JAPANESE ATTACKED

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 13, 6 April 1927, Page 9

JAPANESE ATTACKED

HANKOW TROUBLE RECURS LIVES LOST IN FIGHT By Cable.—Press Association. — Copyright. SHANGHAI, Monday. A serious situation, has developed at Hankow which has necessitated the evacuation of Japanese residents. Following upon an attack on a party of Japanese marines by a mob, hordes of labourers stormed the Japanese concession. Two hundred Japanese marines were landed from a warship, and they drove the mob from the concession. The clash resulted in seven Chinese being killed and a number of the marines being injured. Five of the marines were carried oft by the mob. The mutilated body of one was later found floating in the river. The Chinese surrounded the concession, but were held back by the marines. The Japanese admiral [refused a request made by the Chinese authorities to withdraw the

marines. Thereupon Chinese guards of the Bth Army surrounded the concession, ostensibly to check the mobs, but instead they fired on the marines. A Japanese wireless message says the trouble originated from some Chinese children abusing Japanese bluejackets who were strolling along the Bund. The Southern commander apologised to the Japanese Consul for the incident. It is expected that the evacuation of all Japanese subjects except the staffs of two firms whose premises are surrounded by pickets will be completed to-day. Twenty-five Japanese nationals have taken refuge on the British warship Bee.

There are already five Japanese warships at Hankow, three more are hastening to that port and three are to leave Shanghai to-morrow morning. —A. and N.Z.