DARK CLOUDS

Gisborne Times, Volume LXV, Issue 10312, 22 January 1927, Page 7

DARK CLOUDS

FOREIGNERS LEAVING INTERIOR OF CHINA. BRITAIN’S FUTURE MOVEMENTS UNCERTAIN. P'REC AU TIONS~AG AIN ST MOB - UPRISINGS. . INDUSTRIAL STRIKES IN SHANGHAI. FUTURE MISSIONARY WORK LOOMED. (United Press Assn.— Copyright.) SHANGHAI, Jan. 20. The interior of China is last being drained of foreign merchants and missionaries, who are leaving on instructions from the British authorities and proceeding to Hankow or the nearest river port, where they are picked up by British gunboats and transferred to Shanghai, which is sheltering thousands of foreign refugees from . all parts of China. Britain’s future moves are clouded by uncertainty. Messages daily received state that additional naval reinforcements are proceeding to China. British -warships of the smaller class continue to proceed to Hankow, where the Legation secretary, Mr O’Malley, continues to negotiate with the Chinese.

Extraordinary precautions are being taken against mob uprisings. The international French settlements are erecting barbed wire barricades at important intersections, and even 12ft iron gates at the most important places. The erection of accommodation for a large force of foreign troops from overseas is proceeding at strategic points, particularly the municipal utility plants. A hotel in the heart of the settlement has been fortified in preparation for receiving women and children in case of necessity. Everything points to determined resistance by the Shanghai authorities against' a repetition or the Hankow incidents.

industrial strikes, always a forerunner of liots, are already here. The trams are paralysed and the electricity service is threatened. Missionary work in China henceforth is doomed, missionary protests notwithstanding. It has suffered the greatest blow in its history. All save a few diehards are deserting their posts and heading for Shanghai. Szechuan province, regarded as the greatest field for missionary work, is being evacuated systematically by its 503 missionaries of all faiths. Even the so-called Christian General Fengyuhsiang is hounding the missionaries from the territory under his control. A few missionaries in the, interior are held by Chinese as hostages against British reprisals, which are greatly feared by the Chinese as the result of the Hankow incident, which conservative Chinese consider overstepped the bounds of international friendship • —A .N. Z. C. A.

SIR AUSTEN CHAMBERLAIN CONFERS WITH OPPOSITION LEADERS. LONDON, Jan. 20. In accordance with custom, Sir Austen Chamberlain had conferences with Mr. Ramsay McDonald and Mr. Lloyd George separately as leaders'of the Opposition, and explained the position regarding China, especially the precautionary measures which the Government is adopting.—A. and N.Z C.A.

TROOPS TO BE SENT BY SPAIN. LONDON, Jan. 21. The Daily News Madrid correspondent that a detachment of troops is also going to Shanghai. (Received Jan. 21. 8.20 p.m.) MADRID, Jan. 20.

De Rivera and his A!blisters, alter a long conference, decided to send a cruiser to China with orders to protect the religious missions.— V. and N.Z.C.A. lIANKOAY QUIET. 'SERIOUS SITUATION AT KUIKIANG. ANTI-FOREIGNER ISM R AMP ANT AT MANY TOWNS. (Received Jan. 22. 1.35 a.in.) PEKIN, Jan. 21.

A naval wireless message reports that the Hankow situation is quiet. Conversations are proceeding between Air. O’Alalley and Chen. At Kuikiang the situation is serious. The French consul was held a prisoner by strike pickets and was released only on the foreigners undertaking that he would not leave the concession. At leliang virulent anti-British posters have been distributed, and more refugees left for Hankow. At Shasi the milltary endeavored, to commandeer a British tug. but the warship Cockchafer effected a release. Anti-for-etenerism is rampant at Amo), Foochow, Swatow and Canton.—Sun.