RIOTS IN CHINA

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14817, 26 April 1910, Page 5

RIOTS IN CHINA

ORGANISED BANDS AT WORK. FOREIGNERS SEEKING REFUGE. Presß Association—By Tekgrapk—Copyright. PEKING; April 24. The British Consul has returned to Chang-sha. He declares that there are organised bands of rioters in the neighbourhood. All foreigners have taken refuge on the two British warships, SITUATION STILL SERIOUS. A NARROW ESCAPE. TRIBUTE TO THE BRITISH CONSUL. y PEKING, April 25. (Received April 25,. at 9.55 p.m.) Chang-sha is quiet, but the situation is precarious, and the vicinity is extremely disaffected. < The British Consul circularised the reon the 18th inst. empnasising the statement .by the officials that if one foreign life was lost during the riots'the whole province would havo risen, and that it only awaited tha word ' from Chang-sha. Although the scarcity of rice was the immediate cause of the outbreak, the Hunaneso anti-foreign . feeling, coupled with the evidence of the Chang-sha refugees concerning 'the growing intolerance of the people in recent years, has been highly significant. The refugees pay a glowing tribute to Mr Hewlett, who from the 13th till* the 17th. when the Thistle'arrived, went practically sleepless. It was largely due to his efforts that no foreigner was killed. 'Somo of the nativo military officials stood firm and helped the foreigners to escape.