CHINESE TROUBLE.

Hokitika Guardian, 3 February 1927, Page 3

CHINESE TROUBLE.

CHEN’S STATEMENT.

fllY TELEGRAPH—I'EH I’ItESN ASSOCIATION"

(ucceived this aa.v at y.nu a.in.; SHANGHAI, February 2. Eugene Chen's statement to O'.Mulley breaking off negotiations deelares:— “Since negotiations regarding the future status of tiie British concession at Hankow began on 12th January, a

singular concentration of armed British forces has been progressing at Shanghai with the alleged object of protection of British lives and property in the event of their being endangered by the forcible occupation of the interim tio settlement at Shanghai, lint it is significant that though Japanese and Americans have largo vital interests in the same place they have not found it

necessary to resort to the massing of

firmed forces there. In a manifesto on 22nd January. the Nationalist Government declared it teas its intention to have all questions relating to the treaty and other cognate matters settled by negotiations and agreement. This impliedly covered and was so intended to cover the question of the future .status of the international settlement at Shanghai, which it was not and never has been within contemplation of the Government to occupy by force. It was believed this might lead to a cessation or at least slowing down of the massing of British forces in China, and accordingly the Nationalist Government decided to take no notice of what might appear to be not only menacing hut provocative operation by the British and negotiations were proceeded with hut on 20th .January the Minister of Foreign Affairs had occasion formally to raise the question of this concentration of armed forces in reply to proposals outlined by O’Malley for a revision of certain British treaty j rights. 'flic Minister of Foreign Affairs stated that the proposals envisaged were only a fragmentary revision of some of the treaty servitudes, affecting China and that while the Nationalist Government could not regard suc-h revision as satisfactory or adequate it nevertheless was prepared to consider and discuss the terms outlined as a basis of a comprehensive, reasoned settlement of the existing differences between National China and the British, provided inter alia that the discussion and negotiations took place in an atmosphere free from intimidation necessarily, involved in the present concentration bv the British of fighting forces, hut continued that the concentration of forces referred to as the Chinese Expeditionary Force, as well as certain military information relating to the British plan was operations in China which has now come to the knowledge of the Nationalist Government, make it impossible for the Nationalist Government to view the British concentration at Shanghai as an act of coercion directed against Chinese Nationalism.” Chen added: “To sign any agreement under these circumstances would he tantamount to signing under duress and force. No agreement so signed could be real and effective. The Nationist Government must perforce await the ending of this period of duress before authorising the signing of an agreement which will settle the status of the portion of Chinese territory known as the British concession at Hankow. This period could be ended immediately or any time by the British Government re-envisaging . the effect on the Nationalist mind of the present concentration of their military and naval forces at Shanghai.”