TO CHECK RUSSIA

Gisborne Times, Volume LXV, Issue 10316, 27 January 1927, Page 5

TO CHECK RUSSIA

WHY BRITISH TROOPS ARE SENT TO .EAST. CHINA A PAWN OF THE BOLSHEVIKS. NATIONAL MOVEMENT FIRST STEP IN WORLD REVOLUTION. SHANGHAI, Jan. 25. ‘‘The concentration of such largo British naval and military forces in China is not the outcome of the recents events at Hankow or the possibility of a repetition of those at Shanghai,” a responsible authority declared to-day. “The troops Britain is sending to the Far East are considerably more than Britain or any other Power requires to suppress the anti-l'oreign agitation, even if that nation is unsupported by others. One must therefore look elsewhere for the reason for sending an army to China sufficient to wipe out the Cantonese Nationalist army in a fortnight. The reason is Russia. “British officials are silent on the matter of policy, but Soviet troop movements in Eastern Siberia and on the Manchurian frontier and Britain’s despatch of several infantry brigades, tank corps, and a War Office administrative staff are not merely coincidental.

“The Chinese Nationalist movement is merely Russian eyewash, and the first step towards world revolution. “Chiangkaishek, the Cantonese military commander, in his Hankow speech recently, hinted at Soviet plans, saying that revolutionary movements were afoot in other parts of the world, undreamed of by Britain.

“Britain does not wish to interrupt the Chinese legitimate Nationalist movement now under way, if it is conlined to China’s boundaries, but China is a pawn in the hands of Russia, and an ideal revolutionary weapon. “The peace of,the Pacific is threatened. Korea, Japan, the Philippines and India would immediately follow the footsteps of China in the event of the latter succeeding in overthrowing Western influence. “There have been ominous rumblings in the Indian community at EhuikoV* and ,Shanghai since the Hankow events. Indians at Hankow attended anti-British meetings and delivered anti-Brjtish speeches, anil promised to agitate a sympathetic movement in India.

“Shanghai Indians form a eonsidportion ok the municipal police. The anti-British Indian Society here is striving to cause a strike. “ ‘White’ Russians here are flocking to the recruiting office for civilian volunteers, eager lor an opportunity to strike a blow at the ‘Reds.’

Hankow foreign banks have opened business to test the Cantonese authority. The situation is quiet.”—A. and N..C.A.

FURIOUSLY ANGRY. BOLSHEVIK DISILLUSIONMENT. MOSCOW’S HOPES SHATTERED. (Received Jan. 26, 8.0 pan.) LONDON. Jan. 26. “According to reliable reports the Soviet Government is furiously angry over the despatch of large British, naval and military reinforcements to China,” says the* Daily Telegraph’s diplomatic correspondent, “for Moscow has repeatedly assured the Cantonese that popular opinion in England and its Communist and Socialistic friends will not permit the Government to send a single unit. Hence the Cantonese were told that they could bluff tlie British out of every settlement and concession with impunity. The Bolshevik disillusionment is apparently bitter. Moscow hoped to secure the ejection from China first of Britain, then ot America. This would have left Soviet Russia in China, confronting only Japan and smaller European Powers, with whom it was thought a deal might have been made.” The correspondent emphasises that Britain was no party to the Chinese civil wars. “The "Chinese city and province of Shanghai have changed hands several times in recent years. Our only concern was to prevent the Cantonese from . over-running the international settlement and abolishing i..p foreign municipal council.’’ The Dailv Express says editorially: “The mar. in the street is not satisfied tlifft the extensive military measures are merely precautionary. Japan lias decided not to send troops and the Foreign Affairs Committee of the United" States Congress has decided to make a new agreement independently of other Powers. Britain is willing to protect her own intcvests and the lives and property ot its nationals, but there is no reason to do more. Britain does not mind holding its own baby, hut does not want foundlings on its doorstep. ’ A. and N.Z.C.A.

A CONCENTRATED EFFORT REDS HOPE TO DEAL BRITAIN HEAVY BLOW (Received Jan.. 26. 7.3-0 p.m.) LONDON. Jan. 25. The Daily Mail states that it has been discovered.: that the Chinese Information Bureau is not connected with the Chinese. Legation in Belgrave Road, which disseminates Cantonese propaganda. It is in charge of Francis Orlando Bridgeman, who is, admittedly, in constant touch with the Cantonese Government. The Daily Mail, commenting, says: “Moscow is suspending her revolutionary activities everywhere and concentrating on China, where it hopes to deal a heavy blow at Britain. All the leading agitators, plentifully supplied with funds, are arriving for the purpose of using every possible means to prevent an Anglo-Cantonese agreement. There is a significant lull in Bolshevik activities particularly noticeable in India, Afghanistan, Persia and even in the French colonies.— A. and N.Z.C.A.

AN UNOFFICIAL MESSAGE. IS CANADA DISPOSED TO HELP ? ißeceived Jan. 26, 10.5 p.m.) VANCOUVER, Jan. 26. An Ottawa message in the Toronto Globe says: “The departure of British troops for Shanghai was followed on Tuesday by an unofficial message from the Motherland inquiring about the opinion of Canada concerning the trouble in China. It suggested that the Dominion might he invited to send a small expeditionary force in view of the large number of Canauian missionaries in the Orient and of important Canadian commercial interests which might be threatened by the atcion of the Chinese Nationalists. While no official pronouncement is forthcoming it is stated, on good authority, that Canada lias not vet been asked to participate m the British military plans. ’—A. and N.Z.C.A. .'■■■■<

CHEN AND BRITISH POLICY COMPLETE MISREPRESENTATION LONDON Jan. 25. Sir Cunliffe Lister, in a speech referring to the Cantonese manifesto, declared: “Chen completely misrepresents the British policy; it contains nothing of aggression or Imperialism, but expresses a genuine will for peace. Nevertheless we cannot submit to violence.—'A. and N.Z.C.A.

(Continued at foot of next column.)

. FRENCH CABINET DISCUSS . I'USITIOX. IN ENTIRE AGREEMENT W ITH BRITAIN. PARIS, Jan. 25. Cabinet discussed tlie situation in China. M. Briand reported that he sent new instructions to the French representatives in reference to collaboration with the other Powers and the deiernce of the trench concessions if attacked. “Shanghai,” declares Le Journal, “which does fully half the Uiina trade, must be held at any cost. Wo are in entire agreement-with Britain on this point. The Powers must solidly show their intention to be respected.”—A.N .Z.A.C.

BRIGADE FROM INDIA. MOTION OF PROTEST DISALLOWED BY VICEROY. DELHI, J:'«n. 25. The Viceroy disallowed a motion moved in the Legislative Assembly to protest against tlie action of tiie Government of India in sending a brigade to China, on the ground that the discussion is against the publicinterest. Tlie Indian press, on the whole, with the exception of forward Swarajist journals in Calcutta, received the intimation that troops were being sent with comparative restraint.—A. and N.Z.C.A.

AMERICA NOT MUCH CONCERNED. DOES NOT POSSESS CON-

CESSIONS

SEPARATE NEGOTIATIONS WITH CHINA DESIRED.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 25

Preparations for the defence of British interests in China apparently will not be followed at present by extensive concentration of United States’ forces in the Orient. President Coolidge sees a wide difference between the British and American problems, since the United States does not possess concessions.— A.N.Z.C.A. American politicians show every sign of wishing to get- into a position to negotiate separately from the other Powers with China. The uisposition everywhere is to believe that the Chinese trouble is caused by unequal treaties imposed hv European Powers upon China. Mr Porter, chairman of tlie foreign committee in the House of Representatives, drafted a resolution seeking quick action to secure new all-American treaties with China. , „