Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1927-03-31
NEWS REVIEW OF
CURRENT EVENTS
War Activities in China Fo-
Gus Interest of the
World.

THE killing OF a number Of Ameri-
can and British citizens by Boil
shevik Chinese mobs during the week
ending March 26 has brought the cri-
sis in China to the verge OF war. I'LL
timatums have been delivered by the
American and British commanders de-
handing that the lives OF their ma
tionals be protected. Failure to com
ply will mean that Marking will be
treated as a military area subject 70
bombardment and attack by the Amer
lean and British forces. Following
the fall of Shanghai to the Canton
ese army the armies of the north
China war lord evacuated the cities OF
Marking and Chinkiang without
fight, but following the occupation of
Marking by the Cantonese the south
China forces opened fire, on March "a,
on groups of foreigners concentrated
there awaiting embarkation on Amer
lean destroyers, killing some Ameri-
cans and some British. There We're
1856 Americans included In the group
OF foreigners subjected to the Chinese
bombardment, which was at once re-
piled to by both American and British
warships. The foreigners were con-
centrated for evacuation on a hill in
the northern part of the city, where
the Standard Oil company plant is To-
Gated. The Smelling by the southern
irregulars began shortly before a p. m.
A few minutes later the United States
destroyers Noa and Preston, which
had las American women and children
aboard, and the British cruiser Emer-
aid shelled the area surrounding the
hill. With the object of opening the
way for the immediate evacuation of
the foreigners, combined American
and British forces were landed.
America, number of European ma
tons and Japan were represented by
land and naval contingents at Shang-
hal when the Cantonese army cap
tured the native city on March 20.
The main force Of soldiers and ma
rines landed for the protection Of the
foreign settlement consisted Of $500
United States marines and 1900
British soldiers. To these were added
small numbers Of French and Jap
anese sailors and marines. The fall
of the city was followed by general
strike of factory workers in all indus
tries involving several thousand work
men, bringing with it reign of terror
throughout both the native and foreign
sections. The Central Labor union, i'm
mediately following the declaration of
a general strike, issued pistols and am
munition to 500 workmen, who imme-
diately went cunning for British
troops and police and evacuatlng north
ern soldiers.
Because Of the presence Of Ameri-
can and British troops in the foreign
section disorders there were minimized
to large extent, but disturbances
ragged in the adjoining native areas.
There was constant sniping from alley
the northern. or Chapel, district of the
city, adjacent to the railway station,
laborers attempted to avenge them
selves upon force of about 1900
northern soldiers. who battled for the
small district, unable to escape
American marines guarded the Mark
ham road bridge leading from the ma
tive city into the foreign settlement,
and prevented the Cantonese army
from entering the foreign section of
the city. This bridge Is strategic
point In the factory district, particu-
larly susceptible to labor agitations,
and an important thoroughfare, the
scene of many conflicts In the past be-
tween the Chinese and foreigners. At
this point one American was wounded
BY March % Admiral c. s. Williams,
In command of the United States
naval forces, and Colonel Hill, In COM
mand of the American marines, had
rearranged their forces to meet any
recrudescence Of the rioting, looting,
burning, and killing which ragged In
the native section for 80 hours after
Its fall to the south China nationalists.
The American officials expressed con
tidence that the Cantonese regulars,
then holding the native city, would
prevent any new disturbances