CHINESE TROUBLE

Hokitika Guardian, 27 January 1927, Page 3

CHINESE TROUBLE

(Australia & N.Z. Cable Association.] JAPANESE STATE.MEXT. (Received this day at 8.50 a.in.) TOKYO, January 20. Japanese officials denouneo as pure propaganda the cabled reports that Britain, Japan and America are cooperating in a military and naval demonstration against Hankow. Government authorities assert that Japan de(lined to associate with Britain in demonstrating in force, because' she considers it premature and liable to react seriously against the participants interests and future influence. The Japanese Navy has despatched four destroyers for patrol of Canton/.e with 'positive orders not to land troops.

\ A DIFFICULT POSITION. 'm LONDON, January 20. '"Diplomatists and parliamentarians are discussing the possibility of legations acting in the Chinese difficulty, but in well-informed circles it is pointed out there is little hope of such an eventuality, until there is one consolidated recognised Chinese Government. present problems largely arise from the international and domestic instability. Even if action were taken under article seven it would require tbe council’s unanimity, but if the powers involved directly or indirectly were eliminated little San Salvador would remain the only deliberate member of the Council. A further lack of unity among tiic Powers does not augur for unamity in the League, nor is there a certainty whom Chinn’s delegate on tiie Council represents. The chief hope lies in Britain’s peace proposals being communicated to Peking and then expounded at Geneva with the Chinese in the hope of inducing an international agreement. OFF TO CHINA. LONDON. January 26. 1 The aircraft carrier Argus has been ordered to China. i MALTA. .January 2(1. ,■ Tlie destroyers Wanderer and Wnolston and gunboats Aphis and Ladybird and hospital ship Maine arc expected to leave for China on February Ist. BRITAIN’S INTENTIONS. (Received this day at 0.30 a.in.) , LONDON, January 20. “ You cannot negotiate witill a typhoon, you must secure safety for ( yourself and family till it blows out,” ( said Sir Thomas Inskip, speaking at Lipton. “When that happy clay comes the Government will be ready to begin negotiation with Eugene Chen, preferable to war. Whatever responsible authority ordered, an attack on British at Hankow I do not know, hut the manner in which the scriptural injunction to turn the- other cheek to be smitten was obeyed, proves the British anxiety to prevent tbe conflict of arms. The division going to China is not designed to co-operate with the Chinese faction to defend Chinese territory or ’ the British concession. Its solo purpose is to sec sixteen thousand British . men, women and children at Shanhgai are as safe as they can he made.” I

U.S. MEMORANDUM. WASHINGTON, Jan. 27. ' Thq State Department .will issue a memorandum to-morrow rejecting the Chinese demands for Treaty revision, despite the present menace to American lives and property. The memorandum will express (sympathy with Chinese aspirations and will commit United States to treaty revision ns soon ns a stable Chinese Government is able to

negotiate, but will insist oil a gradual of extra territoriality treaty privileges, under which. American courts and troops are maintained in China. It will express entire agreement with a desire to throw off the “foreign

yoke,” but will express the conviction present conditions of Chinese law and the political situation do not afford adequate protection for American lives and property which would he dependent entirely on them if American courts and troops are withdrawn. Tho memorandum will repeat the hope that China will soon bo able to provide conditions of order and progress justifying United States desire to relinquish a protection of legitimate American interests to Chinese official institutions. This will depend upon the reform of Chinese courts, modification of native law, and the establishment of a fairly stable responsible

Oentral Government able to speak for V the Chinese people and enforce tbe * laws. The memorandum will commit the Government to a much slower proKramme of change than urged by the Porter resolution, which was favourably reported to the House and will gen- . erally agree with the policies advocated by the Peking Minister, Mr MaeMurrnv and other American officials.

CANA DIA N ATTTT QDK. OTTAWA, Jim. 27. Confidential reports bv day of tlie developments in tlie Chinese situation, aro being’ received regularly l»v the Canadian Government from tlie British Government, but so far officially no suggestion has been made in regard to a Canadian proposition for sending t'roops to China. It is felt here that if the question arises, troops would not be sent without the authority of Parliament. THE BRITISH PROPOSALS. (Received this day at 10.15 a.m.) LONDON' Jan. 26. It is understood Mr O’Malley lias made definite proposals to Chen, doubtless relating to guarantees and assurances. It is emphasised authoritatively that it is a mistake to suggest that Mr O’Malley was merely concerned in the discussion over the Hankow 'affair.. Ho is making proposals which had been considered in London for months past, referring to the whole of China. It is pointed out that great attention is drawn to military and other preparations. This, by putting things out of due proportion, has obscured the likelihood of Britain's constructive policy bearing fruit. It is declared there is a very good chance for this, even before the arrival of British troops in China. Definite constructive proposals by Britain to the whole of China will he known to the authorities of (China possibly within the next few days, and unless these authorities are bent on mlaking Auglorelations impossible, there is / no reason why a satisfactory result should nqt he reached. TEN EXECUTIONS. PRKTNOv Jam 20. General Hovingchin, who is Kuomintung’s commander-in-chief at Fukien j ty.as arrested 200 alleged anti-foreign rioters, connected with the recent disturbance at Foochow, and has executed ten. WAU MATERIAL FOR CHINA. (Received this day at 12.25 p.m.) COPENHAGEN. January 20. It is reported from Helingfors that two trains left Moscow, laden with war equipment for the Chinese Nationalist forces. Two others, laden with grenades and cartridges are folowing immediately.