BRITISH SOLDIERS READY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17573, 25 June 1925, Page 13

BRITISH SOLDIERS READY.

SITUATION GRAVER. FIRING IN CANTON. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Reuter's Tel eg- rams. PEKIN, June 24. There are signs of an increased antiBritish boycott. Cabinet has decided to issue orders i authorising the procedure regarding the national delegates' conference. It is expected that Tuan Chi-jui will shortly issue a circular telegram emphasising the importance of holding the elections thereto as early as possible. According to a Hong Kong message, it is reported from Amov that the situation is graver, owing to the students insisting on demonstrating against j foreigners in the International Settle- j mer.t. j The Chinese authorities are of opinion that they will be able to control the situation, but the British, American and Japanese Consuls have requested their Governments to detail their warships at Amoy to stand by. Meanwhile 500 British and foreign women and children have left the Shamien for Hong Kong aboard a British steamer. The East Surrey Regiment has been ordered to stand by. It appears that the demonstration at Canton on June 23 was comparatively peaceful until a section of demonstrators suddenly fired, killing a Frenchman and wounding some Britishers. British seamen, seeing the ConsulGeneral and British senior naval officers under lire, discharged their rifles, but the naval officer ordered them tu cease lire. Firing from Canton then ceased and order was restored. AUSTRALIAN WARSHIPS. D> ' MELBOURNE, June 24. j In the House of Representatives Mr Brennan asked the Minister of Defence I whether the cruiser Brisbane was at present operating in Chinese waters and whether any other Australian war vessels were there. The Minister asked for notice of the question.