NOT RESTORED

Gisborne Times, Volume LXV, Issue 10301, 10 January 1927, Page 5

NOT RESTORED

HANKOW STILL IN CHINESE HANDS BRITISH ULTIMATUM NOT CONFIRMED! ADMIRAL CAMERON SEEKS WIDER POWERS. (United Press Assn.—Copyright.) SHANGHAI, Jan. 7. The reported restoration of Hankowis denied.—Sun. SHANGHAI, Jan. 7. Advices received here privately from Hankow that the control of the concession has been resumed by the British are unconfirmed. The latest naval wireless message from Hankow, dated last night, states that the concession is still in the, hands of the Chinese military. American women and children are now being evacuated.

Six British river boats are arriving to-morrow from Yangtsze ports with 500 refugee British women and children evacuated from the stricken areas. Local Britishers are arranging accommodation privately and firms are caring for the families of employees, the majority of whom are empty-hayded, having deserted their homes and belongings at a minute’s notice. The river boats are returning to Hankow immediately- after coaling ! in case of emergency. Britain’s ultimatum is not confirmed, but it is definitely known that Admiral Cameron, the Hankow commander, is seeking wider powers, protesting that he is unable to handle the situation with the means at his disposal. The cruisers Carlisle and Vindictive from Hongkong, are expected to remain below Hankow, due to the low water, and will send a combined expedition by ■ _ gunboats, which meet them on arrival.

In Nanking the situation is temporarily quiet owing to the unexpected success of the evacuation and lack of resistance.—A.N.Z.C.A.

CONSTERNATION IN SHANGHAI. BRITISH PRESTIGE NEVER LOWER THAN TO-DAY. BRITISH CONSUL^VIRTUALLV A PRISONER. BRITISHERS HIDING IN BUILDINGS. SHANGHAI, Jan. 7. The news of the taking of the British concession at Hankow by Chinese soldiery was . received here with consternation, as it was always understood that the British Government intended to defend lite and property in British concessions. It is believed that the situation which confronted the British authorities at Hankow on January 4 would never have arisen bad the Nationalist Government been convinced the concession would be defended. Knowledge that the defences were weak and that shooting bv the British was improbable encouraged the extremist wing to make a bid for the control of the concession with the aid of a carefully worked-up mob. The uppermost feeling' of the British people here is a profound lack of confidence. They are depressed and discouraged by what occurred at Hankow and its implications. Full accounts of the triumphs of the mob r.nd intense anti-Britishism appear in the Chinese newspapers. It is exaggeration to say that British prestige among the Chinese was never lower than it is to-day. Reports from Hankow hourly, fail to show any decrease in the gravity of the situation; rather they emphasise the completeness of the British overthrow, however temporarily.

Latest despatches state the British flag no longer flies over the consulate and the consul is virtually k prisoner in his own consulate, which is guarded by Chinese soldiers. Those, Britishers who have not yet evacuated dare not enter the streets, a».d are hiding in the principal British In ildings, which are picketed bv Chinese troops. The Custom house has ceased to function. The British concession is governed bv 7 a committee of five Koumintung members, v ho have issued a proclamation announcing the concession no longer belongs to Britain ANTI-BRITISH MOVEMENT INCREASING IN INTENSITY

The first anti-British demonstration on Monday was accompanied by bloodshed, according to delayed reports. It is believed this caused Tuesday's riots, resulting in the abandonment of the concession.

Public meetings are held daily Imre informing laborers that- British marines at Hankow killed and wounded ‘several lecturers in a bayonet charge, and this is borne out by Jupauese news agencies.

The British cenotaph at Hankow is unrecognisable under the coat of propaganda posters and anti-British handbills. Several British administrative buildings have been partially destroyed by the mobs, despite the military authorities’ promise to control the situation “BRITAIN AFRAID TO FIGHT CHINA.” Additional American destroyers are sailing at top speed for Hankow. As a result of the evacuation of nationals, it appears that the extremists, having overthrown the British, are now directing attention to other nationals as predicted. , It is significant that loctl Chinese say Britain gave up Hankow because she is afraid to fight China, which is really believed by the Chinese to be an important weapon of the agitators. Outlying missionaries are hastening to the Yangtsze for protection. Eugene Chong met leading Americans at Hankow to discuss the position and assured them that there was no reason for panic, declaring that the National Government could control the situation. Later the majority of the American community decided to evacuate. A meeting with the British with a similar object was a fiasco, only one person turning up beside the Consul General, Mr Gofio. Only one feeling prevails here among the Britishers, namely the utter lack of confidence.

AMERICAN ADMIRAL LEAVES FOR SHANGHAI

WASHINGTON, Jan. 7. Admiral Williams, Commnnder-m-Cliief of the Asiatic fleet, has been ordered to proceed on the flagship Pittsburgh from Manila to Shanghai to observe and report on the conditions there. The Admiral’s opinion will govern the number of ships accompanying his fleet.

LITTLE SYMPATHY FOR BRITAIN BY PARIS PRESS.

INCREASED FRENCH VIGILANCE URGED.

(Received Jan. 9, 5.5 p.m.) PARIS, Jan, 8. The French press is increasingly critieal concerning the British policy in China. , - The Homme Libre wonders whether the Cantonese extremists’ brutality will leave any option but violence, which she is most anxious to avoid. The',United States, Japan ami France have adopted a policy of reserve, finds herself alone the Cantonese wave.

(Continued at foot of next column.)