POWERS PREPARED

Gisborne Times, Volume LXV, Issue 10303, 12 January 1927, Page 5

POWERS PREPARED

TO GUARD SHANGHAI JAPANESE FLEET BEADY FOE, EMERGENCY. AMERICANS HASTENING TO PORT. BRITAIN WILL USE FORCE IF NECESSARY. i (United Press Assn.—Copyright.) SHANGHAI, Jan. 10. The stories of missionary refugees from Kiukiang show that British landing parties had to face a similar position as at Hankow. For two hours, attempting to prevent the mob from destroying the barbed wire barricade, they stood all kinds of insults, the crowds pelting them with brickbats. Three were slightly injured. Unprecedented defence measures have been taken by the Shanghai authorities to prevent a repetition here of the Hankow events. Volunteers and special police have been called out, and have combed the international settlement, searching individuals and Chinese houses for weapons and inflammatory literature. The Municipal Council has issued a proclamation warning the agitators that it is prepared to resist outbreaks by every possible means. Tiie French concession authorities are cooperating. Instructions have been received from the Home Government to defend tho settlement by force if necessary. It is reported that a large Japanese naval force is anchored 14 miles from Shanghai, ready for any emergency. It is also reported that the American, Admiral Williams, eh route with , a portion oF the Asiatic Fleet from j Manila, has been instructed to use force if necessary to defend American j interests. Consequently little fear is • entertained for the safety of Shanghai BECOMING WORSE. ANTI-FOREIGN DISTURBANCES L\ T CHINA. POSITION AT SHANGHAI. STATEMENT BY INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL. SHANGHAI, Jan. 10. j The situation in the interior ol j South-western China is steadily be- j coming worse. In addition to the British, many Americans arc leaving interior towns. All American women and children are evacuating Ichang. Anti-foreign disturbances occurred in Chungking. Cantonese soldiers and mobs desecrated the foreign cemetery, smashing and overturning tombstones. In view of the anxiety of foreigners in Shanghai as to whether in the event of an attack the international settlement would be defended, the ( Municipal Council of international ' Settlement has issued a statement in which it says the council takes no official interest in party politics and has prohibited political meetings, de- , monstrations, speeches or political propaganda of any description within the settlement. The council will continue to co-operate as hereto!ore with whatever Chinese administration con- | trols the territory adjoining the boundaries under its own jurisdiction, and will direct all its energies and resources towards obtaining order and ensuring the safety or life and property within the area under its eonmil."" It will rigorously suppress all forms of violence and disorder, and will not hesitate to use a.ll the means at its disposal.—A.N.Z.C.A. AMERICAN MARINES FOR CHINA . WASHINGTON, Jan. 10. | The Naw .Department announced to-day that arrangements had been made for the immediate transportation to China of a marine detachment from Guam. —A.N.Z.C.A.^ (Received Jan. 12, 12.5 p.m.) I MANILA, Jan. 11. Three hundred marines from Guam have departed for Shanghai.—A. and N.Z.C.A. , SOUTH AFRICAN MEN j VOLUNTEER. j CAPETOWN. Jan. 10. j Ex-Service men in Johannesburg are offering their services for China. It is stated that a battalion of tram- j cd men could bo raised. j BRITISH, AMERICAN AND ! JAPANESE TROOPS READY 1 .CAN BE IN SHANGHAI IN 36 [ HOURS | an unconfirmed report (Received Jan. 12. 12.5 a.m.) 1 SHANGHAI, Jan. 11. An unconfirmed report states that arrangements have been made to despatch 1800 British and 20G0 j American troops to Shanghai with several thousand Japanese held in readiness m Japan to reach Shanghai at the latest in 35 hours. Eight British destroyers have arrived at Hankow. ... . Negotiations regarding the British concession will be opened immediate- : ly Mr O’Malley arrives.—Sun.