SITUATION IN CHINA

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19501, 9 June 1925, Page 7

SITUATION IN CHINA

A GENERAL IMPROVEMENT. EXD OF STRIKE IK SIGHT. Press Association —By Telegraph —Copyright. PEKING, June 7. The morning newspapers think that the end of the strike is within sight. Certainly there has been a remarkable change in the general atmosphere. The Chinese in the streets arc beginning to fraternise •with the volunteers. This is mainly due to the impending departure from Peking of the diplomatic representatives, which will lead to discussions by which the Chinese are expected to settle the troubles, big and small, when the momentary excitement passes. The situation, however, is still delicate, and little, would be required to revive the fires of racial an tagonism, which the extremists are continually fanning. One of the outstanding features of the riots was the loyalty of the Chinese volunteers, despite bitter attacks by the vernacular press, while only ICO out of 16C0 Chinese police failed to withstand the strain of continual vituperation heaped on them at every point by ..he strikers. ' . The arrival at Chin-kiang of the United States warship Paul Jones last night synchronised with the abatement of the riots, which apparently have not been renewed. To-day’s reports state that the situation is quiet. A brief wireless message says that the students are working up a strike at Kiukiang; but no details are available.—Reuter. OUTBREAK IN CANTON. SERIOUS DEVELOPMENTS. YUNNANESE SHOW FIGHT. , PEKING, June 7. Advices from Canton state that while protesting loyalty to the principles of Sun-Yat-sen and Kuo-Ming-tang, the \ unnanese generals Yang-Hsi-min and Lau Chun-waa, presented a demand to the authorities to order a. cessation of troop movements in the Eastern and Northern River districts, otherwise they would take the necessary measures to resist them. The authorities replied denouncing their insubordination, and dismissing them and appointing Chu-Pei-teh acting-commander of the Y unnancse forces. This is a virtual declaration of war. Yang-Hsi-min seized a Government telephone and telegraph office and a light plant. The telegraph line to Hongkong is cut near Shek-lung. Barricades have been erected for the entire length of the Bund. The Yunnancse facing the Cantonese barricaded the Island of Honan across the river. The authorities command the river, and the Yuimanese control the Canton side entirely. General Hsu-Chun-cbi’s Cantonese army is approaching from Shek-lung. The main body of Yang-Hsi-min's troops is advancing in opposition. Cliu-Pei-teh, with loyal Yunnaneso and Honanese, is approaching from the north, and Lau-Chun-wan is advancing to resist him. The Baptist (Mission schools at Tungshan have been closed, and the foreign women and children are leaving. It is greatly feared that Kno-Ming-tang will call a general strike. A further message says that fighting began in the afternoon. All the gunboats are now going up the river to Shamed!, and are firing directly on. the Bund. A later message states that a gunboat passed Shameen but did not fire on the concession. It headed around Honan. Rifle and machine gun fire was opened from both sides of the river near the cement works. The firing practically ceased late in the afternoon. All the Hongkong boats left during the fighting. —Reuter, NOTE FROM THE POWERS. CHINESE CONTENTION DISPUTED. PEKING, June 7. The Italian Minister handed a Note to the Chinese Government acknowledging the reception of the Chinese Note of J une 4 relative to the disorders in Shanghai. While remarking that the reports received by the Chinese Government are incomplete, since they do not mention several attacks on foreigners, the Note states that the Powers reserve judgment till the arrival of fuller details. To this end the diplomatic representatives concerned had decided to send to Shanghai a delegation to study the situation. The Note declares that the authorities in the International Concession, far from having assumed the violent attitude which the Chinese Government seems to attribute to them, have preserved the greatest self-control. This was proved during the last four days when, despite numerous provocative acts, no serious incident had occurred in Shanghai. The Note renews the assurance that the police /in the International Concession always had instructions to use their arms only if they were attacked and were in immediate danger. These orders had been renewed, and would be strictly observed. —Reuter. JAPANESE DESTROYERS. TOKIO, June 7. Four additional destroyers have bean despatched U> Shanghai, while two others have been sent to Canton. —A. and N.Z. Cable.