The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. MONDAY. JANUARY 10, 1927 HANKOW AND AFTER.

Hokitika Guardian, 10 January 1927, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. MONDAY. JANUARY 10, 1927 HANKOW AND AFTER.

The recent episode at Hankow invests the situation in China, so far as the British in particular are concerned, with very great- interest. The details available at the time of writing are not complete, rendering the actual position rather obscure, hut the story given out by a well-known press correspondent of the Hankow incident, is not very reassuring. At present the British garrison is numerically weak, and it laid to undergo an ordeal which was extremely trying. But the report indicates that the British sailors and marines comported themselves in the host manner in keeping with naval traditions. That at least is clear, and is satisfactory as far as it goes. It may he inferred that there is much to come after Hankow. The British cannot remain passive indefinitely. We know of course that Britain has no desire for extreme measures, and the diplomatic representatives are doing all they can to adjust matters in a friendly way. At the same time there is so much involved in the way of British lives and wealth, that the nation cannot afford to deal weakly with the situation. British interests in Chinn arc very great, and to secure them, prestige must he maintained. The sent of the trouble is the mixed state oT affairs in China. There is naturally a very friendly element in China to Great Britain, an element which recognises fully the power and prestige of the country. But there are the extremists who are acting under Russian influences, and in such quarters there is a foment of antagonism to British interests. Indeed the anti-foreign feeling is being manifested generally with the ultimate object of supplanting the present foreign hold on China by Soviet influences. That appears to be the general conclusion as to the present course of events. In the meantime Britain is actually alone. But there are very capable British representatives at the head of affairs in Chinese waters. Of the British representatives in China. Sir Miles T/anyosen is a most capable and trusted official. His naval advisers are among the most notable of the British Navy. The naval force is being added to steadily, while even the necessity of diverting the “Renown'’ to Chinese waters if eventually required, lias not been lost sight of. So far there has not been any serious bloodshed. The actual occupation of the British concession seems to he in doubt, though it is evident some help in checking the rioting was attempted by the Canton Government—which is a helpful sign. There may he some arrangement merging to that effect, for Sir Miles Lampson submitted a British memorandum which indicated a desire to work in with the most stable native authority operating in Southern China. There is unfortunately a great- jumble of parties in China, making it very difficult- to adjust matters with an authoritative body. On that account it is impossible at this distance to gauge the progress of affairs at their true merits. It was reported that Sir Miles Lamnson went to Hankow, and if he is at the danger point there will be confidence felt in watching the progress of events. He

knows the inside situation, and that is the key to the whole position. Ho may be credited with the ability to do the right thing in the right way, and while there will l>e concern while there is uncertainty, there will he the ultimate expectation that Britain will maintain a right and honest position in the end.