LAWLESSNESS IN CHINA.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LI, Issue 16768, 29 June 1925, Page 8

LAWLESSNESS IN CHINA.

PROTECTIVE MEASURED Til E 13 KITJ 811 PREP AI l A I'l OXB. i SHORTAGE 0F SUPPLIES. (Eke. Tel. Copyright—Oniled Press Assn.l (Reuter’s Telegram.) PEKIN, Juno 2(1. Tlio Chinese crews of the Hongkong' and Kowloon ferry boats have struck, naval ratings front the warship Ti tan in and submarine men replacing them, maintaining partial service.

The crews of the Kowloon Pock Company’s steamer launches struck and the steam launch crews at, Tuikoo dockyards also went out. Europeans are carrying on. A few mechanics at Taikoo docks also struck. PEKIN. June 27.

The Powers individually acknowledged the receipt of the Chinese Note, regarding unequal treaties, without comment'. !

Shanghai reports that stone-throw-ing' is rife. Passengers in tram cars and a party of Japanese in, a motor were pelted. The crowd was most hostile 1o the police, who made efforts to protect them. One policeman was badly injured and sent to hospital. British bluejackets unloaded the steamer Empress of India, and will unload other incoming British vessels if the coolies continue to strike.

At Hongkong the general situation is calm. The foreign community is largely engaged in volunteer occupations—the men as special police, butchers, bakers and other essential duties, ami the women combining to run community kitchens and creches. Boy Scouts have replaced telegraph messengers, and otherwise made themselves generally useful.

The stoppage of trains is proving a serious drawback to traffic, and food supplies from the Chinese are running short. No vegetables or fish are reaching the markets, as the result of the shipping strike. Over a score of British coasters end ocean-going vessels are idle in Kowloon Bay, and trains prooecling to Canton are stopped and _ robbed immediately they enter Chinese territory. Canton reports that the situation is quiet. The foreign authorities are maintaining an attitude of watchlul waiting and. preparedness. A British warship brought, large supplies of food from Hongkong for those in the British Concession. Since the arrival of the soldiers from Hongkong, additional steps have been taken to strengthen the defences of the Biianieen to guard against, a possible attack. The Civil Governor has requested a conference with/the American Consul, and; as a result, two meetings have been held. The Consul hopes an international committee of enquiry will bo. appointed. The French Consul sent a Note to this Civil Governor in connection with the recent, shooting in the Ehaipecn, stating that, ho is compelled to ask for an indemnity for (ho murder of a French citizen and damage to property. He demands that no bo informed whether the Government; will countenance disorder or provide protect ion'f.or foreigners. He is propared to consider any proposals for a peaceful settlement compatible with French honor, and concludes: “In the interests of humanity, and with a view to avoiding a repetition ,of the outrages, we shall be forced to use. any means and preparation at our disposal.” Ho adjures the Governor to use his best efforts to re-establish peace and transquility. No reply has been received.

Reports from Shanghai state that a. meeting of representatives of (he Students’ Unions throughout the country resolved to urge the Canton Government to send troops to occupy the Shameen. , < ' A majority of shops have re-opened. The position is quiet, but the shipping situation has not improved. The strike,is causing heavy losses to Anglo-Japancso trade. Food supplies are". running short. i Amoy reports that students’ demonstrations in the international settlement are making the situation more Chinese naval ratings control the settlement, though proving ineffective. A British sloop and Japanese amt American destroyers arc en route, here.

Ming-po reports that the position is quiet, and Hoiliow that foreign women and children have evacuated the port at Tientsin. Pamphlets have been distributed in the native city, urging that rioting will add to the present ill-treatment of the Chinese.

LONDON, June 28,

The Sunday Times says .Cabinet has reviewed the China situation, and Earl Beatty has been consulted, since when new movements of. the navy have boon instituted, wherein .at least one Australian light cruiser is participating. Simultaneously the British and Indian military units and the India and Pacific stations are being held in readiness. Meantime formal consultations between London and Washington are proceeding. { NOT WANTED. !

BRITISH IN SHANGHAI. / ■ “The British uro not wanted m Shanghai, and that seems to be the bottom of the unrest just now,” declared Mr. H. Gordon, upon his return to New Zealand after touring China and India as advance agent for the Carter the Great Company (states the Dominion). “All the nations of the world are represented in) this free State, and the Chinese do not like Europeans.” Mr. ‘ Gordon was in Shanghai when the rioting occurred, but left before the-more serious trouble developed. Chines© coolies working in theatres, said Mr Gordon, earned the equivalent of per night-, and for that sum worked through two performances. The first commented at 5.30, and finished at 7.20 p.m., re-commencing at-9.30 onju continuing until about midnight-. 'I be performances were given in English fwnce the bulk of the theatre-goers were welleducated .Chinese and understood the language. The highest-priced seats during” that parlieiiilar season were 11s 3d, and the cheapest 4s bd. Mr Gordon found the price of clothes and silks remarkably cheap, but hotel tarills on the average were the same as in -Wellington. The company toured India, but lio speaking .was done on the stage. Where any was necessary,,as in the clairvoyant- act, an interpreter was engaged.