THE HONG KONG DAILY PRESS, MONDAY, DECEMBER 12th, 1927.
CANTON SEIZED BY THE "REDS.”
FIRES AND SERIOUS ( REPORTED.
CASUALTIES
RAIL AND RIVER COMMUNICATION WITH HONG KONG SUSPENDED.
STRIKE OF THE SEAMEN'S · UNION,
"SAL ON" BROUGHT FROM CANTON BY BRITISH BLUEJACKETS.
Fighting broke out yesterday in Canton and reports to hand state that very heavy casualties, occurred in the course of the struggle which was especially force along the Bund. The cause of the outbreak wie an attempt by General Wong Kie Cheung to disarm the forces under General Mok Hung. The latter refused to obey an order to move his troops to a certain part of the City and General Wong" ordered their disarmament. Fighting at once started and the upshot is as yet unknown.
It appears that General Mok's troops were recently recruited and contained a large proportion of the brigand element. They were suspected of favouring the Kwangsi section, headed by General Li Taal Hein, who are at any time expected to make s bid to regain control of Kwangtung and its capital. The struggle started at Shau Kau Ling, the Eastern suburb of Canton, early yesterday morning, and as far as can be gathered the trouble spread, to the disorderly elements, a atrike being called by the Seamen's Union. Fires have broken out in various parts of the city and there are reports of extensive damage being done.
A strike of the seamen against the present Government and in favour of the Kwangsi section seems almost unbelievable. "Only a short while ago General Li Tsai lain was proscribing their union-- and arresting the leaders, The present regime, from which much was expected by the disturbers of the peace, has, however, proved just as determined to maintain order and assert its own authority, thus inspiring disappointment and then hatred among the self- appointed labour leaders and others who thought
20 have put the Government in their pockets.
RAILWAY AND STEAMBOAT SERVICES SUSPENDED.
The 8.65 express from Canton did not leave yesterday morning. The first train from Kowloon to Canton set out as usual, but turned back after reaching Namkong. The driver heard fring and be prudently stopped and the train arrived back at Kowloon at about
p.m.
The river steamer. service has also been suspended. The Taishan did not sail from Canton last night but is expected this afternoon. The only ship to leave Canton yesterday was the Sai Q. Her" Chinese crew went on strike, forced out it was said by Seamen's Union pickets, but she was brought down, crowded with passengers, by British naval ratings.
The Chinese as Fat On sailed for Canton last night-the only ship to do so—and she was crowded, many would-be pasSEN- gers having to be turned away. The as. Awangtung which was to have sailed last night at 10 p.m. asked all her passengers to land as her departure had been indefinitely postponed. The Ka.. Heng Chung which arrived at Macao on Saturday brought a large number of paesengers and a good deal of heavy luggage. Those on board were probably people who had had a warning that trouble might be expected.
THE "SAI ON" ARRIVES.
LATER.
The Sai On arrived shortly after midnight from Canton with more than 2,000 passengers. British bluejackets manned the
"REDS" IN CONTROL ON NORTH SIDE OF RIVER. [FROM OUR CHINESE CORRESPONDENT.]
The Reds" in Canton effected a successful coup yesterday against the Government. The workmen on the North side of the River joining the rebela in large numbers. :
All police stations are now in the hands of the "Reds" Russian activity is suspected and the Soviet Consulate is said.
to have been the headquarters of the "Reds"
CENTRAL BANK OF CHINA DESTROYED.
The situation is regarded as very serious, many buildings being destroyed, among them the premises of the Central Bank of China Fires and looting. started early yesterday.
יי
General Chang Fat Ful and General Chu Fai Yat are both aboard the gunboat Kong Tai.
Things were quieter. on the South side of the River where the * Reds "" found very law supporters from the working class:
ORDER TO DISARM station. There was no trouble at
RESISTED."
Namkong.
The River Service. Canton-Hong Kong river steamer Suspecting that the newly re service was also interrupted yester- cruited troops of General Mok Hung would unt be faithful to the day. The .. Sai On crew left the vessel in Canton, and British naval Kwangtung cause, General Wong aid had to be sought to bring the Kie Cheung ordered them to be steamer back Pending informa- disarmed and disbanded, and on tion from Canton, steamers decided their refusal to obey a struggle started at Shad Kau Ling, Eastern not to leave Hong Kong.
The as Sai. Ox did not arrive Suburb, in Canton, early yesterday morning and up to yesterday after up to 12 o'clock last night, and noon, the issue had not been de she was "being brought by British cided..
aval ratings. She was said to be General Mok Hung formerly serv. Carrying a large number of passen- ed under General Heu Chung Chiers. The Chinese crew deserted when he was commander-in-chief her before she sailed.
of the Cantonese Army. Since the The 8.8. Tai Shan is expected coup d'etat of November 17th from Canton this Monday after- General Wong Kie Cheung has ['noon.
THE CURRENCY IN PIRACY PLAN
CANTON.
THWARTED? -
WILL CHIANG KAI EFFORTS TO MAINTAIN ITS SUSPICIOUS ENQUIRIES ON
SHEK RETURN? ·
DEPENDS ON RESULT OF KWANGTUNG-KWANGSI STRUGGLE.
ATTACK EXPECTED FROM
SWATOW.
[FROM OUR CHINESE CORRESPONDENT.]
VALUE.
DISCOUNT FOR PROMPT
REVENUE PAYMENTS.
[PROX OUR CHINESE CORRESPONDENT}
S.S. TUNG ON."
CAPTAIN'S PROMPT
PRECAUTIONS.
Piracy rumours spread quickly from the waterfront throughout the Chinese districts last Saturday The financial troubles of the Banknore than a acare but there were evening. Fortunately, it #13 20 at Central China in Canton are by plenty of grounds for appposing no means over. Recently the Bank that something was very wrong up
river. was paying out coin in exchauge couraged though not absolutely for notes, but this is being dis
stopped. Every shop with a capital of over $100 will have to pay seven per cent, towards a sinking fund.
The story, as it wɗe first heard
ing to the Tong On Steamship Co. in Hong Kong, was that the s Tung On, a river steamer belong- of Connaught Road Central and run by them between Hong Kong ad Caaton, had been pirated
On the surface Canton is quiet but a good deal of troop movement is going on, The headquarters of General Li Tsai Hain still remain unmolested by the present regime. The "Gavernment há proovised while on the way from Canton to
nad the staff of the 4th Army Corps is nominally functioning
usual. Their work must be nil, for the troops (the 4th Army Corps) have turned over to the new regime and General Li has been formally removed from all offices in Canton However, his military headquarters remain a staff without an army.
drastic measures
eight per cent. on all money raised in this manner. It hopes by these to reduce the notes in eirculation by several hundred million dollars. The General Chamber of Commerce has been asked to be a the Central Bank and the Financial joint trustee, with
Bureau of this fund
The Kwangtung Bureau of Finance is doing everything it can to bring in all outstanding revenue and is
discount for
1st over $1,750,000 has been collect Prompt payment. Since December
$6,000,000 will be brought in before ed had it is hoped that about
the end of the month. The revenue will be greatly reduced by the de- fection of Swatow.
this port.
became known that a message had The rpmours increased when it
been shown at the cinemas recall- ing all ratings of HM.S. Seraph, one of the destroyers now on the Station, to their ship. The Seraph it was found that no piracy had was ready to leave up river, but
only the prompt action of the taken place and she did not sail.
Unquestionably, however, it was Captain of the Tung On and his officers and the loyalty of the piracy, as there seems no doubt Chinese crew that prevented a that one was planned.
By nine o'clock on Saturday
a crowd of Chinese around the veuing there was considerable ex citement along the waterfront and
han (one of the Steamboat Cons Wing Lok Street wharf were Awaiting the arrival of the Lung- pady's night boats) and another crowd were awaiting the arrivat of the Tung On, at this atcamer's wharf.
The quarrel is now a triangular affair among the West Hill, the Kwangtung, and the Kwangsi sections of the Kuomintang. Its chief effect to date is to enhance offering tempting the opportunity of General Chiang Kai Shek to return to the leader ship of the Nationalist campaign against the militarists, of the North. Mr. T. V. Soong, bow, of course, a brother-in-law of General Chiang, has been quietly working in the interest of his sister's husband, acting as a go-between among-the! quarrelling factions and trying to get some sort of union with Chiang Kai Shek as Commander-in-Chief, If he succeeds in setting up a new Kuomintang government Mr.-Soong will probably return to his position of Minister of Finance.
On the other hand it is regardedcember contributed nearly 800000ed at Wing Lok Street on Satur- towards the war chest of the Kio day night Chief Detective Inspec
tor Reynolds, Detective Inspector the Kwangai clique, led by Generals mintang by order of the Authorities. Lane, Sub-Inspector Carey, and Fei Taung Hal, Li Chung Jen. Li Policemen went from door to
to door other members of the detective Toni Hsin, and Wong Shiu Hung, to the return of Chiang to power
old!
as almost impossible to reconcile
Caston notes were, being private- ly exchanged in Canton at 92 last Saturday, while they were accepted. at their face value as legal tender, the merchanta having readjusted their prices to meet the fluctuation of the paper money.
"The landlords in Canton City during the first five days of De
with the tax. people to pay.
The first message, received here at 3.45 p.m. was from the Master of the Lungshan, Capt. G?" H. Madden, to the effect that he bad received
2 message from the Captain of the Tung On that he had reason to think that an
That-
tempt to pirate the Tung On was to be made off Sampanchan, and the vessel would be in this area at about 7 p.m.
By the time the Lungshan berth-
not until a Daily Prens representa tive in company with other press
As soon as they are ready, the doug sotto urge force, were awaiting her. It was
Kwangsi leaders are expected to launch their attack on Kwängtung,
cent. discount..
and for lowed d
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per men and the police saw Captain The Anderson
Passenger launches and trade and if this is successful Chiang's junka plying between Canton City return to power will be frustrated, and neighbouring ports are hesitat Canton has always been a pointing to enter Canton Harbour these without which there can be no re-daya owing to the requisitioning ly unification of either the Kuomin. the military of junks and also steam tang or the Republic of China. Iaunches for towing service. Many The next ten days will be critical junks now filled with troops are for during them a decision should unable to leave "port for lack of be reached in Kwangtung. If the towing facilities and the authorities fortune of war favours Kwangtung are fully on the look out for the Special Commission ofthe launches. Kuomintang in Nanking will have to go and General Chiang will re- appear as the head of two factions
for a time.
The Canton Art Club, or, Chek Sha, which has just finished hold The Kwangsi clique have made Chinese Y.M.C.A. at Canton, will ing a successful exhibition in the Swatow the base of operations against Kwangtung and Canton with Wuchow also likely to play an important part..
LATEST NEWS.
REDS SUPPLIED WITH ARMS. | American
NORTH AND SOUTH OF CITY AT WAR.
Madden that it was definitely as certained that no piracy had taken place.
The Lungshan is a faster boat than the Tang On, and had left Canton earlier, thus being ahead of the Tung On on the way down.
Captain Madden said that a message: "Expect to be pirated from the Tung On at 5.9 p.m. of Sampanchau was received
In Touch With The Naval Authorities.
At once Captain Madden got in touch with the Naval Authorities at Hong Kong, and from then on until 9.45. p.m., half an hour be fore berthing, the Jungshan, by means of her wireless, kept in
line, flagship of the China Station) constant touch with both the Naval authorities here (on H.M.B. How- and with the Tung On.
show the same exhibits at Hong Keng during Chinese New Year, about 11 p.m., and when the master The Tung On came into port most likely at the Canton Chris was interviewed by a Daily Prest tian College Primary School at reporter he said that just before Happy Valley. Many members of given certain information which four o'clock that afternoon he was the club paint in the Wastern led him to see the Senior Naval style having been students at Officer at Canton. It was agreed that the Indian guard on board universities and art would be absolutely useless, but schools. Among the exhibitors is that to avoid trouble an escort. a Hong Kong boy, Mr. Lee Y, Tong, would be necessary. It was found, a brother of Alfred Lee of the able for this purpose, and the next however, that no ship was avail- Chinese Office of the Canadian best course, was adopted,, of keep- Pacific Steamship Company. Mr. ing in constant communication Louis Leung, a well known artist with Hong Kong and Canton, and teacher of drawing in Canton while on the way down. is also showing his work.
It appears that a Chinese, dress- Yourig, people in Canton are ed in a long coat came on board. taking up dancing very keenly and the Tug On just before the every evening, the Hotel Asia, steamer left. Canton. This man Western Hotel, and South Garden, seems to have gone to one of the along the Bund, have after-dinner members of the crew and invited dances. The South Garden is him to come to a tea-house with specially catering for the dancing him. The seaman refused, but the enthusiasts.
stranger put a number of ques Among recent visitors to Canton tions with regard to the general was Mrs. H. C. Mei, president of lay of the boat, engine room and Officials In Flight.
the National Committee of the wires over the bridge," etc: He Several Canton officials arrive at Young Women's Christian Associa was told that the wires over the Hong Kong by the s. Sai On last tion, who lives in Shanghai, where bridge were to keep in touch night, including Mr. Lee Chang her husband is a lawyer, Mrs. Mei is with other ships, and land, but the Tat, Commissioner of Civil Affairs, a graduate of Columbia University man he questioned declared he knew and General Fung Chi Kie, Chief and a sister of Mrs: Peter Hing of nothing about the engine room. of Staff to General Chu Fal Yat. Canton Mrs. Mei paid a visit to
Up to yesterday afternoon, the North side of Canton was 'Red," all workmen taking part in the fight wearing red arm bands after being given a ride or some other weapon. The workmen in Honami, the South side of Canton, were still "white."
.
Banks Looted.
Practically all the native banks in Sup Sam Hong, Canton, have been looted.
When this conversation was re-
been enlisting support from every No steamer, except the s.8. Yuct available source, and General Mok On sailed for Canton last night. was invited to participate in the She was crowded and many had to coming struggle against the Kwang be turned away. Among the pas si Clique. Many of General Mok's sengers who left Hong Kong for It is understood that the Canton the Canton Y.W.C.A. which is one ported to the Captain of the Tray men were bandits recruited from the Canton on her were Miss Line Mon "Reda were dissatisfied with the of the first branches to have its district around Bias Bay and other Shing, a daughter of late Mr. Liao action of the Kuomintang leaders, own grounds and buildings, Recent parta of Walloy and Waichow. Chang Hoi, a former civil Gaver in Shanghai and Canton.
Firés And A Strike. Several fires broke out in Canton City yesterday and it was said that there were labour troubles, as well as a mutiny among certain units of the troops in Canton,
No Trains,
Bor of Canton, and Mr. Shu Seng Chu, a son of the Commissioner for Foreign Affairs in Caston.
on be at once took all precautiona possible, such as the locking of the grilles, etc.
Quite Convinced. The Captain of the Tung" On expressed a firm opinion that there
by the Canton Y.W.CA. inaugurated The object of the Reds seems an industrial school for girls, and to simply create disturbance for the Mr. Mei formally declared it time being, no one believes that open..
Mr, T. T. Lee, madaging-director was something in the story, and he they will be able to form a "Soviet" Government in Canton,
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H.M.S.“ MOORHEN”. „TO INVESTIGATE.
SEQUEL TO ATTACK ON 6.8.. "WAISHING,A
The 3. Awanging which was to have sailed at ten o'clock last
of the Yueh-Han Railway, until he had no doubt a piracy had been haved deterred the pirates from night requested all passengers to
was dismissed several weeks ago on planned he considered Sanpan attacking dear Sanpanchau land as she had to postpone her Wang Ching Wet's Warning.
charges of corruption, will be rechau to be the most likely place sailing just before her scheduled de-
A report says that Mr. Wang leased from jail: to-day. provided (about half way between here and Special searching of passengers Owing to fighting near Canton parture...
Ching Wei wired to Canton several that his fine of $80,000 (reduced Cantem), for he did not believe the leaving the Tung: On was carried City," both the incoming and out- The .s. Heng Chong which days ago warning the Government from $100,000) is paid. Mr. Lee pirates would have taken much out by the police, but no arrests going Canton Kowloon express rived at Macao last Saturday to guard against the Reds" and denies strenuously that he has be-notice of the Bocca Tigris Forta were made, so far as is known.? trains yesterday were interrupted. brought a large number of passing to watch the Russian Consulate, come rich as a result of having had changed his mind on this point down on the fig On was Mr. Ng British gunbonte on the West Later however Capt Madden Among the passengere travelling HMS. Moorhen, one of the The morning express from Cantongers, some with heavy luggage; and but the Canton Authorities did not office. He declares that after did not start, while the one leaving it appears that some persons must take action in time, having decided several years in the services of his and said that he thought that the Kwok Ying/ Chief of Detective River, has been ordered to Amherst Kowloon for Cauton had to turn have been aware of what might to wait a day or two before taking party he is now worth only $15,000 proximity of the for would Burda a Canton Police Head Point to investigate the firing on „back upon reaching Namkong | þappen.
action.
in cash and $25,000 in other assets. Continued as foot of neat columa). He stated that be heard the Indo-Chins steamer Faishing nothing of the intended piracy. by an armed launch last Thursday.