Meanwhile the conservative exe were becoming more and more anxious as to their own fate should the communists not be checked, The compradore of one of the lea ig firms stated on the 20th that was feared that, the mob would take control of the city at any moment, when there would be an orgy of looting and rapine. Asked why the authorities did not take preventive action he said that several-"of the leading generals wished to do so, but that they could not act without orders from Tupan Lia Hsiang. It was pointed out that everyone but the lowest type! of rascal stood to lure should the: mob break loose, and the reply was. "Of course, we' fully realize that; but nothing an be done to avoid it unless'Liu Hafang gives the order, and hevseéms te be 46 surrounded by 'Reds' that he ie unable to act we with¥"A "friendly "General informed the British and American Consuls that during the. monster parade which was scheduled for the Bist "to establish Communism" their Consulates were to be looted and burned, and they were advised to berake' themselves at once aboard their gunboats. The anti-Communist forees took anxious counsel together to devise ways and meang of averting the impending outbreak of mob violence, and great pressure was put on Tupan Liu Hsiang to counteract the activities of the "Reds," it being well known that Lia had no sympathy with the principles or practices of Bolshevism, But evidently the moment for an open rupture with the Conte munists had not yet arrived, The Tupan Turns At Last Such was the situation on the morning of March 80, by which time all was ready for' the departure of the foreigners vat any moment, and only the orders of the Ministers and the Admirals were di. AL noon that day word through the Chamber Commerce that very late in the previous night Tupan Liu had made mind to oppose the Com and that he proposed. to shoot down any demonstrator who might Yerort to violence. It was Said that the gates of the city were to be locked during the procession "to inaugurate Communism," 10 facilitate the execution of the plans which had been adopted by the Tupan, The latter's decision was probably Influenced, in part at least, by the appearance on the streets of Chun of, banners. and. placards "Down with Lia Hsiang, the yunning dog of Chiang Kai-shek.
In the afternoon the Ministerial structions for the British arrived, find they were ordered to board thole respective vessels. that night, in readiness for departure at. day: break, There was a hurried seleetion from among the many valuable articles that had perforce to. be inkandoned, and_in the darkness of the night March 30 the final steps the third evacuation. of Chung~ in 18 months, and this time complete one so-tar as the Britith were concerned, were taken.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.