FIRE IF NECESSARY

Gisborne Times, Volume LXV, Issue 10299, 7 January 1927, Page 5

FIRE IF NECESSARY

OFFICIAL INSTRUCTIONS'TO BRITISH ADMIRAL

HANKOW COMPLETELY IN HANDS OF CHINESE

DRASTIC STEPS REQUIRED

FOREIGNERS IN OTHER, TOWNS IN GRAVE PERIL (United Press Assn.—Copyright.) SHANGHAI, Jan. 5. The Hankov dirtuiba’tces Avere due to the smallness of the British forces available, Ibe present naval strength consisting cf only 250 men. Admiral Cameron, command’"'*, reported that unless permission' is granted to fire he is unable to cope Avith tho situation.

Admiral Sinclair, Commauder-in-Chief at Hongkong, consequently Avired instructions to fire if necessary Avithout regard for consequences. Loav Avater prevents the larger warships proceeding io Hankow, Avluch is completely in the hands of the Chinese, who occupy the principal administrative buildings. They have driven the British residents from the concession, and closed foreign stones. Looting may he expected unless the military intervene. Admiral Cameron states the mob Avas in the mood for a massacre of civilians had the marines opened lire. They Avould have' been able to handle the situation if allowed to use machine guns. The co-operation of the Chinese military is not expected. On the contrary it is believed that they are fostering the agitation in order to secure control of the concession, Avhich is predicted. The HankoAV eA’ents are expected to have a repercussion in the whole Yangtsze Valley. HankoAV Britishers are at present taking refuge in other foreign concessions, but a civilian evacuation is likely. Kiukiang is already being evacuated by Avomen and children in expectation of similar incidents.

The situation is fraught Avith gravest peril to foreigners residing at river ports and in the interior cities. The HankoAV incident requires drastic foreign steps, othenvise Shanghai will fare likewise when the Cantonese arrive, Avhich is inevitable.

Chving to the seriousness of events in China, the Hon. Mac Murray, the United States Minister in China, lias been recalled to Washington for a conference.

M.. Karakhan, the Soviet Ambassador in Pekin, is leaving the capital to establish headquarters at Wuchang,- tho southerners’ new administratWe centre.—A. and N.Z.C.A.

WOMEN AND CHILDREN TO

LEAVE

INSTRUCTIONS TO EMBARK

SHANGHAI, Jan. 5. According to reports received locally all the women and children at HankoAV Avere instructed to embark, preparatory to leaving the poi*t. Local British authorities hitherto have not confirmed the report --A. and N.Z.C.A.

BRITISH IN EXTREME DANGER

CANTONESE THREATEN ATTACK IF NAVAL FORCE FIRES.

CHINESE STONE MARINES

LONDON, Jan. 5.

“The British community here is in extreme danger,” cables Sir Percival Phillips from Hankow to the Daily Mail. Their safety solely depends on tlie Chinese military, Avhich has taken no measures to check fanaticism. “A British naval force was ready to land Avhen the Cantonese Commissioner of Foreign Affairs sent a message declaring that if a single shot were fired the Chinese troops, which Avere undependable, Avould attack the Concession. Native police to-day refused duty, and labor pickets arc now patrolling, the streets.

“Chinese stoned marines who were embarking. A Chinese guard escorted Mr Herbert Goffe, the Consul-Ge-neral, to the Consulate. “A mass meeting of workers demanded that the Cantonese Government give Mr Goffe 72 hours to apologise and disarm the A'olunteors and police guilty of wounding and killing Chinese; otherwise a general strike Avould he proclaimed and tlie Concession blockaded.”—Sun.

MORE DESTROYERS READY. EIGHTH FLOTILLA MANNED. LONDON, Jnn. 5. The Admiralty has announced that the .eighth destroyer flotilla has been brought to full strength for possible service in the Far East. It consists of eight destroyers under FlotillaLeader Bruce, and normally is manned by a two-fifths complement.—A. and N.Z.C.A. (Received Jan. 6, 8.26 p.ni.) LONDON, Jan. 6. The eighth destroyer flotilla at present at Rosyth is ready to depart at any moment. Its strength was reduced last year on the ground of economy.

The official view is that the Hankow outbreak is not so' serious as at first reported, nevertheless every precaution is being taken.—A. and N.Z.C.A.

WOMEN AND CHILDREN EVACUATED. BRITISH CONCESSION CONTROLLED BY CHINESE. WARSHIPS RUSHED TO HANKOW FIGHTING NEAR SHANGHAI. (Received Jan. 6, 10.30 p.m.) SHANGHAI, Jan. 6. As a precautionary measure all women and children in Hankow, Ichang and Kiukiang were evacuated last evening. Two steamers with three hundred women and children are now en route to Shanghai. • At Hankow all the men are being concentrated on what are regarded as safe points on the waterfront.' There has been no disturbance in the Japanese or French concessions at Hankow where foreign officials and foreign controlled police continue to function. _ , ‘ Everything is peaceful in Shanghai. Red Nationalists are endeavoring to promote a general immediately after the Chinese New Year, about February 10. A later message reports that processions of soldiers, pickets and students carrying banners and yelling, passed through the- British concession at Hankow. The cenotaph, which was plastered with Nationalists’ flags and propaganda, was used as a convenient stand from which orations were delivered. To-night the concession is superficially quiet. A ’ British wireless from HanKow says the British concession is now controlled by the Chinese authorities. There has been a lull in the disorders, but lvomen, children and naval hospital cases have been evacuated. I he male population is concentrated on safety points along the river front to facilitate future operations, although the Chinese authorities guarantee safety. , A message states that events do not inspire confidence and precautions arc fully maintained. H.M.S. Vindictive Avith seaplanes, the cruiser Carlisle, and the destroyer Wislinrt, are being rushed from Hongkong to, Hankow s ■ The ' principal Yangtsze ports, TC-iu-kiang and Ichang, are suff6rmg. m a - manner similar, to Ilankow.Vnnd tine j l evacuation .of women .and .children is,

occurring. Many are proceeding to Shanghai, others remaining on the steamers in mid-stream, hoping for the trouble to blow over.

Meanwhile, nearer Shanghai, fighting i-s in' progress for the possession of Shanghai, hut the results so far are indefinite.— A.N.Z.C.A.

EXTRAORDINARY JUDGMENTS

BY CHINESE IN MIXED

COURTS.

PROTESTS BY FOREIGNERS IN SHANGHAI.

(Received Jan. "6, 12.5 a.in.) SHANGHAT, Jan. G. Extraordinary judgments marked the opening sessions of the Shanghai Mixed Court under Chinese control. Since January 1 the new court procedure restricts foreign judges influencing decisions, and they are lodging a protest against the decisions. The wholesale discharges granted by Chinese judges at the first sitting are causing tremendous dissatisfaction in the ranks of the foreign police, who are responsible for the arrest of highway robbers and others charged with major offences, who are liberated on small bail instead .of being, as hitherto, detained in custody. Smugglers of opium have been discharged: with a caution, though such offences are in direct contravention of the Chinese criminal co'de.—A.N.Z.O.A.

RENOWN COULD BE DIVERTED TO CHINA.

MUNITIONS AND WAR STORES

READY

LONDON, Jan. 5,

It is stated that the H.M.S. Renown .carries full ammunition and war stores, and could be diverted to China.—Sun.

LONDON, Jan. 5.

The Renown is so equipped that she could drop the Duke and Duchess of York’s suite overboard at any moment, close her hatches, and start fighting. It is pointed out that if the China situation is sufficiently serious when the Renown is in the Pacific the Duke and Duchess could be transferred, and the Renown hasten to Chinese waters. Her machinery lias been well tested since her reconditioning by service manoeuvres with the Atlantic Feet. —Sun.