1927-12-12 — Page 5

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THE HONG KONG DAILY PRESS, MONDAY, DECEMBER 12th, 1927.

THE CURRENCY IN PIRACY PLAN

CANTON SEIZED BY THE

FIRES AND SERIOUS CASUALTIES REPORTED..

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 fèrce along the Bund The cause of the outbreak was an attempt by General Wong Kie Cheung, to disarm the forces under General Mak 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 Taai Hain, who are at any time expected to make a 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 strike 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.

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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 Hain was prescribing 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 aspiring disappointment and then hatred among the self- appointed labour leaders and others who thought to have put the Government in their pockets.

RAILWAY AND STEAMBOAT SERVICES suspended.

The 8.05 express from Carton did not leave yesterday morning. The first train from Kowloon to Canton set out'he usual, but turned back-after-reaching Namkong. The driver heard firing and be prudently stopped and the train arrived back at Kowloon at about

5 p.m.

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The The river eteamer service has also been suspended. Taishan did not sail from Canton last night but is expected this the afternoon. The only ship to leave Canton yesterday was Sai On." Her Chinese crew went on strike, forced out it was said' by Seamen's Unior pickets, but she was brought down, crowded with passengers, by British naval ratings.

The Chinese ss. Tat On sailed for "Canton last night-the only ship to do ao-and she was crowded, many would-be passen-.. gers having to be turned away. The as. Kuangtung 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 6.5. Heng Chong which arrived at Macao on Saturday brought a large number of passengers and a good deal of heavy luggage. These 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 than 2,000 passengers. British bluejackets manned the

·REDS" IN CONTROL ON NORTH SIDE OF RIVER.

[FROM OUR CHINESE CORRESPONDENT.] "

"

a

The Reds in Canton effected a successful coup"yesterday against the Government. The workmen on the North side of the River joining the rebels 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.

General Chang Fat Fui 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 few supporters from the working class.

ORDER TO DISARM

RESISTED.

station. There was no trouble at Namkong.

REDS."

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.

S.S. "TUNG »ON."

CAPTAIN'S PROMPT

PRECAUTIONS.

(FROM OCB CHINESE CORRESPONDENT from the waterfront throughout the

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Piracy, rumours spread quickly

Chinese districts laat Saturday more than a scars but there were evening. Fortunately, it was

plenty of grounds for supposing that something was very wrong up river.

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. sad the staff of the 4th Army Corps is nominally functioning as in this manner. It hapes. by these became known that a message had

The financial troubles of the Bank of Central China in Canton are by no means over. Recently the Bank was paying out coin in exchange

The story, as it was 'first, heard for notes, but this is being dis-in Hong Kong, was that the s.. couraged though not absolutely Tung On, a river steamer belong. stopped. Every shop with a capital of Connaught Rond Central and ing to the Tung On Steamship Co., of over $100 will have to pay seven run by them between Hong Kong per cent, towards a sinking fund and Canten. had been pirated The Government ha pronrised this port.

while on the way from Canton to eight per cent. on all money raised

usual. Their work must be nil, for the troops (the 4th Army Corps) have turned over to the new regiae and General Li has been formally removed from all offices in Canton However, his military headquarters remain-e staff without an army,

The quarrel is now a triangular

affair among the West Hill, the Kwangtung, aud the Kwangi sections of the Kuomintang. Ita chief effect to date is to enhance 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, now, of course, A brother-in-law of General Chiang, has been quietly working in the interest-of-bis-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 Kuoarintang government Mr. Seong! will probably return to his old position of Minister of Finance.

On the other hand it is regarded as almost impossible to reconcile the Kwanga clique, led by Generals Pei Taung Hai. Li Chung Jen. Li

Tsai Hein, and Wong_Shiu Hung, to the return of Chiang to power.

notes in

drastic measures to reduce the cirenlation by several hundred million dollars. The General Chamber of Commerce has been asked to be a joint trustee, with the Central Bank and the Financial

Bureau of this fund.

The Kwangtang Buress of Finance is doing everything it can to bring in all outstanding revenue and is offering

for

The rumours increased when it

ing all ratings of H.M.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

taken place and she did not sail.

been shown at the cinemas recall.

only the prompt action of the 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 "Baturday tempting discount prompt payment. Since December citement along the waterfront and evening there was considerable ex- 1st over $1,750,000 has been collecra crowd of Chinese Around the ed and it is hoped that about Wing, Lok Street wharf were $6,000,000 will be brought in before shan (one of the Steamboat Com

awaiting the arrival of the Lung- the end of the month. The revenue pady's night boats) and another will be greatly reduced by the de-crowd were awaiting the arrival

fection of Swatow

Canton notes were being-private- exchanged in Canton at 92 last Saturday, while they were accepted at their face value as legal tender, the merchants having readjusted their prices to meet the fluctuation "of the paper money,“

of the Tung On, at this steamer's wharf.

The first message, received here. at 5.43 p.m. was from the Master of the Lungshan, Capt. G. H Madden to the effect that he had message from the received

Captain of the Tung On that he had reason to think that an at- tempt to pirate the Tung On was ty be made of Sampanchau, and the vessel would be in the area at about 7 p.m.

The landlords in Canton City during the first five days of De

By the time the Lungshan berth- ember contributed nearly 85000 ed at Wing Lok Street on Satur towards the war chest of the Knoday night Chief Detective Inspec

tor Reynolds, Detective Inspector Lane, Sub-Inspector Carey, and other members of the detective force, were awaiting her. It was not until a Daily. Press representa tive, in company with other press-

Madden that it was definitely as certained that no piracy had taken place.

mintang by order of the Authorities. Policemen went from door to door with the tax collectors to urge people to pay in early and for

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Kwangsi leaders are expected to launch their attack on Kwangtung.

Passenger launches and trade and if this is successful Chiang's junks 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- days owing to the requisitioning by. unification of either the Kuomin- the military of junks and also steam tang or the Republic of China. launches 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 for fortune of war favours Kwangtung are fally on the look out the Special Commission of the launches. Kuomintang in Nanking will have to go, and General Chiang will re- appear as the head of two lactions --for a time:

The Kwangsi clique have made Swatow the base of operations against Kwangtung and Canton with Wachow also likely to play an important part.

LATEST NEWS,

NORTH AND SOUTH OF CITY AT WAR.

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 not be faithful to the day. The s.s. Sai Un crew left the

Up to yesterday afternoon, the vessel in Canton, and British naval Kwangtung cause, General Wong aid had to be sought to bring the North side of Canton was "Red," Kie Cheung ordered them to bo

steamer hack. Pending informa- all workmen taking part in the fight disarmed and disbanded, and on

tion from Canton, steamers decided wearing red arm bands after being! their refusal to obey a struggle not to leave Hong Kong.

given a rifle or some other weapon. started at Shau Kau Ling, Eastern:

The workmen in Honam," the Suburb, in Canto, early yesterday morning and up to yesterday after

South side of Canton, were still "white." noon, the issue had not been de cided...

The Canton Art Club, or Chek Sha, which has just finished hold ing a successful exhibition in the Chinese Y.M.C.A. at Canton, will show the same exhibits at Hong Kong during Chinese New Year, most likely at the Canton Chris tian College Primary School at Happy Valley. Many members of the club paint in the Western style having been students at

..

The Lungthan is a faster boat than the Tung On, and had left Canton enrlier, thus being ahead of the Tang On on the way down.

Captain Madden said that a "Expect to be pirated message': of Sampanchau was received from the Tung On at 5.9 p.m.

In Touch With The Naval Authorities.

At onee 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 herthing, the Lungthan, by means of her wireless, kept in constant touch with both the Naval authorities here (on H.M.S. Haw- kins, flagship of the China Station) and with the Tung On.

The Tung On came into port about 11 p.m., and when the master was-interviewed by a Daily Press reporter he said that just before four o'clock that afternoon he was given certain information which led him to see the Senior Naval Officer at Canton. It was agreed that the Indian guard on board REDS SUPPLIED WITH ARMS. American universities and art would be absolutely useless, but schools. Among the exhibitors" is that to avoid trouble an escort It was found, a Hong Kong boy, Mr. Lee Y. Tong, would be necessary.

however, that mo ship was avail. a brother of Alfred Lee of the able for this purpose, and the next Chinese Office of the Canadian best course, was adopted, of keep. Pacific Steamship Company, Mring 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

It appears that a Chinese, dress- is also showing his work.

Young people in Canton are ed in a long coat, came on board taking up dancing very keenly and the Tung On just before the every evening, the Hotel Aaia, 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 crow and invited The South Garden is him to come to a ten-house with dances. Practically all the native bankspecially catering for the dancing him. The seaman refused, but the

enthusiasts.

stranger put a number of ques General Mok Hung formerly scr V- ed under General Hsu Chung Chi,

in Bup Sam Hong, Canton, have been looted.

Among recent visitors to Canton tions with regard to the general when .ho

was Mrs. H. C. Mei, president of lay of the boat, engine room and was commander-in-chief

Officials In Flight.

He The .. Tai Shan is expected

"wiree over the bridge," etc. the National Committee of the of the Cantonese Army. Since the coup d'etat of November 17th from Canton this, Monday after-

Several Canton officials arrive at Young Women's Christian Associa was told that the "wires over the

bridge" Hong Kong by the as. Sai On last tion, who lives in Shanghai, where with other chips and land, but the were to keep in touch General Wong Kie Cheung has been enlisting support from every No steamer except the s.s. Yuet night, including. Mr. Lee Chang her husband is a lawyer. Mrs. Mei is available source, and General Mok On smiled. for Canton leat night. Tat. Commissioner of Civil Affairs, a graduate of Columbia University man he questioned declared he knew was invited to participate in the She was crowded and many had to and General Fung Chí Kie, Chief and a sister of Mrs. Peter Hing of thing about the engine room. coming struggle against the Kwang-be turned away. Among the pasof Staff to General Chu Fai Yat. Canton. Mrs. Mei paid, a visit to si Cliquo. Many of General Mok's sengers who left Hong Kong for It is understood that the Caaton men wore bandits recruited from the Canton on her were Miss Lice Moa"Reda" were dissatisfied with the district around Bias Bay and other Shing, a daughter of late Mr. Liao action of the Kuomintang leaders parts of Walloy and Waichow Chung Hoi, a former civil Gover-in Shanghai and Canton.

Fires And A Strike.

nor of Canton, and Mr. Shu Seng |

The object of the "Reds" seems Chu, a son of the Commissioner for

to simply create disturbance for the Foreign Affairs in Canton,

The an Sai On did not arrive

up to 12 o'clock last night, and she was being brought by British naval ratings Sho was said to be carrying a large number of passen- her before she gailed. bers. The Chinese crew deserted

дост

Banks' Looted.

The .. Awangtung which was time being, no one believes that

·

the Canton T.W.C.A. which is ons of the first branches to have it own grounds and buildings. Recent- ly the Canton Y.W.C.A inaugurated an industrial school for girls, and Mrs. Mei formally declared it open.

When this conversation WBA TE ported to the Captain of the Tang On he at once took all precautions possible, such as the locking of the grilles, etc.A

Quite Convinced.

The Captaia of the Tung. On expressed a firm opinion that there

Mr. T. T. Lee, managing-director was something in the story, and he

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Special searching of passengers

Several fires broke out in Canton City yesterday, and it was said that there were labour troubles as to have sailed at ten o'clock last they will be able to form a "Soviet"

of the Yueh-Han Railway; until he had no doubt, a piracy, had been haved deterred the pirates from H.M.S. MOORHEN" TO well as a mutiny among certain night requested all passengers to Government in Canton.

was dismissed several weeks ago on planned he considered Sanpan-

INVESTIGATE. units of the troops in Canton.

land as she had to postpone her Wang Ching Wel's Warning.

charges of corruption will be re-chau to be the most likely place attacking near Banpanchau. No Trains,"

sailing just before her scheduled de A report says that Mr. Wang leased from jail to-day, provided (about half way between here and

"WAISHING." Owing to fighting near Cantonparture.

Ching Wei wired to Canton several that his fine of 850,000 (reduced Canton) for he did not believe the leaving the Tung On was carried SEQUEL TO ATTACK ON 8.8. City, both the incoming and out- The a Heng Chong which are days ago warning the Government Froth $100,000), is paid. Mr. Lee pirates would have taken much out by the police, but no arrests

were made, so far sa is known."

HLM.S. Moorhen, one of the 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 Forte.

Among the passengers travelling Later however Capt. Madden trains yesterday were interrupted. brought a large number of passen to watch the Russian Consulate, come rich as a result of having held The morning express from Canton gers, some with heavy luggage and bet the Canton Authorities did not office. He declares that after changed his mind on this point down on the Tury On was Mr. Ng British gunboats on the West did not start, while the one leaving it appears that some persons must take action in time, baring decided several years in the services of his and said that he thought that the wok Ying, Chief of Detective River, has been ordered to Amherst Kowloon for Canton 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 forts would Bureau at Carton Police Head Point to investigate the firing on back apon reaching Namkong happen.

by an armed launch last Thursday. in cash and $25,000 in other assets. (Continued at foot of next solumn) quarters. He stated that he heard the Indo-China steamer faithing

nothing of the intended piracy,

action.

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