Crackers Fired Throughout City: Streets Packed Demonstration of J joy But No Trouble 'A. demonstration of joy such as Shanghai had not seen in years greeted the news of Gen, Chiang. Kale she's, release in the three local municipalities on Christmas night and continued, in more restrained ma ner, next day, There was no ineideni, but the Police, without intertering with the merry-making, kept a close watch and, in one instance, prevented an invasion of Hongkew from the Central district enthusiastic crowd. In the early hours of December 20 the Japanese Naval Landing Party hold street, manceuvres in Hongkew, but th turn-out had no bearing on the exluberanee of the Chinese population.
In characteristic manner, the burning of millions of fire-crackers gave outward. expression to the joy felt Shanghai's millions over the liberation of China's national leader, A fusillade of flreworks—from the ritest crackers to big cannon erackers—started shortly after 5 o'clock on Christmas night, almost simultaneous Jy, in all parts of the International Seltiement, French Concession and the Chinese municipality. 'The dal news of Gen. Chiang's release was flashed, announced and broadcast in cinemas, theatres and cabarets, ud over the air, throwing listeners into an ecstasy of joy. Demonstra-lions of Toyally such as have seklom been' seen in Shanghai greeted the glad tidings throughout the communly. Chinese newspapers. were quick issue special editions telling the story.
Nanking Road trame 'The downtown area, especially the Louza district, was one of the focal points of the demonstration, As thousands of' people poured into the streets, police patrols were augment and the traMe police found It dimeult. to keep pedestrians and wehlcles moving up and down Naning Rond, There were ser lots gramme blocks on that, street. 'The wrawd which gathered in the vicinity of Nanking' and Chekiang Roads was estimated at 6,000 and the din of firecrackers was deafening. At about 7.30 the congestion had' become leavy and the crowd so unrestrained that "the Police Reserve Unit (riot Personnel) was shifted to Louza Sta-dozen youths In each, the cars proclaimed the release of Gen. Chiang by means of while banners. covered with large red characters. The same vehicles "also carried National fags which were waved enthusiastically as the cars passed. through the crowds. Yesterday many hire-cars flew National flags above their radi ors, and the various buildings on Generalissimo's Thanks A special telegram to the "North-China Daily News" has been received through the Shang-hal Information Department the National Military Couneit from General and" Madame Chiang Kai-shek. "The telegram states: 5 "Generalissimo and Madame Chiang Kat-shek, finding possible personally to acknowledge the innumerable letters and {clegrams of sympathy and hope sent during the recent detention fof the Generalissimo at Sian, {trust that all friends and well-wishers will accept The Bund and elsewhere downtown were gay with the standards of various nations, Added to the trae confusion in the Louza district was the indiserimate throwing of fre-crackers from the tops of buildings. In the vicinity of the Wing On Company a Japanese ress photographer " attempted take flashlight pictures of the crowd shortly before 11 pin. He was quickly surrounded by a mob shout-Ing anti-Japanese slogans and had to retreat to the Great Eastern Hotel, Kin Wo Ka, for safety. He was not seriously molested.
'A number of local radio stations broadcast the news of Gen. Chiang's Mberation at short intervals, begin= ing at 630 pam, Loca! Chinese public bodies and many' individuals" despatched tele grams to. Loyang and. Nanking felicitating the Generalissimo on his safe departure from" Sian. The Shanghai Tangpu has called a special
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