CHINESE TROUBLE

Hokitika Guardian, 25 January 1927, Page 3

CHINESE TROUBLE

CAustralia & N.Z. Cable Association.] SHANGHAI DEFENCE FORCE. LONDON, January 21. The War Office announced the formation of a Shanghai defence force of twelve battalions including the Coldstream Guards; also an armoured ear company, which will proceed to China as soon as transports are ready. TO PAY SUB TAX. SHANGHAI, January 2i. The British Government having unconditionally agreed to the levying of Washington surtaxes the British Legation advises British merchants to pay 2] per cent surtax now being levied at Shanghai and 5 per cent luxury surtax, when it is imposed. \ -MORE TROOPS FOR CHINA. LONDON, Jan. 21. War Office officially announced that the Government of India is arranging to despatch to Shanghai two British and two Indian battalions. ( CHINA’S CLAIMS. FO IN DEPEND BN CE.

(Received this dav at 9.30 a.m.) SHANGHAI. Jan. 23.

Cuecn Chen, Nationalist Foreign Minister, has authorised a statement which explains Britain’s despatch of troops to China. Ex parte, he says: “The question is not what Britain and the Powers wish to grant to Chinn in order to meet the legitimate aspirations of the Chinese, but what China may justly grant Britain and others whose regime of international control is now definitely sharing the fate of all systems of political subjection. The system of international control as known to the Foreign Imperialist has necessarily involved such limitation, of Chinese Sovereignty, economic, judicial and political, that real independence has not been enjoyed in China since England imposed the mnki eg) of war on opium, therefore it is historically true to state the British having defeated China in the opium ■«'nr, deprived her of her independence. Englishmen of a generation have perhaps forgotten, hut Nationalist China with her old iron of defeat in her flesh, remembers. Chinn’s dominant aim to-dav is the recovery of ’her independence, lost at the hands of the British in the opium war. Until this is accomplished, there cannot ho real pence lx?tween Chinese Nationalism and British Imperialism. A nation which is not dying cannot he at peace with its conqueror, hut will strike at the selected moment. The selected moment of Chinese Nationalism came when Brifftsh controlled rifles were ordered to shoot to kill Chineso students on Chinese soil on May 30th. at Shanghai, and when following the further killing of Chinese students and others by foreigners at Canton and elsewhere in June. The economic weapon was forged by Chineso nationalism in South China. The struggle has spread continuously and will not cease until complete independence has been won.”

F URTFIER* ’INFORMATION

(Received this day at 11.0 a.m.)

SHANGHAI, January 21. jjHJght is thrown on Soviet troop Movements on the Manchuria border by the arrest nml execution of General Yangchow, adviser to Chang Tso Lin. When the Soviet coup to overthrow Mukden was frustrated, documents seized reveal a huge scheme involving Soviet military plans to capture three eastern provinces and exterminate Chang, and construct a huge arsenal located at Harbin, for distribution of nTiiis to followers of Yangchow. Prior to his execution. Yangchow was tortured and revealed the entire plot, implicating Soviet officials at Peking and else where.

v - Japanese and other diplomatic circles view the matter seriously. % The Hankow incident is now regardtil as of secondary importance in view of the developments pending at Shanghai. A large Japanese naval force is reported to have been secretly despatched to Chinese waters, and anchored at the mouth of the Yangtze. Several British merchant ships with troops from llong Kong are likewise off the Coast awaiting developments.

The seriousness of the situation has long been realised hy local residents and is only now apparently being realised hy the Home Government, judging by large troop departures from England and India. Chineso extremists lhave started a movement to combat which international co-operation is imperative. Alone, China would be unable to achieve the extremists’ aims but might be successful with Soviet assistance.

A Japanese news'' agency supports the earlier reports that Soviet troops are massing on the Manchuria frontier. Their purpose is not clear. Shanghai local authorities are appealing to foreigners to join the volunteer corps. Americans are showing reluctance to resist the -so-called Chinese nationalist movement. A White Russian unit has been formed. TROOPS OX ORDER. LONDON. January. 24. The “Star” points out that reinforcements despatched to China or ordered to he in readiness to sail total sixteen thousand, comprising twelve British and Indian line hattaiions each 890 strong, a thousand marines, the crews of four cruisers, two gunboats and two destroyers en route and two destroyer flotillas preparing. ARMOURER CAR CORPS. LONDON, Jan. 24. An armoured car company consistingof 130 officers''and men and belonging to the Royal TJink Corns has been ordered to be ready for China.

t AMERICAN ACTION. WASHINGTON, Jan. 24. Admiral Williams reported twentysix American, warships in Chinese waters are converging on Shanghai. American missionaries and business men from the interior are hurrying to Shanghai expecting- to emUuk for foreign ports, if the native demonstrations continue.

United States Government views the situation very seriously and anxiety is reflected in renewed orders to American commanders to avoid unneces- , .wiry force, which might stimulate the rioters further. Altogether the administration is adopting a policy of watchful waiting. There are fifteen thousand Americans in Shanghai.

COMMAND AT SIIANIIAI. (Received this day at 1.30 p m ) LONDON. Jan. 24. y An official message states Major Gene Ail John Duncan commnads the Shanghai defence force which consists of the Thirteenth Infantry Brigade (comprising the following batallions— First Middlesex. First Cameroiiions, First Border Regiment, First Green Howards), the Fourteenth Infantry Brigade (comprising the Second Coldstream Guards, First Bedford’s and Hertford’s, Second Bodrer Regiment, First Devonshire's), the Twentieth Indian Infantry Brigade (comprising ti e Second Gloucestershire and Second Durham Light Infantry, Fourth and First, Punjabis and Third and Fourteenth Punjabis.) The artillery consists of ail armoured car company with auxiliary services. Duncan proceeds to Shanghai on January 2otli. It is understood the Herminius of twelve thousand tons. Has been chartered for transport, making the fifth. VOLUNTEERS. LONDON, Jan. 24. A report has reached the War Office that Dominion troops including Aus-

tralians may be offered for China but there luts been no official intimation. It is understood the question of the Dominions volunteering is entirely their own affair. Certainly Britain offers not the slightest suggestion of the Dominions entering the question. Britain will provide all the forces required. It is expected the troops at present warned "ill be ample.