5 FEBRUARY 1927, Page 1

The Times of Wednesday published from its Hankow correspondent, who

was a witness of the seizure of the British- Concession, a curiously interesting account of what actually happened. He disposes of the belief that the overrunning of the Concession was the result of a sudden and unexpected mass excitement. This is a very important fact. He says that the British residents had heard rumours, and had read in the Chinese newspapers, as long as a week before the taking of the Concession, that shortly after Monday, January 3rd, the Nationalists would seize the Concession. Scarcely anybody believed that such an attempt would be made. Even the warnings of influential Chinese who were friendly to the British failed to break down the general incredulity. The " better-class local Chinese " lamented that an "unrighteous plan," as they called it, was being forced on their countrymen by the Bolshevists. The number of Bolshevist organizers at the Nationalist headquarters is said to have been about 200. For several days before January 3rd farm labourers and coolies were given free passes to come to Hankow by train.