New Britain herald., 1927-01-06
Situation Is Easier.

London, Jan. P}-Great Britain today was breathing a little easier over the tense situation at Hankow where seething crowds of Chinese Coolies have overrun the British concession.
 The slightest provocation on the part of the British. however. it is felt, is likely to turn the ugly crowds there into uncomfortable mobs.
 The foreign office this morning said that no further sensational e. velopment had occurred in Hanko~ since the British marines were with drawn Tuesday. British volunteers disarmed and the Chinese popula- ton allowed free access 10 the Brit ish quarter.
 The foreign office said that Eugene Chen. Cantonese foreign minister. had assumed full respon- sibillty for law and order within the concession, provided the British did not provoke the crowds by any display of force.
 The foreign office added that sen- sational reports from Shanghai re- gardins events at Hankow should be accepted with reserve.
 Hope To Avert Fight.
 London, Jan. 6 tP,-With Ameri- can and British warships racing up the Yangtze toward Hankow and all British women and children evacu- ated from that city, and 1chang and Kiukiang, hope was entertained here today that the crisis growing out of the virulent anti British movement among the Chinese of the Yangtze valley would pass without extensive bloodshed.
 Premier Baldwin and Sir Austen Chamberlain, the foreign secretary are understood to have been in fre- quent conference regarding the sit uation, but there was no indication this morning that the cabinet had yet been summoned to discuss the grave outlook.
 Political quarters say the govern ment is extremely desirous of pre- venting bloodshed or any occur .rences that would be likely to inter- fere with its policy of appeasement in China as indicated in its recent memorandum to the other powers in Picking.
 Don't Want To Fight.
 The reputed aim of the govern ment to prevent fighting is perhaps reflected in the moderate measures of force thus far announced. EX- cept for the sending of naval rein forcements from Hong Yong, it has has not gone far, the public is in formed, beyond ordering the de- stroyer. flotilla Rosyth, Scotland, to bring to full strength the comple- ment of its nine ships flor possible service in the Far East
 It is remarked in the press. how ever. that this is the first active military order issued by the British government since the World War.
 Some belief was expressed this morning with publication of a dis patch filed in Hankow late at night by Sir Percival Phillips for the Daily Mail saying that "at the mo- ment the situation is calm" and ad- ding the British, French and Amer ican naval forces are confined to their ships, ready 10 land if neces- sary."
 Foreigners Worried.
 The foreigners in the city. how ever. he added. showed extreme un- oasiness, especially in the British where they were wholly upon the protection of Chinese troops against a mob which had been roaming the streets since mid afternoon.
 Heavy Street Fighting.
 Other Hanhow advices said heavy street fighting was in progress be- tween the Chinese police and mobs of Coolies who swarmed into the British concession. The Union Jack was said to have been hauled down from the British consulate and the British police station, and replaced with the Cantonese flag.