SITUATION IN CHINA

Evening Star, Issue 19456, 14 January 1927, Page 7

SITUATION IN CHINA

BRITISH CABINET MEETS PACIFIC POLICY APPROVED DESIRE TO AVOID BLOODSHED. ffress Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, January 13. Sir Hugh M. Trenclmrd, chief of the Air Force, was summoned to yesterday’s Cabinet meeting, at which Mr Austen Chamberlain made a most detailed statement regarding happenings In China. The meeting lasted for ninety minutes. A number of members were absent abroad. Most of the political correspondents affirm that no decision was reached, the Ministers awaiting a report from Sir Edward O’Malley regarding his conversations with General Chen. The ‘Daily Express,’ however, states that Cabinet gave approval to a pacific policy, the whole desire being that bloodshed shall be avoided. This is the first review of the situation since the Christmas holiday. Mr Baldwin felt that no further time should be lost in consulting with those Ministers available. It is understood that Sir Edward O’Malley is not empowered to discuss treaty policy. He is instructed to seek solely to avert conflict. In the same issue the ‘ Express’s ’ Shanghai correspondent reports that serious anti-British rioting has broken out. A mob of 3,000 Chinese workmen attempted to smash the machinery of two cotton mills, but were repulsed by foreign fire brigade men with hoses. THE TENSION LESSENED. DIFFICULTIES OF EVACUATION. PEKING, January 12. Sir Edward O’Malley had a twohours’ conference with General Chen at the Foreign Office at Hankow. No statement has been issued, but the tension has undoubtedly lessened, and the British are now able to move freely around the concession. News from up the river indicates that the evacuation of foreigners from the interior is proving difficult owing to the general boycott, the result of which is that no boats or other conveyances or coolies are available, and many are compelled to walk. Foreigners arriving from Kiukiang state that Cantonese are stationed as sentries in the concession. A dozen foreign men remaining are distributed between the warships Scarab and TVyvern. They were able to reach safety only with much difficulty owing to obstruction from the mobs. The British Consul managed to remove the archives before sealing the Consulate, which so far has not been molested. He is now living aboard a steam launch, from which the Consular flag still flies, the French Commissioner of Customs also functioning aboard the launch. Some thirteen foreigners, including women and children, are still at Ruling, where they elected to remain, although advised to leave. SHANGHAI’S IMPORTANCE.

THE KEY POSITION. LONDON, January 13. ‘The Times’ points out that Shanghai is the key position both from the Chinese and from the international point of view, and victory there for the Kuomintang Government might prove decisive in the more difficult task of achieving dominance over Northern China. Moreover, the Customs revenue is greater in Shanghai than elsewhere, and this is naturally the object of keen interest to the political forces contending for supremacy. It is welcome news, therefore, that Cabinet is alert. There may yet be time to decide carefully tactics and policy. Already there are indications of the revolutionary propaganda which always precedes a Kuomintang offensive being attempted in Shanghai.—‘ The Times.’ FRANCE READY TO ACT. PARIS, January 12. Cabinet has decided to maintain a vatchful policy in China, hut at the jame time it will be ready to meet any aggression. It is learned that active naval and military preparations are in progress in case eventualities should arise. STRIKE AND BOYCOTT. PEKING, January 13. A wireless message from Changsha states that a general strike and boycott have begun. Arrangements have been made at Ichang to evacuate 400 British and 200 Americans from Sze-chuan.

TIENTSIN CONCESSIONS PEKING GOVERNMENT'S DESIRE. FOLLOWING HANKOW’S LEAD. SHANGHAI, January 13. (Received January 14, at 9.25 a.m) The reports regarding the desire of the Peking Government to take over the concessions at Tientsin proved nearer the truth than was at first imagined. Representatives of the Peking Government called at certain Legations and suggested that the for* eign concessions at Tientsin should be handed over to tho Chinese. This attitude is not considered surprising, as the case at Hankow was considered a precedent which it is apparently certain that the Chinese intend to follow elsewhere. Students ransacked a Japanese shop at Foochow, and confiscated "and burnt B considerable quantity of goods. Customs transit passes for foreign goods have been refused recognition.