TROUBLE IN CHINA

Hokitika Guardian, 27 January 1927, Page 2

TROUBLE IN CHINA

Australian & N’.Z. Cable Association.]

FRENCH ACTION. PARIS, Jan. 25. The French Cabinet discussed the situation in China.

M. Briand (Foreign Minister) reported that he had sent new instructions to the French representative in reference to collaboration with the other Powers and to the defence of French concessions if attacked.

THE BRITISH POLICY. LONDON. Jan. 25

Sir P. Cunliffo Lister, in a speech, referred to the Cantonese manifesto. He declared: “Chen completely misrepresents the British policy. It contains nothing of aggression or of imperialism, but it expresses a genuine will for peace. Nevertheless we cannot submit to violence.”

MARINES EMBARK. LONDON. Jan. 20

The embarking of one thousand marines and two flights of the Air Force aboard the Minnesota took place today. It recalled the episodes that were familiar during the world war, but tlie light-hearted gaiety to-day at Portsmouth was very different from the grim tragedies enacted in 1914-18.

The whole town of Portsmouth turned out to cheer the marines. The marines marched for three miles along the South Sea front-. They were singing “Shanghai! Shanghai!” This

is now n most popular song. At the entrance to the dockyard, a hand struck up Sir Edward Elgar’s “Land of Hope and Glory.” The fatigue parties then stowed the kits aboard the- shin, and tho cranes lifted the aeroplanes to the decks. The public farewell has now finished. Only the close relatives of tho marines will he allowed to the jetty to shout a last- “good bye!” when the Minnesota steals away at dawn.

LONDON PUBLIC OPINION LONDON. Jail.

The Daily Express says in an editorial : “The man in the street is not satisfied that the extensive military

measures are merely precautionary. Julian has decided not to send troops: and the Foreign Affairs Committee of the United StStes Congress have decided to make a new agreement, indepen tlv of the other Powers. Britain is willing to protect its own interests and the lives and property of its nations, but there is no reason to do more. Britain does not mind holding its own. baby, but does not want any foundlings on its doorstep.”

CANADA. GETS A’ HINT. VANCOUVER, Jan. 26.

An Ottawa message in the “Toronto Globe” says: “The departure of the British troops for Shanghai was followed on Tuesday by an unofficial message from the 1 Motherland, inquiring about the opinion existing in Canada concerning the trouble in China. It was suggested that tho Dominion, of Canada might he invited to send a small expeditionary force, in view of there being a large number of Canadian missionaries in the Orient, and also of important Canadian coinniercial interests there, which might he threatened by the action of the Chinese nationalists.

The “Globe” message adds—“ While there, has boon no official pronouncement forthcoming, it is stated on good authority, that Canada has not yet asked to participate in the British military plans.”

SOVIET REPORTED ANGRY. LONDON. Jan. 20

According to reliable reports, the Soviet Government is furiously angry over the despatch of the large British naval and military reinforcements to China, says the London “Daily Telegraph’s” diplomatic correspondent. He continues: “Moscow has repeatedly assured tho Cantonese that popular opinion in Engl'and and its Communist ami Socialist friends will not permit the British Government to send a single unit hence. The Cantonese were told that they could bluff the British out of every settlement and concession with impunity. The Bolslievik disillusionment is apparently bitter. Moscow had honed to secure the ejection from China, first of Britain, and then of America. This would have left Soviet Russia, in. China eonfronting only Japan and tho smaller European Powers, with whom it was thought a deal might have been made.”

The correspondent emphasises that Britain was no party to the Chinese civil wars. He says: “The Chinese city and the province of Shanghai hare changed hands several times in recent, years. Our only concern was to prevent the Cantonese from over-running the international settlement, and abolishing the foreign and municipal council.”

MOSCOW ACCUSED. LONDON. Jan. 20. The Daily Mail in commenting, says: “Moscow is suspending revolutionary activties everywhere, and is concentrating on China, where it hopes to deal a heavy blow at Britain. All leading agitators, plentifully supplied with funds, are arriving for the purpose of using every possible means to prevent an Anglo-Cantoneso agreement. There is a significant lull in Bolshevik activities, particularly noticeable in India, Afghanistan. Persia and even in France and the Colonies. AN OFFER OF MEN NEW PLYMOUTH. Jan. 26. Lieut-Colonel Weston, as the Com mandant of the New Zealand Legion of Frontiersmen, has wired to the Acting Prime Minister, offering 200 men fully equipped, for service in China

CHINESE BUREAU LONDON. Jan. 25. The "Duly Mail” states that it lias discovered a Chinese information bureau, not connected with the Chinese Legation, in Belgrave Road, which it states, disseminates Cantonese propaganda. It is in charge of Francis Orlando Bridgeman, who is admittedly in constant- touch with the Cantonese Government.

FRENCH PRESS VIEW

PARIS. Jan. 25. “Shanghai,” declares “Lo Journal” “which does fully half of - China's trade, must be held at any cost. We are in entire agreement with Britain on this point. The Powers must solidly show an intention to be respected.

DEPARTURE TO CHINA. LONDON. January 26. It- is learned that the English destover flotilla will probably leave for China on 19th February. The Minnesota left at nine in the morning. She was accorded a rousing faewell unparalleled in the Great War. Friends and relations thronged the quayside. .Marines rushed down the gangways and hugged wives and sweethearts. Three hands played lively airs, marines and those bidding them farewell roaring the choruses. Finally the ship cast off to the strains of Auld Lang Syne and a wonderful demonstration of - cheers from ship and counter cheers from the quayside.

A RUSSIAN STATEMENT. SHANGHAI. January 26. Interviewed at Hankow Borodin Russian advisor to Soviet Government) attributed the singling out of \

Britain for attack by Knomintung extremists to the fact that no amends were made for the Shanghai, Shamen, and Wanshicn affairs.

Referring to the British memorandum Tie stated the only tangible proposal in it placed large sums in the hands of northern militarists. Regarding the prospects of the southerners holding gro'und against the north, Borodin admitted the military northerners might appear to have an advantage, but lie declares they were as good as defeated. History condemned them and all that remained was to bury the corpse. MINNESOTA SATLS. LONDON. Jan. 2G. The troopship Minnesota has sailed for China.