1927-12-20 — Page 5

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CANTON'S DESIRE FOR PEACE.

THE HONG KONG DAILY PRESS, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20th,

DOUBLE MENACE FROM KWANGSI AND THE REDS.

3.600 REFUGEES ARRIVE HERE YESTERDAY.

According to information gathered by our representative from passengers aboard the Fatshan which arrived here earlier than". usual last night it was believed that the "Reds" are massing to the North of Canton and preparing another attack on the city. At present everything is quiet, but dead bodies still litter tha streets and the business is only slowly reetarting." Refugees cou tinue to pour into Hong Kong, over 9,000 arriving last night by the Fatehan and Tung On.

The city is faced with the double fear of attack by the Reds and by the Kwangai "militaris. Efforts are being made to securo a peaceful settlement but opinion in Chinese circles is not optimis- tic General Li Tsai Hain, who is said to be on his way to Swatow, has a strong personal following in Canton, but the Kwangsi group under Wong Shiu Hung is not wanted,

There have been rumours of Eghting in the West River dis- trict but the big clash has yet to come.

The work of organising relief is going forward and an appeal for funds has been issued to Cantonese all the world over.

RIVER STEAMERS ".

C

PEACE THE NEED. [FROM OUR CHINESE CORRESPONDENT.

KWANGSI TROOPS":

VICTORY.

[FROM OUR CHINESE CORRESPONDENT.] After the battle at Takhing. between the Kwangtung and the Kwangai troops, the former retreat- ed to Canton, according to the latest report. The pro-Kwanger forces are said to have arrived at Shishing, midway between Wuchow and Canton.

Pro-Kwangsi troops are Alad marching westward from the Swatow section, and.

regular Kwangtung troops have been sent to check their advance.

די, :

CANTON OFFICIALS' VIEWS.

At present Canton officials are divided the military section, led by Generals Li Fook Lam, Sit Agok, Fung Ting Ying, and Cha Fai, are not unfavourable to the return of General Li Tsai Hain, the leader of the Kwangsi olique, to power; while the civil section, headed by Meaare. Chan Kung Pok, Kan Nei Kuang, and Chen Shih Jen, would welcome the participa tion of General Chea Ming Shu in

Canton affairs..

GENERAL YEH TING'S SEAL,

CANTON SCHOOLS.

PEASANT BANDS.

HOW THEY WERE ORGANISED.

ROBBING PETER TO PAY PAUL

AN ATTRACTIVE SYSTEM,

A Chinese correspondent has fur- nished us with some details of the methods by which the Peasants organisations in Kwangtung are re- craited.

These bands, as is well-known,

were brought into being by the Kuomintang. They are permeated with communism and are sufficiently strong to terrorise whole districts.

All persons who rent land for cultivation aro eligible for member: chip.

The subscription to the Peasants Society is twenty cents a mouth, and as long as this sub- scription is regularly paid the mem- CROWDED.

bers are informed that they need pay only 60 per cent. of the rent Every effort is now being made Refugees are still pouring into the

sation of the Peasants guarantee- Colony, Well over 2,000 arrived by by non-partisan Chinese in Canton

due to their landlords, the organi. the Langshan and the Sai On on and Hong Kong to bring about an

An examination of the documents ing the individual from anything in Sunday night, and yesterday after armistice between the rival mili-seized from the short-lived "Soviet the nature of reprisals taken by tarists so as to save Canton City Government-in Canton" shows that non, the 3.5, Kinthan brought dop over 1,800, while the night from further ruin. General Li Tsai many of them have borne the pri- the unfortunate owner, of the land,

"Red boats, the Fatshan and Tung On, Hsin, General Wong Shi Hung.ate seal of General Yeh Ting, the The remaining forty percent of commander of the troops, the rent is not retained by the Mr. Hu Had Min. Mr. Goo Ying who had, for some time caused brought 700 and 1,300, respectively.

peasant farmer, but goes to swell the exchequer of the organisation. The capacity bookings have eco-Fang and others of their party are trouble, at Nanchang and Swatow.

It is an ingenious scheme which tinued right over the week-end and, announcing to the world that Can- indeed, the boats have been full ton in "Red" and that they must

bands the peasants together into All the schools in Canton man. ever since the recent outbreak at return to free the people from the

terror. As a matter of fact, the aged by foreign missionaries were comparatively rich bodies, capable closed during last week-end, and of purchasing arms and ammunition, Canton.

"Red" have been driven out practically all foreign teachers have temporarily at least and if the lees! left for Shameen. De Hong Kong by the simple process of robbing troops are permitted to concentrate The Lingnan University-foreign the landlords.

faculty is remaining at Honglok upon preventing their return, pence the campus of the institution, not and order can be preserved. Any ret having taken any action. attack by rival, troops on the pre- sent garrison will give the "Beds" a chance to come back. The "Reds" are not by any means "down and out," and the several hundred suspects caught and dealt with does not represent the real power and influential persoanel whom the Chinese want to get cid

There appears to be no prospect of any diminution in pasang

traffic from up the river, as further trouble is expected in Canton.

The thorough and systematic searching of all incoming steamers by the police and a special band of searchers continues unremitting- ly, but the detentions of suspects appears to be on the decrease now although nothing is being left to chance

THE KONGMOON SERVICE.

Although the Kongmoon situation is by no means easy, and there is still considerable ucrest with out- bursts of firing at passing shipe, the Kongmoon-Hong Kong service of steamers has again been resumed, and practically all steamers are now on the run.

The Wing On and Tai Lee sailed

ri

"

CANTONESE TROOPS.

A rumour was current early in the evening yesterday that Can tonese troops on the south side of the City (Honam) and those on the north side had come into con- flict, but no confirmation was pos- sible. It is true that the 5th Army Corps has withdrawn from the north to the south side.

:)

Our Chinese correspondent has from time to time given, da some account of the horrible cruelties perpetrated by these peasant bands in different parts of the province, and particularly in the Hoifang and Laklung districts which have suffer ed terribly.

It is estimated that 10,000 people from these districts, aláne have sought refuge in Hong Kong during recent months. Over 1,000 of the residents there lost their lives and many houses have been given over to the flames in the looting and plundering which have been of fre. One well-known scholar was brutally tortured. He quent occurrence. Political Council in Canton to had his nose cut off and his tongue shorten their defence of the City torn out and was then paraded The Kwangtung troops when un- through the streets before being able to meet the enemy in the East-executed, come officials appointed to Cantonern and Western Districts, will

concentrate by the Central Exccutive Committee simply of the Kuomintang but will oppose

In view of the necessity of having General Li Fook Lam and other strong garrison in Canton to Cantonese holding military powered, it has been decided by the guard against the return of the

in Canton and' having homes of their own in the City have annuun ced that they will be glad to wel.

on Sunday night with heavy pasall non-Cantonese, trying to take sengers. bookings and fain cargo, and the Ou Lee and San Jam Ho left laat evening. All vessels have

fair bookings.

SNIPING IN WEST RIVER.

The Tai Ming has been fired at in the West River. .She was ap

prosching Dosing in the early hours

advantage of the present troubles

around Canton City.

their men

MR. CHU CHAO HSIN.

1927.

THE REPORT TO SHANGHAI

HOW REINFORCEMENTS ARRIVED.

RUSSIAN CONSULATE

BLAMED.

[TROM QUE CHINESE CORRISPONDENT. ]

In reporting the Canton “Red” uprising to Mr. Wang Ching Wei and General Chiang Kai Shek in Shanghai, the Political Council at Canton, wired, in part, as follows:

"On the early morning of Decem-

ber 11th, at about three o'clock, taking advantage of the absence of the regular troops in the West and Enst River sectors and while the City was devoid of a garrison, the Reda commenced nation on the North Parade Ground, the disaffect members of the Training Corps joining in the mutiny. They killed Colonel Cha fin, Fang, Chief of Staff, and more than 30 other of ters and men. Some cadets also joined, and they together with some disaffected men of the Emergency Corps succeeded in killing Colonel Yu Cheng of their force. Tang Kai Yan and Surgeon Chang

"At the same time, the 'Reds' made a vigorous search for Chan Kung Pok, Chang Fat Fui, Wonk

The Russians from the Soviet ie Cheung, Chu Fai Yat, and Chau

Consulate directed the 'Red' opera tions during the attack.

Min Cho.

"Mr. Chan, Kung Pok and others, on hearing of the uprising, hurrily left the north for the south side of the City to assemble at the Head- quarters of the sth Army Corps. At the same time, orders to return and relieve Canton City were issued to the 26th Division at Shiühing who were told to despatch one

regiment; the 2nd Division at Kong- moon, two regiments; the 3rd Divi sion at Whampoa, one; regiment: the 5th Corps at Fateban,' two battalions; and the 8th Corpe at At the Shiukwan, one regiment.

me time,, General. Li Fook Lam took up the defence of Honam, while Mr. Chan Kung Pok and General Chang Fat Fui went aboard the Canton, ss. Po Pek to join Naval Commandant Fung Shiu Ming and direct the flotilla then in the Harbour. General Wong Kie Cheung took command of the s Kong Tai and shelled the Reds along the Bund on the north side of Canton....

"On the same day Mr. Chan" and

General Chung went by gunboat to Rongmoon to hasten the return of re-inforcements from that port and from Kongmoon for Shishing on a on the evening of the 19th departed

similar mission, 7

On the might of December 12th. the 6th Regiment of the 5th Corps

CORRESPONDENCE. re-occupied the heights of the Hill

Mr. Chu Chao Hsin, Commis- GERMANS AT TUNGSHAN.

DAILY PRESS."]

ton; is expected in Hong Kong in [TO THE EDITOR OF THE “HONG KONe a day or two on business. Mr. Chu, in addition to other duties, is head of the Relief Bureau and is Attending to the reconstruction and charity work necessitated by the Hong Kong merchants and discuss recent catastrophe... He will meet the question of Canton relief.

to conquer the territory and subjectsioner for Foreign Affairs of Can- the Cantonese to misrule and out side interference."

Chen Ming Shu the Cantonese General in command of troops in Fooshow, is expected to mediate is the present rivalry between the of last Friday morning when she Kwangtung and Kwangsi groups was fired upon from the river bank, Thinking that the place was under and great hopes are, being ccatred martial law, the master anchored on his ability to bring about a settle- and waited until daylight, When ment. General Weng Shiu Hung, the ship again approached Dosing at about seven o'clock, and in full of Kwangsi, will be urged to return | daylight, she was again fred upon to Wuchow, instead of attacking by Chinese, who are said to have Canton City! aimed at the navigating bridge. The ship bears several bullet marka CANTON QUIET,

[FROM OUR CHINESE COXRESPONDENT.1

BUSINESS AS USUAL? Notwithstanding reports to the contrary, the Chinese merchants in Canton have shown their usual forti- Canton was quiet during the last tude and have just issued a circular two days but despite this, the through, their five principal trade exodus continued, and at least 1,611 people icit for Hong Kong guilds that the Reds" have been by the Kinshan yesterday: driven off and that trade may be Coming down with the crowd were resumed. They ask that those ia Beveral members of the Kuomin tang City Committee whe assisted other ports should resume business the Hong Kong Police by pointing relations and continue their usual out "Red" suspects and other per- shipments of goods to Canton, " sons who should be..searched, and nearly a dozen young men and

RELIEF WORK ORGANISA- women, including two girls from the Chop Shup School, were detained.

TION.

A committee of relief and recon

Since the departure of General Wong Kie Cheung for Hong Kong, the situation in Canton has eased struction has been appointed with His troops, who were suspected of three representatives from each of "Red" sympathies are now com- manded by another general of very the five leading, commercial or ganizations. The authorities have opposite viewE.

appropriated $300,000 to initiate the work, and a call will be made on Cantonese in all parts of the world to support this gigantic relief work. Pending the restoration of security

WANG CHING wei. Mr. Wang Ching Wei has left Shanghai, probably for France. He

WAL

RUSSIANS IN, CANTON.

|

CONFIRMATION OF VICE- CONSUL'S EXECUTION.

DOCUMENTS SEIZED. NOW BEING EXAMINED.

of the Goddess of Mercy and the White Cloud Mountain, and they were followed by detachments of the 28th, the 2nd, the 3rd Divisions and the 5th Corps which succeeded

in landing on the Bund the morn ing of the 13th, when they recap- tured the City completely. Among over a thousandReds' captured in Sin.—A notice in your issue of the struggle were more than ten the 14th inst. under the heading Russians, Gunboat, states that 25 Germans Soviet Consulate in Canton has been International Rescues by British "It has been proved that the were amongst the refugees from used as the headquarters of the Tungshan on H. M.8. Moorhen, and goes on as follows: "It appears that the foreign community at Tungshan has not been entirely evacuated as about six British sub jects and some other foreigners refused to leave." Neither of these statements is quite correct, As in the Germans are concerned, permit me to state that the correct figures were as follows: On HH.S. Moorhen were 4 men, 12 women and 14 children. At Tungshan re-

chiki.

As

the

A telegram received from Cantonmained 51 men, 6 women and on Saturday confirms the statement

Thanking you for previously published that the Soviet

space Vice-Consul, M. Hassis, was among granted for publishing these figures.

Yours, etc.,

A. SCHUBERT. the five Russians executed on De

Canton, Dec. 17th, 1927.

cember 14th. He is said to have been caught with other Russians, directing the revolutionaries at Police headquarters when the latter were re-taken by the troops.

It is also reported that the Consul-General and the remainder of the staff of the Consulate are under arrest. Many papers, were seized in the Soviet Consulate and these are now being examined.

The political situation in Canton is still uneasy and there are rumours of impending trouble between mili- tary leaders in Canton.

ARMS AND SEDITIOUS LITERATURE. [CANTON NEWS AGENCY.)

DEATH FROM ELECTRIC SHOCK.

JURY'S RECOMMENDATION,

EXAMINING OF INSTALLA TIONS EVERY 3 YEARS.

"

Sitting as Coroner at the Central Magistracy yesterday, Major C. Willson with a jury conducted an enquiry into the death of a Chinese from an electric shock while work- ing in the basement of the Charter A joint telegra under date of ed Bank building on December 6th. December 17th sent out by General Mr. A. E. Clark, senior inspector

#

Red intrigue to cause disturb once among the unemployed of the recent Canton strike and to urge the unprincipled elements of the Training and the Emergency Corps to revolt: and that the uprising bas been fostigated by Genedal La Tani Hrin and General Fang Chok Man. who ordered the bandita of the East River under Yuan Hah Kau and others to enter the city on midnight of the 10the

"It is understood that the up-

rising wae to have taken place on

the 15th, but it has been discovered by Commissioner Chu. Fai Yat who later effected a number of arrests.

"The pillage and destruction of property involved all the sections Wingbonnamioo. Taipingsha, Yaggehunakai, Kotnikai, and the Central Bank of China building. The bank's strong room remained intact,"

of

The report concluded with a TC- commendation to sever all relations with the Soviet and promised that work of relief and reconstruction will be carried out.

A SNATCHER'S REWARD.

TWO YEARS IN GAOL

A Chinese who pleaded guilty to a charge of larreny by anatching the sum of $375 from a Chinese pig dealer from Kwong Chow, Wan, was sentenced to two years hard labour

to have made America his in the City, a committee of tem- destination, but the American Authorities are said to have raised Porary district watchmen has been Chang Fat Fui, Mr. Chan Kung of the Electric Department of the by Mr. Justice JE. Wood at the

ur- appointed, and it will try to an objection to his landing..

This money was received by the Madame Sun Yat Sen wiring ganize in every street and ward Rok, and General Li Fuk Lam to P.W.D., expressed the opinion that Criminal Sessions yesterday.

Messrs. Wang Ching Wei and a leakage had apparently existed patrols for self-defence. from Moscow, protests against the As a precaution against the return Chiang Kai Shek and the Central along the whole length of the corrig dealer, so the result of business aeverance of relationship by the of the Reds" and other age 8 of Commissioners at Shanghai reads rugated iron roof of the vault, which he had transacted in Hong Kona was in some way brought into The prisoner was charged first with Kuomintang with the Soviet Gov-disorder, hotels have been warned as folows:

Canton, Dec. 17th contact with wet concrete forming larceny and threats of violence, and ernment Madame Sun has been in against receiving fresh guests until

When attacking the Communists the reinforcement of the partitions secondly with impla larceny 3loscow since last August.

A thorough search of the city for

Mr. T., 8. Whyte Smith (assist During the upheaval at least undesirables has been made.

on the 13th inst., more than ten on which the decensed was working 1,530 shops and bouses were looted,The newly organized Bureau of Russians were shot, and about the Witness thought that in the course ant. Crown Solicitor) prosecuted. according to reports received by Public Charity at Vitakmaico will same number of them made their of his work the man touched a Replying to His Lordship. Mr. the Police to date.

register all homeless persons requir escape by the North Route. In the circuit and received a fatal shock Whyte Smith said that 840 of the ing immediate relief, and the Com-Russian Consulate, we found two After hearing other evidence the amount stolen had not been recover missioner, Mr. Poon Tat Mei, has boxes of printed matter, preaching jury brought in a verdict of death ed. When the prisoner was chased, been ordered by the acting Mayor mutiny and a number of loaded by misadventure, adding a recom- after spatching the money from the to co-operate with the General pistols which we have confiscated, mendation that installations should pig dealer. be dropped some of the be examined once every three years, notes, and it appeared likely that Director of Relief, Mr. Chu Chao, Please advise, us by telegram as to Hsin, to represent the authorities in what, measures we shall take in by the Company supplying the some of the money had been picked

by other people. power. dealing with them." administering relief services..

FIGHTING STARTS? Fighting has been reported in the Takhing district of the West River between the Kwangtung and Kwangai troops.

up

Win. POWELL, Ltd.

Telephone C. 15783

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