1925-06-24 — Page 1

@HINA MAIL, JUNE 24, 1925.

FATAL SHAMEEN CLASH.

Canton, June 23.

Thousands of students, workmen, citizens, and soldiers paraded along the Bund around . the European q uärter. They opened fire opposite the Victoria Hotel in the British Concession...

British and French Marines replied with machine guns. The firing lasted twenty minutes.

A French merchant named Pasquier, and the Commissioner of Customs were killed.. One British Marine and two civilians wero wounded....

All the evidence indicates that the Chinese fired first. - Router.

EYEWITNESS'S STORY:- The report that the Chinose fired first is confirmed to a certain extent by the statement made to a "China Mail" representative this morning by the compradore of W. A. Hannibal & Co., who was one of the passengers on the Sai On which was alongside at the Canton sido when the firing took place.

"I saw many schoolboys and workmen marching along the Bund about half past two yesterda y afternoon, he said. 'And when they had got about half way past Shame on they fired shots across to the Shameen side, The fire was roturned. Rain camo down heavily about the same time and I saw the people running but vory little else. The Bai on remained alongside. for many Hours and I saw foreigners leaving Shamoen for the gunboats.."

TheChina, Ma11" informant said that his information had been first that twenty Chinese had been killed as a result of the fire from shameen and then, that fifty hai been killed. It was impossible to ascor- tain anything dofinite in this respect as tho Sai on had its own difficulties to contend with, the seamon having loft to attend a meeting on shore at which they were to bo told wuthor or not they would be allowed to man the ship to bring it back to Hongkong. The crow returned and said that they were to be allowed to make the trip. The ship left about 7 p.m. and arrived in Hongkong early this morning.

A man in a sampan who was making for the Sai On from Shamoon was killed when within a fow feet of the boat, according to our informant, who added that as the boat passed Honan about 9 p.m. he observed soldiers of Gonoral Li Fook-lam's army leaving Honam for Canton

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PANIC OF GROWDS. Sofa tho rumour that a detachmont of the East Surreys 1a.to leave Hongkong for Centou today is not confirmed offcially, but it is significant that the .8. Paul 30au which arrivod in Hongkong-carly this morning, from Canton, is now lying off Stonecutterfe Island, and that the Salon, also from Canton, is undor orders to leave for the same port. At pro- sent the Sal On 18 alongside the wharf and

1. EDWARDS NOT KILLED.

Canton, Juno 24.

Mr. Edwards was wounded, not killed. Router.

refugees are still swarming the vicinity. The crowds which have come down" from Canton are said to be as large as those going to that city. The crowds on the wharf at present seem puzzled what to do. They drift on and off the ships according to whether or not.it is raining at the time.

They all appear to be orkude "through" and, bo to vong uisconsolate, A guard of Volunteers is on duty at the wharvos. A Wost River steamer appears to be the only boat that will leave today for the "- "China Mail" understands that no ships will loave for Canton for the present. The Vessels tied up here, it is statod, will be used to house European refugees from Sha2 meen arriving by the a.. Honam in large numberd this afternoon. The Honam is reported to have beon manned by naval ratings. The refugees are said to number 600 -- though one report puts the figure.

2,500. The wounded are aboard, it is dod and the ambulance will moet the tossal here.

STRIKE ITEMS.-. A Chinese servant employed by a Knutsford Terrace European was stabbed in the neck and head, by two unknown Chinese at Kowloon yesterday. The first case under the Emergency: Rogula- tions forbidding the export of more tha $6 from the Colony was hoard at Kowloon Magistracy this morning when a Chinese coolie who tried to leave by the Canton train with $64.60 had the balance confie- catod and the $5 returned to him. :-

Dr. S. W. Q'so has booḥ appointed Controller of Chinose Labour to act in conjunction with Mr. G. M. Young. His office will be at the City Hall and Chinese, whether British subjects or not, willing to volunteer their services, 'oither for gonoral work or for the Pollog Roserve should apply to him there without dolay.

i. The meat workors wont on strike today,. also all workmen employed by Japanoso. All bakers will be out by this evening; the coolios and the cargo-coolies aro expected to striko tomorrow or the day after morrow. The vegetable coolios have, /.. docidod, not to strike but they will, It is said, consider their decision should they be subjected to intimidation.