CHINESE TROUBLE.

Hokitika Guardian, 10 February 1927, Page 2

CHINESE TROUBLE.

[ey tf.lf.grarh—ekii press association-.]

PREAIIF.Ri BALDWIN’S DEFINITI ST AT EAIENT-.

LONDON. February 8

Hon R. MacDonald said regarding China, that the position could only be described as of grave importance. We have created a new situation by sending out a defence force of soldiers to act as policemen. It might and might not increase the security, of the British people in Shanghai. The first effect was to unite the Peking and Canton forces in a protest. The only way to diminish the risk of our nationals was to get such arrangements under consideration as to make an outbreak of violence impossible. He askid had Air Eugene Chen been approached regarding a guarantee of safety. The Government was playing with fire in sending troops, lie urged the House to do everything in its power to get negotiations resumed : then the forces could he diverted. The uiniifluential elements in China did not want a peaceful settlement. Their influence would be greater so long as our policy was in doubt. Nothing would complicate foreign relations more than a breach with Russia. Did Air Baldwin contemplate a change in the Russian policy ■ Personally, lie hoped to sec Great Britain ill closer touch. Mr Baldwin (Prime .Minister) replying said Air AlacDoimld wanted things in”the Speech filled with a mass of legislation" which would enable Mr MacDonald to unite the scattered fragments of the Labour Party. The Governments had only included Bills that could he passed before August, because the experiment of a late autumn session would he repeated. He announced there would be a debate oil China on Thursday. He doubted whether Ml’ AlacDoimld 'would have spoken as lie did if he had been the responsible head of the government. There were appearances in China to-dav reminiscent of those preceding the Boxer troubles. The danger was not only from the Shanghai mob. 11 bloodshed had begun nt Hankow it might have resulted in Chinese troops fighting the mob. and might easily have been a massacre. Air Baldwin added: ”A\c bavc sent the forces advised as necessary to defend our people m the international concession. II a condition should arise of a real struggle to capture the concessions and murder the inhabitants, or part of the mob. together with troops from either beaten or victorious armies coming into Shanghai, our forces have been sent to the Far East to safeguard British lives in. China, particularly in Shanghai. 1 hat was and is the Government’s only policy. The question of time and manner of troops being landed in Shanghai must I depend oil the advice from representatives on the spot. If they consider the emergency requires immediate disembarkation' at Shanghai, wc shall act accordingly. If not. the loading Brigade will he‘held in readiness at Hong lvoim. while the rest of the forces are approaching. There can be no question of entering into an agreement with Air Chen or anyone else in connection with the movement ol : the troops despatched solely with the object ot protecting British lives. (Cheers.) ue could not shorten the internal Chinese struggle by entering it ourselves. A\ e must he ready for the day when there will he a united government in China hv making the most generous advances simultaneously to both parties, and by discussing what they could do to come together in order when -the internal struggles arc ended we will be able to outer into new friendly propitious relations with that groat country. (Cheers.) The Prince of "Wales occupied his usual seat over the clock during the speeches by -Mr -MacDonald and Premier Baldwin. '

1 AII’ORTANT. DEVELOPMENT

SHANGHAI, Fell. 8

The negotiations between Air Chen (Canton Foreign Al mister) and the British envoy, Mr O'Malley, have been resumed. It is understood that an agreement has virtually reached, hut that the Canton Nationalist Government is still awaiting the British Government’s decisuu regarding the question of the concentration of troops at Shanghai.

The suggestion is now advanced by Air Chen that tlu> troops from England should disembark at Singapore.

IN RIGHT MIND. PEKIN, Feb. 8

In a long statement of his policy, Chang Tso Lin-says his present operations arc directed solely against Bolshevism. He is ready to negotiate with anyone except Bolsheviks. His policy aims at the preservation of national sovereign rights alnd administrative reforms..

AIORE DESTROYERS LEAVE, LONDON, Feb. 9.. The English destroyer flotilla has left, for China.

UNITED STATES’ ATTITUDE. NEW YORK, Feb. 9

The New York Times Washington correspondent says: “Chang Tso Lin’s statement pledging protection for all foreigners under the jurisdiction of the Peking Government,' in return for an acknowledgement by the Powers of China’s sovereign rights, is considered here to he in line with Mr Kell ig’s offer to negotiate for a revision of the customs and extra territorial treaties, but the officials here decline to discuss the matter, since they are not yet convinced that one side or the other is assured of the control of China as a whole.

Confidential reports indicate that General Feng Yuli Sinng is taking the offensive against the Northern forces on the boundary of the Honan and Shansi provinces, northwest of Hankow. If this is successful, it might force the fall of Shanghai and Nanking, thus radically changing the situation as it concerns the military control of the whole of China.

THE -MIKADO’S FUNERAL. TOKYO, Feb. 8

Nearly a thousand were injured among the crowd at the Emperor’s funeral, which the police estimate numbered one and a half million. A great number were sent to the hospital suffering from exposure. Field Marshal {fount Oku (famous in the Russo-Japanese war) aged 82, and Admiral Togo attended the ceremonial hall and they are reported ill.