Altempt of Chapei Authorities to Prevent Repair to Thoroughfare and the Erection of Iron Gates: Armed Forces Face Each Other More than 100 armed ropresentatives of the Municipal police and of Chapet faced each other on August 9 for a few tense moments, all armed with rifles, pistols and machine guns, Dut owing to the cooler counsels of their superiors, nothing untoward happened, and Doth parties withdrew after a consultation between Capt. R. M. J. Martin, Acting Commissioner " of Police and the head of the Chapel Befence Corps. The ove the repair of Woosung Roa¢ diately beyond Kashing Road, and the proposed erection of iron gates: othe Settlement boundary, the one mont! event Muni-pal rond, which they although they brought forward no proof to substantiate their asser-tio The Reserve Unit from Yangtsze-yeo were called to the spot early to protect, if necessary, the P.W.D. workmen while they were at work, in view of the statement by the Chinese police inspector in charge of that subdivision, who informed Settlement police that he had been instructed by his superiors to preent by armed force the repairs to the road and the erection of the gates, the Work Completed The members of the Unit, under Supt. Fairbairn, remained on duty until 6.80 at which time the coolies wore loved, they havin remetalling of the laying of concrete foundations for the erection of the gates, Mr, T, Kerrigan, officer of the day, was pre well, in addition which other police affeers attend-various time When the Chinese soldiers probably half 'a company strong, drested in white uniforms, drew up, the coolies as one man made a dash for cover in Luildings, and alleyways in the: vicinity, but the gallant driver of the. steam roller paid no attention to the Chinese soldiers, armed with. Mausers and machine guns and wearing steel waistcoats. As they arrived on the scene, his machine happened to be in progress toward Chinese territory. He did not retard his speed but drove the heavy roller directly at the soldiers, but discontinued his journey at' the Boundary Vine of the Settlement.
soldiers id on the other although their superiors for more than a month had area in question On coming to a stop, he put the machine in reverse, them again routine demanded.
The foreign supervisors on the construction did not beat a retreat when the soldiers drew near, but stood round as if nothing" had happened. They were in a direct me of fire, should the Chinese have opened an engagement. After a few minutes, the coolies noting. the calm indifference of their it is reported, and negotiations were pened as to the status of the road, there being no question as to Municipal rights to the road at the point where it was proposed to erect the, gale.
Police officials consulted with each other, one meeting being held on the spot of the disputed ground. Letters were exchanged bee tween" the Municipal Council andthe Chapei authorities, and the Senior Consul was addressed. by both factions. Municipal maps were produced and shown the Chinese officials pointing out the Settlement boundaries on old maps. The Chinese, however, still claimed purisdietion over about 110 ft, of Municipal road. Ample time wis given them to. bring forward evidence in support of their contention.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.