CHINESE TROUBLE

Hokitika Guardian, 19 January 1927, Page 3

CHINESE TROUBLE

[Australia & N.Z. Cable Association/ BELGIUM’S ATTITUDE. ' MU SSELS. Jan. 17. Advices from Poking state that the Belgian .Minister has addressed a not* to the Chinese Foreign Office regarding the conclusion of a new 1 UhinoBclgian treaty, and the suspension "I proceedings that were instituted by Belgium before the Court of International Justice with reference to China's denunciation of the treaty of 1865. It appears that Wellington Kuo (the Foreign -Minister at Peking) recently proposed to Belgium a renewal of the negotiations for the conclusion of a commercial treaty to replace the treaty of 1805, and the Belgian Minister in Peking wrfas instructed to reply favourably thereto. Belgium, meanwhile, reserves tluright to take the ease before tht Hague Court, if the negotiations fail.

A FRIENDLY GESTURE. (Received this dav at 8.50 a. in.) PEKIN. Jan. 18. Regarding the Belgian offer to hand over Tient concession, it is interesting to note the China Year Book of 1020 gives its population as foreigners, nil; Chinese- population, two thousand. The territory is thus infinitesimal ami the Belgian action is merely a friendly gesture. JAPAN’S ATTITUDE. TOKTO, Jan. 18. Japan’s China policy announced in the Foreign Minister's speech in the Diet, involves strict protection of Japan’s legal rights in China, which are unbridgeable and uninodifiable. Conceding this .the Chinese may light long in the desire to establish such a form of Government ns seems best to themselves. Any form of foreign intervention seeking to impose any foreign made plan upon China is bound to fail. Japan is agreeable to the collection of surtaxes, provided the spirit of the Washington Treaty is e.mrried out and provided ndequato provisions are made reasonable to revenues, they will not go to assure additional civil war or private use by any faction provided such guarantees arc given. The resumption of the Custom’s Conference is desirable, at which Japan ■would welcome responsible representatives both north and south, within the Chinese delegation. Shidebara denied a possiblitv of a Russo-Japanese clash in Manchuria, where the Soviet policy is one of trade only, the same as Japan’s. He regrets America has not adjusted the question of immigration discrimination, but is glad that a true understanding rtf Japan’s pacificism is growing among, the Americans. The Premier in a speech says Japan’s naval plans will only prevent diminution of strength below the factor of safety, while the matter of a reduction of conscript term will bo pushed.

MARINES FOR. CHINA. LONDON, Jan. 18

The “Evening News’’ states the Admiralty lias chartered transports to convey all available marines to China, the first transport sailing from Portsmouth on 21st.

IN THE DIET. TOKYO, Jan. 18

Probably the last session of the-pre-sent Diet elected in 1921, reopened and heard In remarkable speech by the ex-Foreign Minister Shidelmra, who proclaimed Japan hitherto had no reason to consider China vfas infringing in any of Japan’s rights. Japan could not participate in nny raid upon China’s rights, ambitions or policies hut on the contrary, would support China as long as China observed the laws recognised by the civilised. Shideliarp asserted no foreign plans for control of China proposed by any foreign nation to suit its own convenience, could now bo imposed upon China, nor would China acquiesce in or submit to foreign dictation. Shidebara also proclaimed Japan’s entire friendship with Soviet Russia which definitely exploded the unjustifiable pessimism >of those predicting a Russo-Japanese war over Manclmriw. CHEN’S VIEWS. SHANGHAI, Jan. 18. Chen, despite his birth in a British possession, lias long been violently anti-British. He voiced pro-German views ns correspondent of a Pekin newspnper in the war time, and subsequently edited tho “People’s Tribune” at Peking. He villified the British'as murderers, robbers and liars. He went to Canto nafter imprisonment for falsely reporting Changtoslin’s death, and speedily became Prime Minister. Despite the evacuation order missionary men. women and children are staying at Chongstu. The Consul and vice-Consul 'are leaving on January 21st. Only six women remain at Chungking. CRUISER FLEET FOR CHINA. MALTA, Jan. 18. The cruiser squadron, with the exception of the “Dauntless” sails for China to-morrow.