MILITARY POLICY.

Grey River Argus, 16 February 1927, Page 5

MILITARY POLICY.

PREVENTS AGREEMENT. With Cantonese. HANKOW NEGOTIATIONS. \ LONDON, Febrnjiry 14. ~ H is learned that Mr. O’Malley was S f in communication with I. on don during the week-end, and as a result official circles are optimistic about an early completion of a, satisfactory agreement, though in view of Mr. Chenhs previous record in breaking off nOgotia lions at the last minute, nobody is willing to forecast any actual date for thi .signing. HANKOW, February I). The agreement between Mr. Chen and Mr. O’Malley is not signed. It is believrtl that negotiations have been completely broken off. (Received February 15 at s.lO p.m.) LONDON, February 15. There is of a breakdown in the Hankow negotiations. This news has created astonishment, in official circles here, says the “Daily Express.” On the contrary, the Labour paper, the “Daily Herald’s” diplomatic correspondent inykes grave statements on the subject. He declares: “The official hope, all round, would seem to be more than balanced by the fear that womething might happen at the last moment to prevent the signature of an agreement. “It was impossible,” says the “Daily Harald’s” eorrespomh'iit, “to avoid the conclusion that this anxiety has not been unconnected with the | new military movements, which appear i io have been ordered at such a criti- ■ cal and delicate moment without any consultation with the British Foreign Office. These movements cannot have been exactly helpful to Mr O’Malley.” China’s Determination. NEVER TO YIELD TO ARMS. (Received February 15 at 9 p.m.) LONDON, February 14. The “Daily News’s” Geneva correspondent says: “Mr Chaosin Chu, the Chinese representative on the League, has issued a statement to the effect that if Britain tlcnouiiccs the old treaties, and enters into a new treaty, on the basis of China’s absolute equality and of reciprocity, there will be no need to send any troops, and there will be no fear of a continuance of the boycott; but, he says, China's four hundred millions will never yield to \irnis. ’ ’ Foreign Forces Land. ■' * WITH FIXED BAYONETS. 1 AMID PEACEFUL SHANGHAI POPULACE. PEKIN, February 14. The first lauding ot white troops at Shanghai since the Boxer troubles, today was made the occasion tor a great, though quiet, public demonstration bl the foreign population, when the He eoud Gloucesters and the Second Durhams landed, after being two days aboard the transport, at the dockside, hiaded bv the colours and their own bands, with a marine band from His Majesty’s vessels in port. Fifteen hundred men of the battalions in full kit tool with fixed bayonets, marched five miles from the docks to their quarters throughout the principal streets. Immense crowds or entnese lined tneroutoi but there was no sign of hostility. No news has been officially received ' of any untoward incident at Shanghai following the landing of the advance guard troops. It is emphasised that though the sig nature of a Hankow agieement would .rente an easier and more promising outlook concerning Shanghai, but eouhl not in itself justify the immediate de fleetion of the defence force. A Hankow agreement, it is pointed out. would in the first instance, open the wav to an immediate resumption ot normal’ commerce there, which would •give an opportunity to test the Canton ■ ■se good faith and their ability to mam fain order. In anv case, the situation nt bhang hai will’demand a fresh set of ne S oti “ tions between the Chinese and all the Powers concerned, and not only with Britain, as in the ease of the Hankow negotiations. Nevertheless, the oftu-m spokesman does not disguise a feeling that an agreement at Hankow ma> l a< t„ :l satisfactory settlement at shang hai more quickly than eo.dd have . xpeeted hitherto. arms fob'chinese. I firVATE dealers’ make haul. LONDON, February 15. The “Dailv Telegraph’s” diplomatic correspondent says: Berlin admits that quantities of German arms are reaching China, but it points out that they are no longer German arms. They consist of goods surrendered to the Allies, tram whom private dealers have bought (hem for next to nothing, and are now ’ selling them for a good price to <’hina. The German Government hits no power to hold up this foreign-owned material, in transit, across Germany.

BRITAIN AND RUSSIA.

Trade in Europe. DOES IT DISCOUNT RIVALRY IN CHINA. "LONDON, Feb. 15. In the House of Commons, Mr Locker Lampsmi, for the Ministry, replying to 3 question, said that no communication has passed between the Soviet Government and the British Foreign Office on lhe subject of China. Ma lor General Dawson (Conservative)' ‘‘What is the date the last pro' |r • ?-is made to the Soviet in eonuee

tion with their action in China?” Mr Locker Lampson: ‘‘That really does not arise out of the question.” He added that no communication whatever ht-4 taken place in connection with the lute M. Krassin’s successor. There has been no change in the Russian situation since Sir Austen Cham berlui-n’s statement thereon. Major General Dawson-: ‘‘No change! Even in view of what has happened in Chinn.”’ Mr Locker Lampson: ‘‘l did not say that the official Soviet press provides ample evidence of hostile propaganda against Britain without tile necessity of the Foreign Secretary producing further evidence.”

Mr Ramsay MacDonald: ‘‘lf that is lhe ease, the Foreign- Secretary had occasion to complain. Has he done so?” Mr Locker Lampson: ‘‘Certainly, in interviews with the Soviet representative. The trade agreembent has been broken over and over again.” Mr Samuel stated that Britain had sold Russia in 1925, nineteen millions worth of goods, and sold her 144 millions in 1926.