WAR WANTED

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXII, Issue 19346, 27 June 1925, Page 5

WAR WANTED

BELLICOSE CHINA BUT GOVERNMENT STRIVING FOR PEACE Received June 26. 10.45 p.m. PEKING. June 26. It is announced that the Government is considering many demands for the severance of relations with Britain. Meanwhile, the Foreign Office has sent notes to the Treaty Powers demanding a revision of the treaties in the interests of national equality and permanent peace.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. AUSTRALIAN LABOUR ATTITUDE. SYMPATHY WITH CHINESE OPPOSITION TO EMPLOYING AUSTBALIAN WAKSHII - Received June 26. 10.30 p.m. MELBOURNE June 26. In the Federal House, Mr Brennan, (Labour), protested against the warship Brisbane being employed as part of the British squadron against the Chinese in a war whi-h was primarily industrial. The serious aspect was that .he Ministry had allowed the Brisbane o be transferred ru participate in belligerent operations without informing Parliament. The Labour Party had always refused to aceede to the army or navy being used in industrial disputes in Australia, and it certainly would not allow them to be used in foreign waters to fight against the Chinese proletariat. The Labour Party had the «lv«‘p»‘st sympathy for the people of China.

31 r Charlton, supporting Mr Brennan, said the Australian Navy had been created for defending Australia and not for interfering in the internal affairs of another nation. If the British Government was responsible for the Brisbane going to Chinese waters, Australians should ask for her immediate withdrawal.

Mr Bruce, Prime Minister. replied that the Brisbane had been sent under the exchange arrangement with the British Government to secure her training. It ims conceivable that the squadron had gone to the disturbed area to safeguard the lives of British subjects.

THE SHANGHAI INCIDENT AN EXPLANATION. HONG KONG, June 25. The civil governor of Canton, in a Note to the British consul-general, states, inter alia, in reference to the procession in Shanghai, that, when it had almost passed Shake Street, soidiers and police in the British concession suddenly opened tire with ma-chine-guns and rifles on the crowds in the procession on the other sides of tne canal, whereupon the soldiers and police in the French Concession likewise fired while a Portuguese gunboat fired big guns, killing and wounding over 100 people. This brutal killing was j remeditated and secretly planned. When he (the civil Governor) heard particulars, he was amazed, and was in duty bourn! to enter a most serious protest as well as to state clearly that the entire responsibility for the affair rested upon the civil ami* military oficials. British. French, and Portuguese Soldiers and police, and the gunboat concerned.

The British Consul-General, in reply, points out that the Portuguese gunboat took no part. It was the defence forces of the concessions alone that replied to the attack made on them by the Chinese on the other side of the canal. The Note adds: “I can say from the evidence of my own eyes that the firing was first started by Chinese.” He and a senior naval officer were present for the purpose of preventing precipitate action on the part of the defenders, ami he and the naval officer only escaped with their lives from a hail of bullets directed at them oy the Chinese. It was only then in self-defence that fire was opened from Shameen. and by the French forces, which were similarly attacked. He repudiated the charge that the responsibility rests with the foreigners, and asks the civil governor to take complete measures to safeguard the lives »f Britishers around Canton. FURTHER ACCOUNTS OF THE SHOOTING. CANTON. .Tone 25. An eye-witness of Tuesday’s disturbances says: “Even little boys in the procession jumped about like Dervishes, drawing their hands across their throats and bodies, indicating what they would do with us, and shouting in Engiish and French: ‘ Kill the foreigners! ’ as the procession passed the French concession, which was well guarded, and opposite the English concession, where there was little sign of preparedness. Someone in the crowd tired two shots. Their soldiers immediately opened fire, which was thereupon returned.” One Shameen official states that the actual attack was made by Whampoa students led by Russian Bolsheviks. Following them were 3000 soldiers disguised as Yunanese labourers. Almost immediately twenty carefully concealed machine guns opened fire upon the mob hammering at the gates of Shameen, decimating them as they came forward.

The mob reeled and fell back in confusion, exposing the innocent spectators behind them for a time to a terrific fire, which had been concentrated upon actual attackers. After this ceased sniping continued

for some time, when it suddenly stopped.

Evidence from all quarters is that it was not a peaceful procession, but a thoroughly organised military attack. A message from Canton reports that the Government was warned of the plot to attack foreigners two days before. but took no adequate steps to prevent bloodshed and the entire responsibility is on the shoulders of the Canton authorities. The town is now adequately protected by gunboats and troops.

FRENCH NOTE DESPATCHED PEKING, Juno 25. , The French Minister in a Note i states that he regrets to bring to the knowledge of the Chinese Government that, following demonstrations at Canton on June 22, demonstrators and soldiers fired upon the English and . French concessions at Shameen and a French merchant was killed by a shot from the Chinese bund. The Note adds: “Reports from the commandant of the French naval forces make it clear that the responsibility falls entirely on the Chinese. He (the Minister) is consequently compelled to pro- : test and reserve the right for the ' French Government to demand reparations. AMERICAN RESOLUTIONS PEKING, Juno 25. ' The executive committee of the American Association of China has adopted the following resolution, which it has sent to the Department of State at "Washington, and the American Asiatic Association, New York: “That this association urges the American Government to enter into energetic co-operation with the other Powers in the adoption of a very strong attitude, and that representation be made to the Chinese Government to suppress the present state of lawlessness directed against foreigners, which in our opinion is due primarily to the long existing unsettled political conditions, aggravated by Soviet propaganda, and that China be held strictly responsible for ail losses of life, property and business incident to the present situation; that the absolute observation of the existing treaties is essential until modified through the orderly process provided by the Washington Conference.” TENSE SITUATION PEKING, June 25. Wuhu reports that the food boycott of foreign warships there continues. The Chinese authorities arc maintaining order. Ningpo reports that the American gunboat has arrived, order has been restored. and the Chinese soldiers are guarding the foreign quarter. At Amoy the Chinese and foreign authorities are co-operating, and the situation is satisfactory. At Hoehow the situation continues disturbed, while in other centres conditions are unchanged, but there is a general tenseness in the situation. MISSIONARIES SAFE (Per Press Association.) DUNEDIN, June 26. j The Foreign Mission Committee of the New Zealand Presbyterian General ' Assembly . -•••ei'.cd the following cable' this morning: “ All women and; children, including Mrs Bastin and Mrs Mac Hale, are safe at Hong i Kung.”