TROUBLED CHINA

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20288, 22 December 1927, Page 11

TROUBLED CHINA

CLEARING OUT THE REDSMERCHANTS FACE LOSSES. (Pres* Association—By Telegraph —Copyright.) SHANGHAI, December 20. The first shipload of expelled Russians has left Shanghai for Vladivostock. It comprised seventeen Russian families and the members of the consular staff. The steamer was escorted by a strong force of settlement police. The route was lined by jeering White Russians and thousands of gaping Chinese. Serious problems are facing the Nationalist Government, as the breaking off of relations with the Soviet with such drastic suddenness is causing a state akin to panic. Chinese merchants trading in Russia are heavily involved financially and the refusal of Nationalists to exclude the Dal Bank from closure seriously jeopardises numerous foreign traders, and virtually suspends the tea business with Russia, which amounted to 50,000,G00d0l last year. Already 1,000,000d0l worth of tea has been shipped to Russia, for which payments have not been made. Merchants arc petitioning the Bureau of Foreign Affairs for relief. The Nationalists’ mandate involves G ' os^ g .,° 27 Soviet businesses. —A. and N.Z. Game.

PROPOSED GENERAL STRIKE. A COMMUNIST FAILURE. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, December 20. According to advices from China the general strike, which was timed to take place in Shanghai on December 19, has not taken place, and the general situation remains unchanged. The failure of the Communists to bring about a stoppage may not be altogether unconnected with the issue of the proclamation on December 15 by the Labour Depot of the Kuomintang ordering all operatives then on strike to resume work forthwith, and prohibiting others from going on strike unc or pain of punishment. Strikes at Wuhu and Kiukiang have also been settled, but the conditions have apparently not sufficiently improved at Wuhu to allow the local Commissioner o Customs to dispense with the protection ot British gunboats. . The Nanking Government has issuea orders breaking off relations with the Soviet and the Consular officials, and is ordering the closing of all Soviet. tradin„ establishments.