Attitude to China

Evening Star, Issue 19786, 9 February 1928, Page 9

Attitude to China

Britain’s Essential Goodwill

Chaos and Civil War Still Obtain

Nearer a Happy Issue

(British Official News,) Press Association —By Wireless—Copyright.

RUGBY, February 8. (Received February 9, at 12.40 p.m.) Sir Austen Chamberlain made a long statement to-day in the House of Commons dealing with the points raised regarding foreign policy. Ho said that he joined with the Prime Minister in grateful recognition of the unanimity of the House in respect to the declaration made in the King’s Speech regarding the British policy towards China. “ That policy was the result of mature consideration, as was stated at the time,” he said. “The moment of its application must bo dependent on circumstances which were and are beyond our control; but to that policy wc remained faithful, and, as was made clear yesterday, it was no party question, but an expression ot goodwill and friendship from . the ipeople of this country towards the people of China and their legitimate aspirations. LEGITIMATE TRADE RIGHTS.

important question, and when they did agree among themselves, and he was happy to say that there were .o*ne signs lately of such an agreement, then fhe British Government would Kelp 'hem. Similarly with extra territoriality they had made some progress in face of all difficulties. The British Government had already recognised the modern Chinese law court in cases where a British subject was plaintiff or complainant, and they were ready to apply in British courts a modern Chinese civil and commercial code.

THE CONCESSIONS QUESTION. “ The third branch of our programme was to surrender by negotiations our special rights in British concessions," said Sir Austen. He wished that he could give a more satisfactory account of the state of things which had prevailed since that surrender, and he could not say that it was wholly encouiaging. The circumstances of chaos and civil war were an immense obstacle to a proper and efficient discharge by Chinese of obligations that became incumbent upon them from the movement that Britain surrendered any of those privileges. Referring to the reduction of the British defence force in China, Sir Austen said that the land forces had been already reduced from 12,500 to 4,500, and that orders had been given for the withdrawal of another battalion. “ I shall be as glad,” he declared, “ as members in any other part of the House when conditions of order and security in China make the total withdrawal of that force possible. That time has not come yet, and I venture to say no responsible Government could leave our concessions there without something more than normal protection under the conditions which still prevail. “ 1 must mention with regret the failure of any of the Chinese authorities in that pant of the country to give satisfaction up to date for the outrages perpetrated at Nanking. It is impossible for our Consul-General to reoccupy the consulate, which, even at this moment, is occupied wrongfully and unlawfully by Chinese troops. No sort of satisfaction has hitherto been offered for the outrage to life, property, and national dignity inflicted on us as upon other nations. The situation is undoubtedly betten than it was a year ago. In particular tho anti-foreign character of the agitations carried on and the still more anti-British character of the agitations lias changed, and I think that there is beginning to be among the Chinese people a better appreciation of the real goodwill of the British Government and tho British people, and that they are beginning to consider all the liberality and friendship implied and involved not only in the declaration which wo published a year ago, hut in our actions since that time.

“ Wo had indeed no other interests in China than that our traders should be allowed to pursue their legitimate vocations as traders in peace and security, and we were prepared to meet the Chinese aspirations for a revision of the treaty in tho most liberal spirit, provided only that security were given lor the lawful occupations of our people.”

Referring to the impatience shown by Mr Ramsay MacDonald that more progress had not been made, Sir Austen Chamberlain said that China was still broken with civil war. It was without any Government that could speak in the name of the whole of the Chinese people. Indeed, Governments came and went as leaders came and went, and there could be no more difficult problem than to carry out the wishes of the British Government on the policy that they had announced while- the Chinese themselves were unable to provide a stable and settled Government for China. Still, they had uiacjc some progress. SURTAX CONCESSION.

In view of the long delay which had occurred in carrying out the compromise on the Washington Convention, the British Government hud accepted the position that it would not be justified in withholding its consent ;o the collection of tho per cent, surtax which it had provisionally agreed to. Tho surtax was being paid by British subjects -throughout China, but the British Government objected, and must continue to object, to illegal levies aver and above that surtax, which were (ontinually cropping up in different parts of China in this/ or that passing iocal authority. The British Government would not object to a uniform national tariff which did dot discriminate against British merchants, and which 'as administered fairly. It was for the Chinese themselves to agree on tins