STRIKE AND BOYCOTT

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12169, 20 June 1925, Page 5

STRIKE AND BOYCOTT

LATEST MOVE IN SHANGHAI FOREIGNERS FEARFUL OF WORSE SITUATION CRITICAL By Telegraph.—Pree» Assn.— Copyright Reuters Telegram (Received June 19, 11.45 p.m.) PEKING, June 19. A message from Shanghai states that a mass meeting of students and working citizens at Kwangtung University decided to call a general strike, and also declared a general boycott of British, Japanese, and American goods. The date of the strike is unknown, but it probably will be the 20th or the 22nd. . . It is feared that anti-foreign outbreaks will follow. _ • , After several meetings of representatives of the Chinese Government and the interested Powers at Shanghai to discuss the situation and endeavour to find a solution of the difficulties, the negotiations were broken off, owing to the divergence of views which developed. The Chinese delegation presented a series of demands, which the foreign representatives insisted they were not authorised to deal with. The Chinese were insistent in pressing these matters, consequently a deadlock occurred, and the foreign delegates returned to Peking. A wireless message from Shanghai says that the agitation has again flared up, and the situation is critical. The British Consul forced to leave the Consulate, and™ as taken up his residence in the ■Lungmen Temple. British residents wore stoned and assault-

ed in ihe streeta. The warship Teal is protecting the Asiatic Petroleum Company’s installation. There is no news from Amoy and Foochow. The position at Kiukiang is improving, and Hankow is quiet. SHOP WINDOWS SMASHED. Other reports from Shanghai state that the shipping strike is becoming worse. The Pootung wharf coolies struck, and 90 per cent, of the Shanghai Tug and Lighter Company’s lightermen are out. Ninety ex-members of the municipal police led a huge procession, which smashed the windows of shops containing British and Japanese goods, until Chang Such-liang’s troope interfered and subdued the crowd. Subsequently the rioters sent a delegation to ask Chang Such-Hang to throw in his lot with the strikers. Chang counselled prudence and patience. Late last night the strikers set fire to the Japanese cotton mill at Kungdah, but the police extinguished it, and little damage was done. At Hongkong some of the older students at Queen’s College struck in, sympathy with the Shanghai movement, The parents of others escorted them to the college as a precaution against possible intimidation. The feeling amongst the leading local Chinese interests is strongly against Hongkong being involved in the strike troubles. HIGH TENSION IN PEKING Despite the official statements that every effort would be made to prevent anti-foreign riots, nothing is being done to hinder dangerous and inflammamtory agitation. Thousands of incendiary and .provocative posters have been posted throughout Peking, depicting the British police shooting and bayonetting defenceless students, and women and children lying on the ground. The vernacular papers mostly refuse to print jeliable telegrams, and are inserting absurdly garbled versions of events. Two brigades of the War Minister’s Mukden troops have arrived in the vicinity of Peking. It is explained that they will act aa a special guard for the Chief Executive. Chang Tso-liri also sent a battalion for special police duty. JAPANESE FOR PEACE.

TOKIO, June 18. A conference of the Associated Chambers of Commerce passed a resolution that the Government, co-operating with the Powers, should take the necessary steps to ensure the early restoration of peace in Chinn. It was agreed to telegraph to the Chinese Chambers of Commerce at Shanghai requesting that the best efforts be made for the early restoration of naace.