Grey River Argus FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 1927. CHINA.

Grey River Argus, 18 February 1927, Page 4

Grey River Argus FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 1927. CHINA.

Despite voluminous cables, the dynamics of the Chinese crisis are still largely obscure. Ruptures have been reported in the negotiations between Britain and (’anton, but it is clear those reports were false. It is very difficult indeed to interpret as a rupture Hie obvious Canion condition that foreign forces shall, in the event of an agreement on the matters of foreign concern, refrain from armed intervention in Chinese political matters, such as the struggle between those who espouse nationalism and unity, and those like Chang-Tso-Lin, who, under cover of an. ant i-Bolshevik cry, are trying to subvert popular interests to their individual influence and prestige. 11 is strange that the rupture reports should issue at the time when the Canton movement has gained a success over the Northern war lords. , It appears that the defeated Northern General has a free hand in Shanghai, and that the foreign objection to Chinese military there is only against the forces of Canton. Thus it is as plain as a pikestaff why the Canton spokesman as a prelude to signing an agreement with Britain, requests her assurance not to take sides with her forces or otherwise in the internal struggle. If this request is to be considered the base of a new situation, the question is, what was the British intention in the old situation? If Britain is merely seeking to safeguard Shanghai property and British lives in the eventuality of a Canton advance beyond the Yangtze, then the situation is not new, and her attitude is consistent. In that event, an early agreement is to be expected. Naturally foreign interests are likely to be affected by such a change as Hie extension of Hie Canton regime beyond Shanghai would mean, and the forces may have been really sent with an eye to that development. The latest news of the fall of Hangchow, and the Northern retirement close to Shanghai certainly shows which regime is calculated to stabilise China, and it is to be hoped the British Foreign Office, remaining awake to the logic of accomplished facts, will realise the wisdom of seeking stabilisation on the conditions best calculated to endure.