CANNOT BE WORSE

Gisborne Times, Volume LXV, Issue 10302, 11 January 1927, Page 5

CANNOT BE WORSE

SITUATION AT HANKOW BRITISH BUILDINGS LOOTED REFUGEES ORDERED OUT BY ’ CHINESE • BIG EXTENSION OF ANTIFOREIGNISM ANTICIPATED ANOTHER BOXER RISING MAT BE EXPECTED ■ (United Press Assn—Copyright.) SHANGHAI, Jan. 9. Passengers arriving from Kiur kiang state that the Ktiomiiitung flag has been hoisted over the British Consulate there. The Consul is aboard H.M.S. Wyvern. •The Hankow situation is declared to be unable to become worse. - The principal British Buildings have already been looted, and are flying Soviet flags, and being used as headquarters for the labor unions and agitators. Refugees state that youthful Cam tonese soldiers burst into homes and ordered out the inmates, even babies in arms, and then placed red seals on the do’ors. They refused to allow possessions to be taken away. It is stated that the Chinese, not content with the recovery of the concessions, want to expel every foreigner from China. They are Supported in this by the military who, it is declared, are able Lut unwilling to control the situation, and are assisting the demonstration. CONCERTED DEMONSTRATION

NEEDED According to predictions the entire Yaiigtse valley will be influenced by Hankow events. The - present wave of anti-foreignism and violence will not cease until reaching Shanghai, but here it is not expected to reach’ the Hankow proportions, a stabilising influence being Governor Sunchuanfang, the anti-lled commander, who is now blocking the advance of the “Red” army 100 miles west of Shanghai. He is at present holding his own, and before he is defeated, leaving Shanghai open to the Cantonese entry, it is believed that the Powers will have arrived at an arrangement which is now lacking. AMERICA STIRRED

American sentiment, hitherto favoring non-interference, is nqw stirred by the Hankow events. There are signs that the Chinese extremists throughout the country are becoming intoxicated by the success at Hankow. Tintsin, Pekin’s port, though ’ ‘anti-lled’ ’ controlled, is showing signs of imitating Hankow. Similar reports elsewhere suggesting a second Boxer uprising may be expected unless the Powers reach an understanding immediately. Britain cannot he blamed for her inaction. She long has been a scapegoat. Other Powers are now realising that they are quite equally affected. Only a concerted demonstration is required to restore order; bloodshed is unnecessary, judging by Kiukiang events. When two blanks were fired by a gunboat m response to a consulate signal, the mob fled in terror.

Yesterday’s refugees include many missionaries. It is reported that 100 missionaries and others at Killing are cut off from escape by the Kiukiang events. Definite action by the Powers is not expected until all possible interior residents have reached safety, the Powers fearing reprisals, lint intervention appears inevitable.

AMERICA MAY SEVER RELATIONS WITH CHINA

JAPAN’S “WAIT AND SEE” POLICY

TOKTO PRESS CONDEMN BRUITSH MEMOR AND CM

TOKIO, Jan. 8. An impression is growing here in both Japanese and foreign diplomatic circles that America is about to sever diplomatic- relations with China ,adopting the same attitude regarding treaties and debt obligations as in the case of Russia.

The Foreign Office intimates that Jfapan will wait and see America’s attitude before answering the British memorandulm, although Washington’s position is unlikely to be definable before the return of the American Minister to China, who is expected here on January 24 en route to America. While here he will consult Baron Shidehara.—Sun. The morning papers further com-, ment unfavorably on the British memorandum. “Britain’s attempt to court Chinese favor will most probably fail” is the verdict of the Chugai, which reflects the attitude of the Japanese press as a whole. The Chugai considers that the proposals are dictated by selfish motives, which, besides being unfair to the other Powers, are transparently insincere and are likely to harm rather than improve British relations with China.—A. N.Z.C.A.

BOYCOTT CUTS BOTH WAYS. CLOSING OF BANKS MEANS UNEMPLOYMENT. ■ LONDON, Jail. 9. The Times’ Pekin correspondent, recalling that the British developed the Hankow concession from a mud fiat to the present very valuable property in which millions are invested, points out that the Cantonese now realise that the boycott is a twoedged weapon. The closure of the banks and the cessation of business has dislocated trade and is idling tens of thousands of persons who are demanding that the local authorities pay their wages while they are unemployed. The correspondent emphasises the fact that British banking, shipping, and commerce preponderates in the Yangtse, which will enable Britain to exercise effective economic pressure on the river ports .and other commercial centres for the purpose of bringing the Cantonese to reason. — Times. REFUGEES ARRIVE AT SHANGHAI. TRIBUTE TO BRITISH FORBEARANCE. SHANGHAI. Jan. 8. Ships are arriving from Hankow filled with refugees, all speaking in high terms of praise of the restraint and forbearance of the British marines under prolonged provocation. All Hongkong bank'securities havo been removed from Hankow. Advices dated Hankow, January 7, state that a steamer left for Shanghai the previous night carrying evacuated American women and children. . All the administrative offices in the British concession are now in the hands of the Chinese, who control' tho police and municipal buildings. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has assured the safety of all foreigners. SEETHING UNDER-CURRENT AT HANKOW. LOCAL PRESS SUPPORT CAPTURE OF CONCESSION. (Received Jan. 11, 12.5 a.m.) SHANGHAI. Jan. 10. Under the regime of the Council’s provisional administration, tilings are now quiet in the British concession at

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