[English] BOY SCOUT CAMP INVADED. INTERFERENCE BY CHINESE TROOPS.

BOY SCOUT CAMP INVADED.

INTERFERENCE BY CHINESE TROOPS.

INCIDENT NEAR SHANGHAI.

Six troops of Shanghai Boy Scouts had the unusual experience last Wednesday night of being driven from their camp ground near the Hungjao Aerodrome by about 100 Chinese soldiers and were forced to take refuge in the compound at the home of Mr. W. J. Hawkings near by. The affair happened at about 9 o'clock and completely upset the camp for a time, but after being calmed down by the Scout Masters they spent the rest of the night in peace.

The troop consisted of three patrols of foreign Scouts and three of Chinese. Most of the latter were Cantonese and it is believed probable that it was for this reason that the Chinese soldiers broke up the camp.

The Scouts went to the ground on Wednesday afternoon and pitched camp with the intention of remaining until next afternoon. This is a part of the competition at Millington Camp during the annual Scout Jamboree and is the first competition to ever take place between the Chinese and foreign Scouts.

The competition was coming along successfully until about 8.30 when the officer in charge of the soldiers at the aerodrome came to the camp with his men and demanded that the boys leave immediately, saying that there was a war on and martial law was in effect.

Although those in charge of the boys remonstrated with the soldiers and told them that they were camping on ground belonging to Mr. Hawkings, the officer in charge would not listen. He demanded at first that they leave the vicinity, but finally said that it would be all right if the camp were removed to the compound around Mr. Hawkings's home.

Quite a commotion was caused as the boys prepared at about 9 o'clock to move the camp. Several of them became somewhat frightened, but were soon quieted by Mr. Jacobs, the District Scout Master, who was spending the night with them.

Source:

1. Page 4, "Hongkong Telegraph", Tuesday, 16th November, 15th Year of the Republic of China

   • 12th Day, 10th Lunar Month, Bing-yin Year

   • Tuesday, 16th November, 1926 Common Era