NEW TERMS

Gisborne Times, Volume LXV, Issue 10319, 31 January 1927, Page 5

NEW TERMS

BRITAIN’S OFFER TO CHINA. RECOGNITION OF CHINESE LAW COURTS. NATIONALS TO PAY TAXATION. (United Press Assn. —Copyright.) (Received Jan. 30, 5.5 ,p.m.) LONDON, Jan. 2». Sir Austen Chamberlain, speaking at Birmingham, announced the new terms Britain had ottered the Northern China and the Cantonese Governments : (1) Britain was prepared to recognise the modern Chinese law courts, without the attendance of a British official, as competent to deal with cases in which British people are concerned. (21 Britain is ready to apply in British courts in China the existing Chinese civil and commercial codes and subordinate legislation, and she is also ready to go further than this when all the Chinese codes are complete. (3) Britain is prepared to make British nationals liable to regular Chinese taxation, not involving discrimination against British subjects and goods, ncluding taxation under a national tariff, when it is promulgated, thereby, as far as Britain is concerned, removing the last obstacle to full tariff autonomy ANTI-BRITISH WAR CI)Y CONDEMNED. LONDON, Jan. 30 Sir A. Chamberlain went on to sa’y that, fourthly, Britain was prepared to enter into local arrangements acceding to the particular circumstances of each port either for the amalgamation of administration with adjacent areas under Chinese control or some other method of handing over the administration to China, while assuring a British voice in municipal matters.

He added: —- ‘I said in 1925 we would meet Cihna half-way. This programme ; uns much farther, but it is a right, wise cause, not only in the present circumstances but for the next century. I'.tpcsals can be enforced by Britain by unilateral action, but a new tieaty is impossible at the moment owing to the civil war. Britain cannot recognise ifiio Cantonese Goverrmunt as a Government of one > art of China, because it would Siieieb/ ictogm&o a division of China which ev- y Chmes« of whatever party would <~t cut. It also cannot recognise the Cantonese as representing the while oi China, because its control was oui> of a third of the population and area. A ■further difficulty in dealing with the Nationalists is their deliberate and persistent utilfisation of an anti-Brit-ish war cry for the purpose of rallying adherents‘round a simple and easily comprehensible banner' “Down with the British,’ which is repeated Chinawide and in Chinese communities abroad. This was undoubtedly the cause of the disorder and dssrption and was being used to arouso the mob to anti-British fury. It remains to be- seen whether the Nationalists are able and willing to control tb» mobs.’’

Sir A. Chamberlain recalled that .he Canton and Shanghai riots in j 925 were used to create a boycott ot British goods. The anti-British propaganda declared that the mob violence at Hankow was designed to force the British to lire on unarmed Chino S e, causing an incident, arousing all China, and further feeding the flaines of the anti-British campaign. The seizure of the Hankow and Kiukiang concessions were outrageous and an unjustifiable attack on the long estab- '• is lied rights of the peaceful Bntisn ■ommunity and proved, presently, icrc was no guarantee of the safety J British lives under the Cantonese. ,‘o pointed out that while the evac-ua-cn of Hankow and Iviukiang was possible at short notice, speedy evaluation of Shanghai was impossible “[ do not sav the threat or bloodshed and massacre overshadows Shanghai,” he added. “I hope and believe it does not, but it would be i dereliction of duty to leave British Shanghai unprotected after the .-vents at Hankow. The Shanghai defence force is merely precautionary. Its composition shows that it is ae•filmed strictly to hold Shanghai. It we obtain satisfactory assistance the events at Hankow will not deflect a policy of patient conciliation, therefore ~ we welcome Chen s. desire for a settlement and refrain from con traversing his account of the pas history. , . ... Sir A. Chamberlain adued: Ihe talk of British Imperialism m China is nonsense. The British are a nation of shopkeepers m the bar East and want to keep their shops opei and on good terms with their customers, hoping for a united orderly and prosperous China.” He decar that “China for the Chinese is a reasonable cry. but to kill the Bi-t----ish and drive out. the British arotlje ravings of mad hatred. I hope, _ said “fresh incidents will not arise end ’ prevent a peaceful settlement pin cine Anelo-Clnnese relations on a permanent basis of mutual respect and good feeling. ’-A. and N.Z. Cable Assn.

WAR LORDS REBUKED OVERDID' MILITARY PREPARATIONS THREAT OF ANTI-WAR DEMONSTRATIONS LONDON, Jan. 30. The China, situation has been wonderfully cleared up by the frank speech of Sir A. Chamberlain at Birmingham last evening m u Inch lie disclosed the. terms of the British offer and explained the motives behind the military measures. The speech came too late for editorial comment m the Sunday papers, but the headlines and notes : by political am iteis indicate appreciation of bn a. Chambfiihain’s frankness winch is most timely in view of t.ie Laboiites’ preparations for demonstrations throindiont the whole country. As a matter of fact tine uneasiness is not confined to the Labontes The whole country has boon somewhat disturbed lately by what appeared to lie an outbreak of militarism. It is learned that there has been a good deal or criticism in Foreign Office circles concerning'the War Office’s publicity methods over its -military actions. Tho Laborites’ chief complaint when they saw Sir A. Chamberlain was that the despatch of warships and troops had l>een announced with sucli a wealth of photographic and other press publicity as to give the impression that the War Lords were seekiim to over-ride the Foreign Office and create a war fever. The public mind and Labor bad been informed of the British policy and had fully approved of the conciliatoriness of its offers towards China, but the announcements of the military steps were made in such a manner as', to provoke mars in Labor circles and these had lead to preparations for anti-war demonstrations throughout the country : bonce the Ministerial wrath with the War Office. Meantime the . host informed poop 1 © aye satisfied with the immediate outlook and consider the promptness with which Britain has shown that she is not bluffing l|ut is determined to be ready to defend British Jives and property, combined with the generous offer to negotiate, may be all that is necessary to yield a satis-' factory settlement by unhurried negotiations. The statement, is persistently cropping up in reliab’o diplo-

matic and other circles that one of tlie Cantonese demands will he absolute equality of their nationals tliroughout the world, including the right to enter Australia on the same footing as other foreigners. PARIS, Jan. 30,

Le Temps regards the British conciliatory proposals to Oheii as affording a hope that a grave conflict will ho definitely averted. SARCASTIC LLOYD GEORGE LONDON, Jan. 30. “Sir A. Chamberlain has shown courage and wisdom in tlie moderating of the Chinese policy, hub other members of Cabinet became excited, the moment they heard the word ‘war’ ” siaid Mr Lloyd George at Birmingham. He jadded that Col. Amery, who has been outlining the Government’s limits of concession/ “was a small Itut wadded explosive material. He blew up the Baldwin Government, but this explosive atom could not be permitted to blow up the country. Although the Government must protect British lives it should not let expeditions go to the interior. Britain should lead the way by giving China justice. China was an invaluable market for Britain. I do not want to see the Union Jack flying over empty warehouses”.— A. and N.Z.C.A.

ARTILLERY FOR CHINA (Received Jan. 29, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, Jan. 28. A mechanised battery of 18-poun-ders, also a battery of howitzers, has been ordered to China.—Times. GUARDSMEN SAIL. PATRIOTIC DEMONSTRATION REDS HANDLED ROUGHLY. LONDON, Jan. 29. With bands playing “Tipperary/’ “Long, Long Trail,” guardsmen adapting the old song singing “There’s a silver lining in Shanghaiee” and accompanied by enormous crowds, including wives and children marching alongside, the Coldstream Guards departed from Wellington barracks. An old woman standing at Westminster bridge handed out bundles of white heather. The battalion entrained at Waterloo, where the crowd rushed the. gates, pouring •m to the platform for the final farewell. Onlookers roughly handled Communists distributing pamphlets, and the police intervened. The Coldstream guards sailed from Southampton hy the Kinfaunsis Castle. The Middlesex battalion paraded at Catterick in a snowstorm, arrived at Condon and boarded the Herminius.

SHIDEHARA ON SITUATION. BRITAIN MUST PROTECT HER INTERESTS - TOKIO, Jan. 29. Mr. Shidehara, in a statement on the situation at Shanghai, says: “I think it is impossible for the British .to let matters go at Shanghai, where there are many British residents: My opinion is that it is only proper and natural for Britain to take adequate steps in ease o; emergency. I cannot say a Brst-ish-Oanton clash is coming and i am confident Britain does not dosire a clash, but is acting in tno event of emergency and nothing else, and, when the situaton lias been peacefully settled, I believe Britain will send all her forces back to their original stations. There are no indications at present that Japanese lives and property are endangered, the Canton officials and army promising to afford all necessary protection. Should danger arise, we shall resort to proper measures, but military preparations ore now unnecessary lest they cause needless alarm-”

TALK OF DEBT CANCELLATION

JAPANESE FINANCIERS ALARMED. TOKIO, Jan. 30. The Press is featuring the alleged substance of a second British memorandum informally communicate to Japan and suggesting the cancellation of Chinese debts, the abolition of cxtrality and the return or the concessions on a basis ot Chino-ioi-eign control. The debt suggestion is causing consternation in financial circles inasmuch as China is Japan heaviest debtor.—Sun.

A CORRESPONDENT S VIEW EXTRA-TERRITORTAL SETTLEMENTS PROPOSED RETROCESS.I ON “SOAIEAATIAT LATE IN THE DAY" (Received Jan. 29, 5.5 P-m. ) LONDON, Jan. 2b. A. correspondent, Air A. M. Pooler, writing on the Chinese situation, savs: Though the policy which the British Government has adopted is somewhat later in the day it is sympathetic. with the Chinese national aspirations. The reasons why it was not expressed earlier are stated to be. for fear of attempting to take sides in Chinese internal disputes. Though the explanation is not altogether satisfactory it must !>c accepted fm what it is worth. The immediate problem with which British interests m China are concerned is the extent to which the Government is prepared to go in practical expressions ot SJ Though there is no information officially in regard to the proposals put forward bv Air O’Malley, it is .understood that the Government is prepared to negotiate for the retrocession of all extra-territorial settlements in China, excepting the international settlement at Shairgliai. In connection with tho Ini tor it is prepared to consider eo-ooeration in administration by the Chinese. Guarantees "ill also At asked for more civilised methods of the administration of law. as m the case of Japan during the .nineties. There is no doubt tho Government is seized "d" fear that n, the event of an extension of the troulve Japan might step m and assert the dominating position to which she aspired in war time and from which she withdrew aftei the Washington Conference. It can hardly bo conceived that. England a and japan’s economic position at present. is not such as will permit indcr)ancient 'action, not that such action would involve a resumption ot tho commercial boycott- ,from which Japan suffered most .severely two voars ago „ . . , _ , The protests of British Labor against action in China need not be seriouslv considered. It is rather m the nature of blowing a kiss towards Moscow than the results of definite conviction. 'The importance ot the Chinese,market to England is wed recognised by Labontes. If Air MacDonald were in office, lie would have to adopt the same measures. British investments in China, exceed one thousand million, while shipping in the China trade is more than treble that in the Australian trade. It may be pointed out that the policy to settle now after the violence, at Hankow if taken to its logical conclusion, would result in the Chinese making other demands affecting questions not purely of international importance. If concessions held by solemn treaties are scrapped. m the fare of mob outbreaks, it is possible the Chinese would Fie encouraged to extend their demands to other spheres as, for examn’e. the rights of migration and residence in the Dominions. —A. and N.Z.C.A.