CHINESE PHOTS

Southland Times, Issue 20112, 24 February 1927, Page 7

CHINESE PHOTS

THE BOOM OF GUNS NO FOREIGN CASUALTIES SHELLS FALL IN FRENCH CONCESSION POSITION OBSCURE (By Telegraph—-Press Assn.—Copyright.) Shanghai, February 22. The unbroken boom of heavy guns is audible from the foreign settlements. Shells fell in the French concession, and many people fled from their homes to the International Settlement. There were no foreign casualties. All forces are standing by. AH firing is from the south, in the direction of the native city. It is not certain whether the Cantonese have arrived, the defenders have mutinied, or native riots are taking place. Eight hundred Suffolks have landed, and are occupying the quarters of the Punjabis on the racecourse. The latter have gone to Hong-Kong. The problem of providing space for the British troops, which threatened to become acute, has been satisfactorily solved. To avert possible protests from other nationals against troops being quartered in international property only British property has so far been used. This meant much congestion and restriction, for apart from the racecourse there is not much exclusively British-owned space in Shanghai available for the soldiers. The British Consul-General applied to the municipality for permission to use Jessfield Park for the quartering of troops. The municipality not only agreed, but intimated that all municipal property would be placed at the disposal of the defence force if required. The decision is expressive of the deep gratitude of all nationals for the protection afforded by the presence of British troops.—A. and N.Z. CRUISER FIRES ON ARSENAL. BRITISH AND AMERICAN HOMES HIT. RESIDENTS CONSIDERABLY ALARMED. (Rec. 5.5 p.m.) Shanghai, February 22. It is confirmed that the Chinese cruiser was deflected from Sun Chuan-fang to the Southerners and fired on the Kiangnan arsenal, which is one of the biggest in China. The arsenal is situated almost on the boundary of the French settlement. It turns out munitions and guns for the whole of Sun Chuan-fang’s forces, and its demolition would seriously handicap the Northerners’ defence of Shanghai. All the British troops and naval men are standing by. Volunteers are also standing by, and an armoured car section is on duty. French marines have been rushed to strategic points on the boundary of the French concession. The firing caused intense alarm in the Chinese city, and considerable excitement in the settlement. The foreigners residing outside the settlement are taking precautions. Some are moving in valuables to the settlement. Chinese refugees are pouring into the settlement from the native city. Two Chinese were killed in the native city into which five shells fell. Two British and two American homes were hit, as well as the old French Club, which is at present a school. A later report states that it is reported that two cruisers, the Kiangwei and Kiangkong, lying up the river above Shanghai, were concerned in the firing, their crews having been bribed by the Cantonese to deflect from Sun Chuan-fang, their intention being to steam up the Whang Poo in order to join the Southerners. After the Chinese cruisers fired, the French gunboats Alerte and Marne, which were anchored nearby, trained their guns on the cruisers, but did not fire. The French authorities posted marines with machine-guns in all the streets leading to the Chinese city. According to a Japanese report from Nanking, Chang Tsung-chang’s troops are crossing the Yangtse to Nanking. Apparently their object is to come to Shanghai.— A. and N.Z. BOMBARDMENT NOT CONFIRMED. (Rec. 5.5 p.m.) London, February 22. The Foreign Office has not received confirmation of the bombardment of Shanghai by a Chinese gunboat, but official circles state that there is at present little cause for alarm. The gunboat, by Western standards, is a small, negligible craft. Probably the gunnery is indifferent, and the shelling is unlikely to cause much damage or loss of life. The main source of satisfaction is that the firing was not prompted by antipathy to the British and other foreign peoples. It was not directed against the International Settlement, but against the native city. It was part of the Chinese Civil War, and did not arise from hatred of foreigners. The view is taken that while the life of foreigners in Shanghai must be exceedingly uncomfortable owing to the strike and general uncertainty, it would be an exaggeration to suggest that Britishers are at present in daily peril of losing their lives.—A. and N.Z. MASSACRE OF CHINESE. NATIVES TERRORISED. MERCILESS EXECUTIONERS. CANTONESE ADVANCE CHECKED. Pekin, February 22. A semi-lawful massacre of Chinese carried out in the native city at Shanghai by the Chinese military for the purpose of suppressing Red agitation strikes, is shocking the community, due to the ruthlessness employed by native soldiery and police, practically murdering scores of suspected agitators supporting the Cantonese movement. Not since the Spanish Inquisition has a city the size of Shanghai witnessed the scenes being enacted daily. Heartless executioners have completely terrorised the natives, who fear to venture abroad lest they be suspected. The executioners are merciless, a walking squad arresting stud-

ents, labour agitators, union delegates, and strikers, and executing them immediately without trial. Youths are dragged from the arms of their mothers and their heads lopped off while screaming. Others struggled, and were hacked to pieces, and escapees were shot while escaping. The executions are being carried out with the intention of counteracting the Canton movement, and intended to embarass Sun Chuan-fang’s defence of Shanghai. The general strike is waning, and the workers are returning to the international settlement.

The authorities are not interfering, appreciating the display of force, though regretting the bloodshed. Under the circumstances there is hardly a whisper of protest from the Chinese. Widespread indignation is expressed at the decapitation of the Chinese editor of an English printed newspaper following the publication of Sun Chuan-fang’s reverses while fighting the Cantonese. The editor was kidnapped a fortnight ago from the international settlement in daylight by disguised Chinese soldiers, and carried to native territory.

Warrants have been issued for the arrest of many prominent Cantonese. The reign of terror prevails as the only preventive of mob riots similar to those at Hankow. Sun Chuan-fang has succeeded in checking the Cantonese advance at Hashing, 70 miles south-west, and the Nationalist occupation of Shanghai is stayed.—A. and N.Z. KIUKIANG AGREEMENT. BRITISH LOSSES TO BE MADE GOOD. (Rec. 5.5 p.m.) London, February 22. In the House of Commons, Mr Locker Lampson informed Mr Ramsay MacDonald that the Kiukiang agreement was signed the same time as the Hankow agreement. It provided that the losses suffered by British subjects during the disturbances would be made good by the Nationalist Government. Sir C. Kinlock-Cooke: “Will our nationals at Hankow get compensation?” Mr Lamjjson: “There is not the same intensive looting there as at Kiukiang.”—A. and N.Z. THE POSTAL STRIKE. ULTIMATUM ISSUED. CHINESE FAITH IN FOREIGN INSTITUITIONS. Pekin, February 22 The foreigners’ irritation at the nondelivery and acceptance of mails has culminated in a settlement, the authorities informing the Chinese postal authorities that unless the postal strike has ceased at 10 o’clock this morning it will take over the Post Office and run it as foreign, until the strikers return. Volunteers have been mobilised and ordered to stand by if necessary to assist the police to clear the Post Office of strikers. A humorous sidelight of the Chinese indestructible faith in any foreign-originated institution was their continuance to post letters until the pillar boxes were crammed and letters began to fall from the slots. Thieves immediately commenced stealing until the police prevented them. An official estimates that the strikers number 100,000, but the majority are in the native city.—Sun Cable. AGITATORS ACTIVE. ANTI-BRITISH FEELING INCREASING. Shanghai, February 22. The number of strikers is decreasing somewhat, and the situation in the foreign settlements remains quiet. A proclamation posted at the General Post Office, that employees not returning to work would be executed, put an end to all picketing, and also brought many back to work, enabling a resumption, on a small scale, of the service. It is estimated that there are still some 100,000 strikers, but, with a partial resumption of the postal service, and all international settlement buses and nearly all the trams running, the situation is a little brighter, despite the fact that local shipping is virtually tied up. While the executions, which are continuing, though on a much smaller scale, have been effective in bringing back the rank and file to work, they have greatly increased the activities of the agitators, wht> are directing affairs from safety. While it is noteworthy that there is still no sign of an anti-foreign strike, antiBritish agitation has increased. It is reported that at Ichang Chinese pilots were intimidated and American ships threatened for carrying British passengers, while at Changshu the Labour unions threatened to condemn to death all Chinese remaining in British employ and supplying necessities to Britons. Five shells exploded in the French concession, and between sounds five others were heard. It is believed that they exploded just outside in the native city. All the French defence forces have been mobilised. It is believed that one of Sun Chuanfang’s gunboats, lying in the river, turned over to the Southerners, and tried to shell the Kiangnan arsenal. It is known that four foreign homes were hit, but no foreigners were hurt.—A. and N.Z. ATTACK ON POLICE STATION. WU PEI-FU SUFFERS SEVERE REVERSE. (Rec. 7.0 p.m.) Shanghai, February 22. The shooting aroused the more extreme spirits in the native city and 100 soldiers and agitators made an attack on the Chinese police station. The police fired killing several. The North China Daily News reports that the gunboats were trying to escape to join the Southern gunboats further up the river when they were detected. One shell passed through the bedroom of a foreign resident’s house, over two sleeping children and lodged in the wall a foot above their heads. Reports from the Honan province state that Chang Chung-chang is finding Wu Pei-fu is obstinately resisting his advance. He sent a vanguard of 6000 White Russians who, knowing, if captured, they would be beheaded, fought so fiercely that Wu Pei-fu was defeated and fled to the mountains. The Russian losses are reported to be 3000.—Sun Cable.