RUSSIA IN CHINA.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18425, 4 July 1925, Page 13

RUSSIA IN CHINA.

BRITAIN WATCHING DEVELOPMENTS. PLAIN STATEMENT BY MR CHAMBERLAIN. MOSCOW DENIES INTERFERENCE. (BT CABLE—PRESS ASSOCIATION— COPYRIGHT.) (StUTXB'S TZLEGBAMS.) (Received July 3rd, 8.33 p.m.) LONDON, July 2. Lord Birkenhead; speaking at Loughborough on June 27th, said that the time undoubtedly had come whoa we shall have to ask ourselves whether we arc helpless in the face of a eountry diplomatically represented in our midst, but Tcstlcss subterranean activity throughout the world, seeking the destruction of the British Empire. This evoked an outburst, from M. Chicherin. Interviewed in Moscow, ho said that Lord Birkenhead was apparently aiming at breaking off diplomatic relations with Kussia. "The next step can only be war," he added. "The pretext for severing relations is the outbreak in China, which is really due to the revolt of the Chinese against the political economic oppression of the Great Powers. The creation of a new, centralised democracy in China, freed from foreign domination, is the best solution of the Chinese problem. Kussia, while sympathising with China in her struggle, has carefully avoided anything that could be interpreted as interference."

There was no question of liussia assuming tho rule of a protector of China. He repudiated tho suggestion that the Soviet Government was aiming at the destruction of the British Empire. On the contrary, the Soviet was willing to come to agreement with any State in-order lo promote world peace. Mr Austen Chamberlain, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, questioned in the House of Commons in regard to Lord Birkenhead's referenco to Bolshevist intrigues, said tliat the speech was mado with a full sense of tho obligations of Cabinet responsibility. The Government was watching the situation and would from time to time take the stops nceessary to protect British interests.

Further pressed, he referred to his answer to Captain J. G. Fairfax, and said that ho thon deliberately refrained from mentioning a particular nation, but if the questioner insisted, he would say he meant the Soviet influence in China.

[ln the House of Commons on June 24th, Mr Chamberlain said' that the Foreign Office had- evidence that tho 'disturbances in China were fomented by tho agents of! another Government. Close attention was being given to the situation thus created.] SITUATION IN SHANGHAI. VOLUNTEERS BEING REDUCED. (AUSTRALIA* AND KJS. CABL* ASSOCIATION.) PEKING, July 12. The strike at Shanghai is unchanged, but the situation is quiotoning and volunteers are being reduced. ! The hoad Chinese foreman at the I Shanghai waterworks was shot dead in tho street at Ningpo, where there wcro demonstrations but no riots. Martial law has been declared at Chingking, and Japanese resident have loft tho native city for the Japanoso concession. H.M.A.S. BRISBANE AT HONG-KONG. (AUSTKAUAN. AND K.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION.) (Received July 3rd, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, July 3. The Australian cruiser Brisbane arrived at Hong-Kong .on June 30th. , SOVIET PROPAGANDA.

LARGE SUMS SPENT IN CHINA. (AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CAfitE ASSOCIATION.) (Received July 3rd, 8.5 p.m.) LONDON, July 2. The "Daily Telegraph's" diplomatic correspondent learns from, a reliablo source that large deposits have recently been placed for eastern banks at the disposal of M. Karakhan, tho Soviet ambassador to China and his consuls, in tho provinces and lesser officials, for the purpose of fomenting anti-foreign risings. Ono deposit amounted to £1,500,000. BLUEJACKETS LAND. MOB ATTACK BRITISH SHIPS. (AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION.) (Received. July 3rd, 8.35 p.m.) PEKING, July 3. A message from Swatow says that armed parties twice landed from tho cruiser Bluebell. At first they drove off the agitators seeking to board the British ships in tho harbour and later dispersed a mob attacking the foreign hotels. There were no casualties.