Irani situation has improved. Fengtien, commander of the Shanghai-Woosung defence force, and the chief of the constabulary, jointly issued a proclamation exhorting the strikers to resume avocations, and warning loafers disturbing the peace that they will be severely punished.

RUMOUR ED A N,01.0-JAPA XESI ARRANGEMENT (Sun Cable )

TOKIO, Julv 12

Ihe Rrilish Ambassador is credited by the press with having proposed a working agreement with Japan bv which the two would cooperate, in protecting British interests in South and Central China, and Japanese interests in Manchurch. It is reported that. Shideliara. has agreed to (lie principle, but is not committed to details pending information as to how Washington would view such an arrangement. Official information was refused. Shideliara. explaining that the Chinese question was one of the greatest importance.

311SS10NARIES A SS A U RTF D PEKIN, July .12. Cantonese soldiers lorciblv entered the English Presbyterian Mission at Wukinglu and beat a missionary, whom they stripped naked and wounded with knives. .1 hev also beat and insulted two ladv missionaries.

Missionaries from Wukingfu, after remaining in hiding several hours, went to Swutow, where they arrived exhausted. The British Consult, at Swatow is domunding punishment of those guilty of the offences, an apology, and compensation for loss and damage.