TROUBLE IN CHINA

Hokitika Guardian, 8 January 1927, Page 3

TROUBLE IN CHINA

{Australian & N.Z. Cable Association

THE CHINESE POSITION

LONDON, Jau. G. Official circles admit the Chinese situation is still grave, but point out the withdrawal of women and children from Hankow is not necessarily alarming. Tv political correspondent says no shot will he fired on behalf of Britain unless it is absolutely necessary l'or defence. Trouble makers taro doing their utmost to get Britain to open fire and are only awaiting a single shot which will start a conflagration. Kuomintung is doing everything possible to humiliate Britain, but Britain does not want warfare. A despatch received at Downing .Street states Cheng apologised for the desecration of the war memorial and *u'lso asked Downing Street to instruct Lanipson to recall the woman mid children, for whom Cheng personally giml'anfees safety, blit it is unlikely the inhabitants will return. 'JT SHANGHAI. Jan. fi. "'ho story of tho evacuation of British concession at Hankow is the most humiliating in tho history of foreigners in China. While owing to the distance full details are unavailable, sufficient liavo arrived in private messages to indicate tho total failure of British jmspuratilon s'to meet the situation created by Kuomintung agitation. The

* smallness of tho British forces availW able led tho British authorities to de-•-fcido to evacuate tho volunteeer forces and not land sailors from ships. The position now is that tho British concession is no longer controlled by Bribut is in the hands of Chinese nationalists. This with the evacuation of women and children from Kiukiang, Wuhu and Ichang, constitutes almost a complete evacuation of Yangsze Valley, tho most damaging blow to British prestige in the Far Fast.

ACTION AT H.VNKOAV. •SHANGHAI. Jan. 7. Chinese soldiers, excepting the military police, have been withdrawn from the British Concession at Hankow. HANKOW QUIET. SHANGHAI, Jan. 7. The situation in Hankow is not quiet. iThe main gate between the British Concession and the Chinese City re(•fnnitis open. * Chinese military police are guarding tho concession in conjunction with the British navial and marine forces, who have been landed, and who are on the best of terms with the Chinese Guard. There is evidence that the more moderate elements in the Nationalist Government deprecate the recent incidents. LONDON, Jan. 7. The British official attitude regwrding Hankow is that any clash with the unruly native element should he avoided. The last thing desired is that Bolshevist influence behind the mob should use the deaths of'any Chinese at British hands ;:is a justification for further violence.

THREAT TO USE FORCE. / LONDON, Jan. 7. A later message slates:—Vice Admiral Tyrwhitt, the new Command-er-in-Chicf of the British China Squadron is reported to he dashing to Hankow in a destroyer, armed with an ultiirOtum that Britain is unable to tolerate any further anti-British outrages, and that unless they cease immediately, nml the concession restored, and tin* molestation of British nationals ended i force wifi bo used.

SHANGHAI. Jan. 7. The Hankow concession lins been handed back to the British, who again control their own police, who are now operating with the assistance of the (jlantonese Military Police. Chunng Kai Shek is to issue a proclamation denouncing tile action of the extremists.

BATTLES NEAP HANGCHOW. *• SHANGHAI, Jan. lilt is reported that General Sun Chuan Fang has captured Fuyang, 20 miles from Hangchow (which is 100 miles from Shanghai). Jfojs means that General Sun Gliejm Fang’s forces have gained a decisive victory. . , ~ . Reports from Canton indicate that General Cliiang Kaishok is leaving Wuc'jjui to direct a new attack on Hangchow city. . . . . Fighting is now continuing in tue vicinity of Hangchow.