RIOTING

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19787, 10 March 1927, Page 7

RIOTING

BY CHINESE MOB TROUBLE AT WUHU CUSTOMS HOUSE LOOTED FOREIGN WOMEN LEAVING. A TENSE SITUATION. IBy Telegranh—Per Press Assn.—Copyright.] Received March 9, 11.20 p.m. SHANGHAI, March 9. A serious situation has developed at Wuhu, where a mob broke into and looted the Native Customs House and the Customs Club. Foreign women and children are evacuating Wuhu for Shanghai, and the men are ready to withdraw if developments warrant. SOVIET AGENTS ARRESTED BY CHANG’S TROOPS TRUNKLOADS OF PROPAGANDA PEKING, March 8. A sensation has been caused by news of the arrest and removal to Taianfu of Madame Borodin, three Soviet envoys ,and six Russian sailors on the orders of Chang Tsung Chang, Commander of the anti-Red forces. The party’s steamer was detained at Nanking on the route to Hankow as the result of flying the Soviet flag. She was boarded and inspected by Customs officers. The passengers, when being examined, refused to open their baggage, declaring that they were Soviet officials. As a result the military were informed and opened the baggage, revealing several trunks of progapanda printed in Chinese and Russian.

Madame Borodin gave her name as Grosberg, and said *?fae had private 'business at Hankow. The envoys described themselves as couriers of the Soviet Government engaged in diplomatic duties. Madame’s trunks revealed details of the distribution of the contents among anti-Red troops in Kiangsu province. The snip was seized, the Red Flag hauled down and the Chinese naval flag hoisted. A strong protest had been made by the Soviet Embassy in Peking and immediate release is demanded of the ship and passengers. BRITAIN NEUTRAL SUPPORTS NEITHER FACTION REPORTS LACK CONFIRMATION LONDON, March 8. The Foreign Office reports that arl is quiet in China. There were no serious incidents anywhere and it was un able to confirm the reported reign of terror at Ningpo, where it was alleged that following anti-foreign demonstrations the Chinese mob attempted to capture British and American missionaries and nurses. s

Official circles though unable to confirm the report that Marshal Chang-tso-lin is making overtures to the Cantonese with a view of suspension of hostilities if the Cantonese abandon Soviet advisers and show willingness to join forces and discuss the rehabilitation of China, does not discount the chief report, pointing out that the chief feature of Chinese interval hostilities is bargaining between contending generals. Incidentally, official circles are anxious to deny the suggestion that the British in any way uro supporting Chang. It is emphasised that Britain is scrupulousuy neutral. Well-informed quarters point out that Chang “is one of the greatest scoundrels in China.” It even admitted that the Cantonese capture of Shanghai, which is now regarded as inevitable, will in no way prejudice British interests there any more than its capture by Chang.

AT SHANGHAI TREATY RIGHTS. KIU KIANG CONSULATE REOPENED. LONDON, March 8. Tho statement that General Chang Tsung Chting had established headquarters behind the lines of the Shanghai international settlement held by the British defence force, and that he had troops within the settlement cordon, was denied in the House of Commons by Commander Locker-Lampson. He said that there were no Chinese armed forces whatsoever within the international settlement. Chinese entering tho settlement were disarmed. Answering a question relating to the origin of the settlement, Commlander Locker-Lampson recalled that the treaty of 1843 having stipulated that a portion should be set apart for the residence of British traders, an area for the British settlement was marked out that year by the lodal authorities at Shanghai. Similar areas were set apart for the French and Americans, who enjoyed the same tre'aty rights. The British settlement was subsequently thrown open to all nationalities and amalgamated with the American settlement, and so became the international settlement. The land regulations under which the international settlement is administered can be lamended or added to by agreement between the local Chinese authorities and the consular body at Shanghai, subject to confirmation by their respective Governments. The British consular flag was re-hoist-ed ashore oveT the consular buildings at Kiukiang land a reception, attended by Chinese authorities, was held. The 4wnsulato reopened to-day.