CHAOS IN CANTON.

Waikato Times, Volume 102, Issue 17277, 13 December 1927, Page 7

CHAOS IN CANTON.

STATE OF REVOLUTION

LOOTING AND BURNING.

MARTIAL LAW IN FORCE. There has been a revival of trouble In China. The peasants and workmen, taking advantage of the absence of the majority of the troops, have seized Canton and have placed Communists in control. The trouble has extended, to Shanghai, where a general strike is oxpected. Soviet, intrigue

Is blamed for the developments.

(Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn.) (Received Dec. 13, 11.40 a.m.)

. SHANGHAI, Dec. 12. 'Reports from Canton describe the city as in a state of revolution. Following an orgy of looting and burning, the city was plunged into darkness owing to the power plant failing. .All ships have been deserted by their crews, and the natives are panicstricken. . I* .... ,

Thousands are fleeing to Hongkong. As the result of the cessation of steamer communication the railways are overcrowded. 1

Several vessels manned by British bluejackets which arrived at IJongkoug were jambed with refugees. British and Japanese warships are standing by at Snamecn, which is the foreign residential- area, consisting of a small island off the shore.

Martial law has been proclamed

The Central Bank, of China, it is reported, has been destroyed, following looting. Chinese gunboats added to the general confusion by shelling the waterfront of the city. '• , . Communists wrecked the Police Bureau, liberating criminals who immediately joined the looters.Later messages from Canton, from Japanese sources, report fierce lighting between the Communist forces and General Li Fue Lin’s forces in an attempt by the latter ,to retain control of Canton for the Nationalists.

RUSSIAN INTRIGUE. • RESPONSIBLE FOR TROUBLE, BREAK-OFF OF RELATIONS. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn.) (Received Dec. 13, 12.30 p.m.) SHANGHAI, Dec. 12. The local Nationalist officials declare that the position is the direct result of Russian intrigue. General Chiang-Kaishek, in an interview, declared emphatically that unless Soviet Russia discontinues immediately intrigue in China the Nationalist Government will be compelled to break off ‘ relations, and request the closing of the Soviet Consulates.

REBELS SEIZE CITY, j COMMUNISTS IN CONTROL. NATIONALIST OFFICIALS FLEE, (Received Dec. 13, 12.15 p.m.) SHANGHAI, Dec, 12. Later advices from Canton state that taking advantage of 'the absence of tlie majority of regular troops at the different fronts, the peasants and workmen, assisted by disaffected troops, seized Canton. After sharp fighting lasting six hours, the revolutionary forces disarmed the guards at the * Peace Preservation Bureau, took possession the city, and placed it under peasant and Labour control. The railway stations, Government offices, telegraphs, and all communications have been placed in charge of. the workmen’s red corps. The outskirts of the city ■ are swarming with peasants and workmen wearing red brassards. \ All shops are closed and business is at a standstill. 1 * The leading Nationalist officials fled, taking refuge on a man-o’-war at th« commencement of hostilities.

SPREADS TO SHANGHAI. BY TRAMWAY STRIKE. UNDERGROUND PROPAGANDA, (Received Dec. 13, noon.) SHANGHAI, Dec. 12. There has been an outburst of Radical propaganda linked up with the tramway strike and other industrial disputes. Fifty thousand are idle. The trouble synchronises with the Canton coup, which is regarded seriously. ■ ■ There is a recrudescence of, Communism to an alarming degree, and underground Communist activity propaganda, issued by the General Labour Union, urges the spread of the strike and approves of the assassination of several tram inspectors which were perpetrated last week. The trouble is spreading rapidly, and a general strike may be expected.