AT SHANGHAI

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19784, 7 March 1927, Page 7

AT SHANGHAI

A CRISIS SOOxN WAY MAY BE LEFT OPEN AND THE CANTONESE AGREEMENT REPORTED MORE BRITISH TROOPS AMERICAN MARINES LAND (By Telegraph—Per .Zrees Assn.—Copyright.] Received March 6, 9.45 p.m. SHANGHAI, March 5. There are persistent reports that Chang Tsang Chang and Chiang Kai Shek have as ached an agreement, providing that there shall ba no opposition to the Southern forces occupying Shanghai, but these messages require confirmattoa. The Cantonese are steadily surrounding Shanghai. The Shantung troops are threatened »nth the severance of the Nanking base by the approach of the Cantonese, aiming at the seizure of both railways leading to Shanghai. Another general strike is regarded as certain when the Cantonese launch their attack, and the authorities are preparing emergency staffs for vital service. The British force is entrenched on the railway embankment approaching the settlements. A crisis is expected in from three to five days. United States marines, 1300 strong, had their first route march through the streets of the settlement to-day, and returned to their ships, as at present there is no room to billet them ashore. Additional troops arc leaving Hong Kong for Shanghai in view of the looming crisis. Seizure of a Launch Hsu Yuan, Chinese Commissioner of Foreign Affairs at Shanghai, has sent a letter to the senior-Consul strongly protesting against the stationing of British troops outside the settlement boundaries and asking for their immediate withdrawal. The protest is regarded as a pro forma affair dictated by Hsu Yuan’s desire to keep favour with the Southerners. The steam launch Meifoo was commandeered by Chinese soldiers and taken down stream. The American Admiral, who was notified of the seizure, despatched 60 marines to follow the launch, which they overtook five miles away. The soldiers, although armed, did not fire and surrendered the launch to the marines.