UPHEAVAL IN CHINA

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXII, Issue 19347, 29 June 1925, Page 5

UPHEAVAL IN CHINA

ALL FAIRLY QUIET MORE STRIKING, A LITTLE RIOTING The latest news from China indicates that the position is unchanged. There is still strong resentment against foreigners, particularly Britishers. Trance has demanded an indemnity for the death of the Frenchman who was killed during the Canton shooting. By Telegraph—Per Press Assn. —Copyright. deceived June 28. 10.10 p.m. (Router) PEKING. June 27. The Chinese crews of the Hongkong and Kowloon ferry boats have struck. Naval ratings from the warship Titania and submarine men are replacing them, maintaining a partial service. The crews of the Kowloon Dock Company’s steam launches have struck and the steam launch crews at Taikoo dockyards also went out. Europeans are carrying on. A few mechanics at the Taikoo docks have also struck. The Powers have individually acknowledged the receipt of the Chinese Note regarding unequal treaties without comment.

Shanghai reports that stone throwing is rife. Passengers in tram cars and a party of Japanese in a motor car were pelted and the crowd was roost hostile to the police making efforts to protect them. One policeman was badly injured and sent to hospital. British blue jackets unloaded the steamer Empress of India and will unload other incoming British vessels if the coolies continue the strike.

At Hongkong the general situation is calm. The foreign community is largely engaged in volunteer occupations, the men as special police, butchers and bakers and other essential duties, the women combining to run community kitchens and creches. Boy scouts have replaced telegraph messengers and otherwise made themselves generally useful. The stoppage of trains is proving a serious drawback to traffic and food supplies for the Chinese are running short, no vegetables or fish reaching the markets. As the result of the shipping strike over a score of British coasters and ocean going vessels are idle in Kowloon Bay.

Trains proceeding to Canton are stopped and robbed immediately they enter Chinese territorv.

Canton reports that the situation is quiet, the foreign authorities maintaining an attitude of watchful waiting and preparecness. A British warship brought large supplies of food from Hongkong for those in the British concession. Since the arrival of soldiers from Hongkong additional steps have been taken to strengthen the defences of Shameen to guard against a possible attack.

The civil governor requested a conference with the American Consul and as a result of two meetings the Consul hopes that an international committee of inquiry will be appointed.

KILLING OF A FRENCHMAN INDEMNITY DEMANDED Received June 28. 10.10 p.m. PEKING. June 27. The French Consul sent a note to the Civil Governor in connection with the recent shooting in Shameen, stating that he was compelled to ask for an indemnity for th** murder of a French citizen and damage to property. He demands that he be informed whether the Government will countenance disorder or provide protection for foreigners. He is prepared to consider any proposals for a peaceful settlement compatible with French honour, and concludes: “In the interest of humanity, and with the view of avoiding a repetition of outrages, v e shall be forced to use any mean? tn preparation at our disposal.” He abjures the Governor to use his best efforts to re-es-tablish peace and tranquility. No reply has been received. EXIT FROM PARIS DEPORTED BY FRENCH Received June 28, 10.10 p.m. (Reuter) PARIS, 27. Twenty-three Chinese have already been deported from France as a consequence of Sunday’s outrage and twentyfour more are to be expelled. (One hundred Chinese forced the doors of the Chinese Embassy, locked the Ambassador in his room, cut the telephone wire and compelled him to sign a protest to M. Painleve against the presence of foreign troops in China. The Legation suspects that non-Chinese elements were behind the coup, which had evidently been most carefully planned. They hint that the hand of Moscow is possibly working against France). BRITAIN PREPARED ARMY AND NAVY UNITS READY. Received June 28, 11.5 p.m. LONDON, June 28. The Sunday Times says Cabinet reviewed the China situation, and Admiral Beatty was consulted, since when new movements of the navy have been instituted, in which at least one Australian light cruiser is participating. Simultaneously, British and Indian military units on the India and Pacific stations will be held in readiness. In

the meantime informal consultations are going on at Washington.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. THE LATEST REPORTS Received June 28, 10.30 p.m. PEKING, June 27. Reports from Shanghai state that a meeting of representatives of students’ unions throughout the country resolved to urge the Canton Government to send troops to occupy Shameen. The majority of the shops have reopened. The position is quiet, but the shipping situation has not improved. The strike is causing heavy losses to Anglo-Japanese trade. Food supplies are running short. Amoy reports that students’ demonstrations in the international settlement are making the situation more acute. Chinese naval ratings control the settlement, though proving inefficient. A British sloop and Japanese and American destroyers are en route here. Ning-Po reports that the position is quiet at Hoihow and that foreign women and children have evacuated the port. At Tientsin pamphlets were distributed in the native city urging rioting, which will add to the present ill-treat-ment of Chinese. STREET RIOTING PEKING, June 26. The British Legation has handed a Note to the Foreign Office protesting against the firing on Shameen, and the wounding of Britishers. Shanghai reports that this afternoon crowds of strikers and rowdies entered the settlement and stoned and stopped the trams, and in one instance, threw lime in the eyes of a tram driver. The police hurried to the scene and dispersed the rioters. Otherwise the town is quiet. POSITION IN THE NORTH IMPROVING. AUCKLAND, June 27. In reply to an inquiry as to the position in Shanghai, the South British Insurance Co. this morning received the following cable: 1 ‘Strike declining and conditions in North China generally much more peaceful. Further serious trouble in our territory is not anticipated.”