The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1927-02-25
5000 BRITISH
TROOPS GUARD
FOREIGN AREA
Regulars Take Up Positions
Along Borders of Inter.
national Settlement
u. s. FORCES INCREASED
1900 Marines Reach Shang.
hal Thursday and 3 De-
stroyers Arrive Today

Shanghai. Feb. 25. - (P> - Three
thousand British regulars took up de-
fense positions along the borders Of
the international settlement here to-
night because Of the situation Great
cd by the arrival Of Chinese troops
in increasing numbers in the city.
With the regulars in position, vol.
untecr defenders Of the foreign set
Elements remained on the alert to
aid in preventing native incursions
as opposing Chinese governments,
struggling for possession OF the
city, continued to concentrate their
armies south Of here. y
A volunteer machine gun company
also was mobilized this morning and
held in readiness, while British
troops paraded two siX-inch motor
lied howitzers along the bund. The
precautions were taken mostly to
ruard against invasion by defeated
troops Of Marshal Sun Chuan-Fang.
Marines Arrive
The American defense force, hav-
ing been augmented with 1900 ma
rines from San Diego, California,
Yesterday, was strengthened further
today with arrival of three destroy
ers, the Preble, NOa and Hubert.
from Manila.
More Of the northern Chinese
troops under General Chang Tsung-
Chang, military governor Of Shan
tunr, arrived this morning, and 1t
was estimated that 5000 will have
reached the city by tonight.
Officers of the Shantung forces
said that the northern Chinese battle
squadron of l6 ships already had
left Tsingtao, Shantung territory
and was due very shortly at Woosung
anchorage, off Shanghai. The YES
sells. one of which is manned by Rus
SLAMS. also are bringing consider
able Shantung land forces.
Northern Army Weakened
1t was reported that a clash oc
Cured yesterday north of kashinl
betwcen the nationalists and sol
diers of the defeated Marshal Sur
Chuan-Fang. The engagement was
not decisive, the northern army hav
ing been weakened by dcsertions ant
' lowered morale.
The northern forces have retired
10 Sungkiang, only 28 miles from
Shanghai. 1t is estimated that thci
strength there is not more than 5000
men and that quick reinforcement
from the Shantungese would b
needed if the city is to be hel'
against the advancing southerners.
The Shanghai labor situation i
virtually normal. Not more thar
$4,000 men are still striking. Tn
remainder have returned to worl
under the general labor unions orde
calling off the general strike yes
tcrday.
Marines Not Landed
No American marines were lande
for the present, since defense plan
do not call for the use of these ]
the border service. They are to b
held for maintenance of order insid
ythe settlements. The British troop
occupied 2O-mile line, part of
running into Chinese territory. SUI
rounding che international settle
ment. The lire was considered ir
dispensable to the defense of tn
: ."ithin the line formed by tn
ops but outside the settlemer
reside 5000 foreigners. Also With
this area is foreign owned pronert
worth $16,OO0,0O0.
Ue1enSeS aIOHk OOtu Tile lutSIus
tional and French settlements wei
strengthened anew with barbed VIII
entanglements and sand bags, viii
machine guns were mounted I
strategic positions.
French Erect Barbados
The French erected wire entangl
ments along the entire boundary I
their settlement which borders q
the native section of the city. Loc
American authorities. do not belle,
the present situation justifies lam
ing of their marines to defend Ame
ican lives and property. They Al
said to be limited by the policy
the. Washington government to tn
operation only.
The Associated Press was assur,
that whenever the situation calls f
American marines, they will
landed Immediately.
The first American landing for
now available is composed Of abo
1000 marines. This force can be j
creased to 2,4O0 men by use of blu
jackets.