TROUBLE IN CHINA

Hokitika Guardian, 19 January 1927, Page 2

TROUBLE IN CHINA

(Australian & N.Z. Cable Association.]

BRITISH CABINET MEETING. LONDON. Jan. 17. The Government is taking every precaution to protect Britons in China, said (sir Austen Chamberlain (Foreign Secretary), when reporting on the situation in Shanghai and Hankow to a special meeting of the Cabinet. The meeting was attended by Sir Worthington Evans, the Secretary of State for War, who was recalled from the ltiviera. SirL. Worthington Evans interviewed. Admiral Millie and Mr AY. C. Bridgeman (First Lord of the Admiralty) on his way to London in connection with the fleet movements. The members of the Cabinet who are on holiday are returning to London this week. LONDON, .Tan. 17. The outcome of a prolonged British Cabinet discussion of the Chinese situation may bo summed up in the following terms; “The preparedness of the Government to negotiate with the Chinese to any reasonable extent, and on a liberal iiisis; hut the Government is not prepared to surrender to violence.” A detailed statement of the position will he issued to-morrow. CABINET’S UNCERTAINTY. LONDON, Jan. 17. The Cabinet Ministers »nt for two and a half hours discussing China. The officials of the Foreign Office and the War Offices, also of the Admiralty and Air Marshal Trenchnrd were in attendance. Reports from Sir H. La nips on (Britisli Minister) and Air O’Malley (British Envoy at Hankow) were odThe “Daily Ttfograpli’s’’ diplomatic correspondent says:—“Evidently no suitable basis of negotiations has been hitherto discovered. The truth is that Eugene Chen’s assurancesl conceining thcTCantonese ability to protect foreign life and property have been proved to bo the merest illusions, and the use of negotiating with so unreliable a person is highly dubious ” The same correspondent goes on to hint that “the factor most likely to impress Eugene Chen is vigorous action by tho British Navy.” ' Finally, it is suggested that the question for the Cabinet to-day is that o( increasing tho defence force, and ol throwing the entire responsibility of protecting the Hankow concession upon the Chinese.

THE ATLANTIC FLEET. LONDON. Jan. 17. The Atlantic Fleet consisting of forty warships, has sailed for Spanish ports. The ,fleet comprises mine sweepers, the Third Battle Squadron, the Fifth ami Sixth Destroyer Flotillas, the Second Cruiser Squadron and the flagship “Revenge.” LONDON. Jan. 17. Tho Daily Herald’s diplomatic correspondent refers to the Chinese situation as '“very grave,” and adds: “No eventuality can ho ruled out.” Even tho possibility of attempting, to recapture the Hankow concessions by force of arms is not entirely excluded. CHINESE EXECUTION. SHANGHAI. January 17. The White Russian paper " ITossia. ” publishes an interesting story relative to the widespread activities of Cantonese propagandists under Bolshevik control. Recently General Yangcho, a tvo 11 known Chinese administrator of the Chinese eastern railway, was seized by orders of. CTiaiigtsolin and charged of Bolshevik leanings and summarily executed. A search of deceased's premises revealed thousands of Soviet rifles, adequate ammunition, pistols, hand grenades and preparation for a cou]i d’etat; also correspondence with Chiangkai.sliok. liordin and other Southern Red leaders, 'the story goes that the conn was fixed for January 15th. hut the summary removal of the chief mover brought the plot to nought. (Tiangtsolin is unlikely to handle revolutionaries in any gentle manner, in view of the continual efforts of Russian Bolshevists to deprive him of Chinese interest in the most important railway in China. The whole story is indicative of far-reaching schemes for Cantonese and Bolshevik advisers and the length to which they are prepared to

STAND AT SHANGHAI. LONDON. Jan. 17

The Daily Express’s diplomatic correspondent referring to the Cabinet’s discussion outcome, says: “Tn other words the Government is not going to climb down any further. A firm stand will he made against extremists. It is contended that Shanghai must he protected at all costs.” He adds: “Projected naval movements were approved, and a naval demonstration in force in Chinese waters is under consideration.” SHANGHAI STRIKE. (Received this day at 3 a.m.) PEKING, January IS. Despite the settlement of the tramway strike at Shanghai last week, a strike has again broken out ; completely disrupting the service. The strikers are comparatively well behaved. Only three tramenrs were attacked and broken up to-dav, necessitating a dispersal of crowds by the police.

BELGIUM'S EXAMPLE. PEKING. Jan. 17

'Wellington Koo (Chinese Foreign Minister) land the Belgian Minister at Peki, accompanied by experts and secretaries. met at the Chinese Foreign Office to inaugurate the negotiations for a new Chino-Belgian treaty. The Belgian Minister announced that he was prepared to refurn to China all the rights that were conferred oil Belgium under the convention of 1902 in the Belgian Concession at Tientsin, reserving only the private property rights, in order to show Belgium’s sineeritv and goodwill to China. Wellington Koo thanked Belgium for voluntarily renouncing her claim. He stated that la Commission of Experts would he appointed at the earliest moment to arrange to take over control.