In connexion with the alleged shipment of arms and ammunition on board a Japanese steamer for the Kuangsi_ party in their fight against Kuangtung by the Peking Government, Shanghai Cantonese were greatly stirred on Monday by the report that Peking had ordered General Ho Feng-ling, Military Governor of Shanghai and Sungkiang, to release. the shipment from custody.
It may be remembered that the Peking Government, at the request of General Lu Yung-ting of Kuangsi, shipped from Pukow on board a Japanese steamer a large quantity of arms and ammunition to help the Kuangsi-ites. When the Cantonese in Shanghai heard of this they telegraphed to Peking and sent delegates to interview the Military Governor of Shanghai with a view to having the shipment stopped. Dr. F. C. Tong and Mr. Chun Bing-him, representing the new and old parties respectively, were appointed delegates. response to their request, Genera! Ho gave orders that the shipment be unloaded and placed im the Customs godowns, where it still remains. Peking also gave an assurance that the shipment was not intended for any attack on Kuangtung.
Upon receipt of the statement that Peking had given orders to General Ho for the immediate release of the shipment, telegrams were sent to Peking asking for an explanation, and to Cantonese residents in Peking asking them to give support in the matter and to use their influence with the Government.
The Cantonese Merchants' Association also wrote to the General
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.