TROUBLE IN CHINA

Hokitika Guardian, 14 January 1927, Page 2

TROUBLE IN CHINA

'Australian & N.Z. Cable Association.] BRITISH ANTICIPATION. LONDON, Jan. 13. “The Times” points out that Shanghai is 'the key position” both from the Chinese and from the international viewpoint, and it says: —Victory at Shanghai for the Kuomintang Government might prove decisive in its more difficult task of achieving a dominence over Northern China. Moreover, the Custom, revenue is greater in Shanghai than it is elsewhere, and this is naturally, the object of keen inu;.' >t to the political forces contending fo". supremacy. It is welcome news therefore that the Cabinet is alert to the fact that there may yet be time to decide carefully its tactics and policy. Already there are indications of revolutionary propaganda; which always precedes a Kuomintang offensive, being attempted in Shanghai.

BRITISH CABIN FT MF. FT TNG. LONDON, Jan. 13. Marshal TrcnelumL the Chief of the Air Force, was summoned to yesterday’s Cabinet meeting, at which Sir Austell Chamberlain made a most Ictniled statement regarding ike happenings in Cbimi. The Cabinet meeting lasted for ninety minutes. A number of the members of the Cabinet affirm that no decision was readied at the meeting, as the Ministers are awaiting a report front Mr O'Malley regarding the conversations with Chen at llaukow. ( The “Daily Express’’ states that at yesterday’s meeting the Cabinet gave approval to a pacific policy in China, Hie whole desire being that bloodshed shall be avoided. It adds that this was’the first review of the situation since the Christmas holidays. Mr Baldwin felt that no further time should be lost in consulting with those Ministers who were available.

The ‘‘Dailv Express” adds: “It is understood that Mr O’Malley was'not empowered to discuss the treaty policy. He was instructed to seek to avert a conflict.”

!! A NKOAY CONFER F-NCF,

PEKING, Jan. 12

Mr O’Malley (British representative) had a two-hours’ conference with Chen at the Foreign Office at Hankow. No statement lias been issued, hut the tension has undoubtedly been lessened. Britishers are now able to move free around the concessions.

EVACUATION OBSTACLES. PEKING. .Tan. 12

News from up the river Yangtze indicates that the evacuation of-foreign-ers from the interior is proving difficult .owing to there being a general boycott, the result of which is that no boats or other conveniences or coolies are available, and many are compelled to walk.

AT KIUKIANG. PEKING, Jan. 12

Foreigners arriving from Kiukiang state that the Cantonese are stationed as sentries in the concession there. A dozen foreign men are remaining. They are distributed between the warships Scarab anil Wyvern. They were able to reach safety only with much difficulty, owing to obstruction from a mob.

The British Consul at Kiukiang managed to remove the archives before sealing the consulate, which, so far lias not been molested. The Consul is now living aboard a steam launch, from which the Consular flag still iiios. The, French Commissioner of Customs at Kuikiang is also functioning aboard a 1,-lynch.

Some thirteen foreigners including women and children are still at Killing (near Kuikiang) where they have elected to remain, although advised to leave.

SIR J. ALLEN’S VIEW. DUNEDIN. January 13

At the jubilee celebrations of the Tuapeka County last evening at Lawson. Sir James Allen expressed thankfulness that Britain had preserved her calm in the Chinese hubbub, and had done nothing to augment the bad feeling. either from China or other nations.

Sir Jams Allen added: " It is impossible at present to come to a conclusion on tlic Chinese question. AVe must cxcrci.se profound patience and be careful to do-nothing that would he wrongly interpreted. At the end patience will be rewarded.”

MORE AVAR TALK. AUCKLAND. January 13. Contrary to a current rumour in Auckland to-day. the warship Diomede has not been ordered to the China station, nor has all leave boon stopped. 1 lie tact that a few Jack Tars were seen humping their seabags and suitcases on to the Devonport Ferries bad no underlying significance, their ordinary leave having expired. There may be war, or rumours of war in the China Sea. but the officers and men of the Diomede are not worrying. The vessel lies alongside her sister, the Dunedin, snugly moored at the sbeerlegs, and the bugle calls which ling out clear across the harbour carry no summons to feverish activity in the stokehold or elsewhere aboard the trim cruiser.

CHINESE BOYCOTT. (Received this day at 8 a.m.) PEKIN. January 13. A wireless from Changsha states a general strike and boycott has begun. Arrangements have been made at Lining to evacuate four hundred British and two hundred Americans from Szechuan. CHINESE AfOVE. SHANGHAI. Jan. 11. Reports regarding the desire of Peking Government to take over the concession at Tientsin proved to be nearer the truth than at first imagined. Representatives of the Peking Government called on certain legislators and suggested the foreign concessions at Tientsin should be banded to flic Chinese. This attitude is not considered surprising, as the ease of Hankow is considered a precedent, which it is apparently certain the Chinese intend to follow elsewhere.

Students ransacked a Japanese shop at Foochow, confiscated and burned a considerable quantity of goods. Customs transit passes for foreign goods have been refused recognition.