CRISIS IN CHINA.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 June 1925, Page 11

CRISIS IN CHINA.

STUDENTS DEMONTRATE.

STRIKE EFFORT FAILS. WAS DANGER MAGNIFIED? By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Peking, June 11. Six hundred students led by Peking agitators demonstrated at Mukden, whereupon the Education Bureau warned the students not to harm foreigners nor cause disorders. The students’ efforts to cause a general strike failed. Owing to official precautions the situation in the French concession today was distinctly easier. The Cabinet decided to agree to the application of demonstrators yesterday to send 100,000 dollars to Shanghai for the relief of the unemployed. The American gunboat Pamponga, convoying a Canton Christian college supply launch, was fired on near Whampoa. The Pamponga returned the fire. There were no casualties. The trial of the 17 arrested persons has concluded. The accused were ordered to furnish a bond guaranteeing, good behaviour. The American assessor, Mr. Jacobs, deeply regretted the case, which had much embittered the relations between the Chinese and foreigners. There was no demonstration and the crowded court was heavily guarded by police and an armoured car.

A Note to diplomats takes cognisance of the fact that the Powers view the incident in the same conciliatory spirit as the Chinese Government and that instructions have been given the police of the international settlement to cease to use arms.

The Note goes on to insist that the steps taken by the authorities of the settlement to hinder the pacific students’ demonstration were badly devised and denies that there was the state of imminent danger to which the Powers’ communication referred. The Note adds that the concession authorities have not disarmed the students and therefore are responsible for the deplorable events.

The Government views with indignation the state of affairs prevailing today throughout the country and begs to give general advice to the concession authorities which the latter should follow, namely, to raise the state of siege, re-embark the marines, disarm the volunteer police, free those arrested and restore the occupied schools in order to secure the restoration of order in Shanghai with the briefest possible delay. The Note asks the Ministers to instruct the Consular officers accordingly. ANXIETY AT CANTON. LOYAL TROOPS ARRIVING. GUNBOATS STANDING BY. Received June 12, 5.5 p.m. . ’ Peking, June 11. A message from Canton states that the report that the Christian college, is besieged is untrue. No one has been hurt. Additional troops from West River arrived at the Shewaitong station. The •whereabouts of Hsu Chang Chi is still unknown, but he is supposed to be eii route from Swatow with a Russiantrained army. Yunnanese and Hunnanese troops, loyal to the Cantonese,' are nearing Canton from the north. Firing continues along all the native Bund. Th« Portuguese gunboat Patria arrived. Four British, two American, two Japanese and two French gunboats were already here.