The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 12th. 1927. THE CHINESE SITUATION.

Hokitika Guardian, 12 February 1927, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 12th. 1927. THE CHINESE SITUATION.

The speeches in Parliament at Home, following the opening of what promises to he a very interesting session, made the position of Great Britain, in regard to the Chinese dispute, much clearer. The criticism of Air Ramsay McDonald was in itself very mild. The illuminating address of the Prime Minister was altogether definite and left no doubt as to the general situation. It is good to have .Mr Lloyd George’s clear endorsement of Air Baldwin’s speech and the British attiture. The general position has lieen clarified further by the statement in the House of Lords by Lord Balfour. Alucli more will he said on the subject in. Parliament and out of it. but enough has lveen said for the average reader to obtain a very clear insight as to where Great Britain stands, and the 'circumstances under which the present policy is being developed. In his statement in the Commons, ATr Baldwin, speaking of the State of affairs in Chinn said. There were appearances in China to-day reminiscent

of those preceding the Boxer troubles. 'll: 1 danger was not onlv trom the .Shanghai mob. II bloodshed bad begun at Hankow it might have resulted in Chinese troops lighting I lie 1110 b, and might easily have been a massacre. Mr Baldwin added: ‘‘We have sent the forces advised as necessary to defend our people in the international concession, if a combi nation should arise of a real struggle to capture the concessions and murder inhabitants on the part of the mob. together with troops from either a beaten or victorious army coming from Shanghai. Our forces have been sent to the Far East to safeguard British lives in China, particularly in Shanghai. That was. and is the Govcrnineiit-’s only policy. The question of the time and manner the troops should he landed at Shanghai, must depend on advice from our representatives on the spot. If they consider the emergency requires immediate disembarkation at Shanghai. we shall act accordingly. If not, the leading brigade will he bold in readiness at llong Kong, while the rest of the force is approaching. There can he no question of entering into an agreement with Mr Chen or anyone else in connection with the movement of troops dispatched solely with the object of protecting British lives. We could not shorten the internal Chinese struggle liv entering it ourselves. AVe must be ready for the day when there will 'he a united Government in China, bv making the most egnorous advances simultaneously to both parties, and by discussing what they could do to come tojTptlier 11 order, when the internal struggles are ended to be able to enter into new friendly and propitious relations i*ilb that great country.” This concise ic view of the position confirms ill Hint was said by Sir Austen Chamberlain, the British Foreign Minister. and leaves no possible doubt, as to tlie* trend o the British policy in Chinn at this very critical juncture. At the same time it is very pleasing to learn that the negotiations with Mr Chen are proceeding more hopefully. If the same advance can he made with the Pekin authorities the air will lie greatly cleared. There is no doubt that ultimately China has a great deal to gain by a friendly arrangement with Britain, as Britain with such large interests in China, has much to gain by maintaining the l ight of peaceful penetration on equitable grounds. The Chinese cannot lie blind to these advantages. Indeed, the fact that nothing ims been done to provoke the hostilities suggests that the Chinese realise die true import of the situation, and rood terms with Great Britain mean nnterinl prosperity to China. The logotintions continue and the debate, is far as it has gone in the Commons hould ho helpful in consummating the ituation satisfactorily. Nothing unownrd is being said by the responsible . if blisters, and if the Labour members re advised they will not be extrava- | ;ant in their language, thereby givng a false iinnrossion as to any serious ivision of opinion in England on the 1 tain issue. The matter appears to Ik* ! orking out on favorable lines, and in j uch a. way as to ensure peace with ; onor and added prestige to Britain, a 1 esnlt which will ho of very great value 1 :> British interests in China. 7