CHINESE TROUBLE

Hokitika Guardian, 30 March 1927, Page 3

CHINESE TROUBLE

[r.Y TELEGRAPH —PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.] MR. COO RIDGE'S STATEMENT. WASHINGTON, March 2!) Following the publicaTion of Air Alao Marray’s report, Air Coolidgc announced ho considered the American forces now in China and en route, adequate to protect American lives and property, hut ho would he guided by the judgment of Admiral Williams, and was prepared to send additional forces should Williams consider it necessary. Air Coolidgc added that he wanted it understood that American officers would retain control of United States forces in China. United Slates con- ... . temphiTed no unified command of foreign affairs in Shanghai. Afr Coolidgc explained that this did not preclude co-operation between American and other foreign, commanders now in effect. Such a co-opera-tion was essential to the protection of Americans, because Americans were scattered over the international .settlemerit which is now guarded hv combined foreign forces. Air Coolidgc defined American ships at Shanghai as a police force for emergency against rioting liy native soldiers and civilians, rather than to withstand a recognised military attack, which was not expected, and it was erroneous to refer American troops at Shanghai as an expeditionary force or as purposing to wage war on anyone. OFFICIAL REPORTS. (Received this day at 12.2 A p.m.) LONDON, Ainreh 2D. Reports received at Downing Street dearly prove the Nanking outrages were the work of uniformed members of the Cantonese Army, acting on a pre-arranged plan, though the Cantonese commanders quickly cheeked the disorder by warning looters they would he executed. This command was not, given until the coinmemement of the Anglo-American naval barrage. Official circles emphatically deny the reports that naval filing caused widespread damage and killed hundreds of Chinese men, women and children. They point out the firing was most carefully directed to open spaces around the city, the damage and casualties therefrom was quite small, hut the barrage was imperative for the purpose of keening off Cantonese assaults till foreigners were rescued, official circles take a hopeful view of the situation based on the following reasons:—Cantonese extremists are on the horns of a dilemma and realise the Nanking outrages have consolidated as nothing else could, ah foreign communities, who will ultimately negotiate in reference to Shanghai Settlement. Cantonese will therefor he unable in this instance to play ofF Americans and Japanese against I»litis; 1 1 . A eompi’ete international co-oper-ation such as Britain has sought from the beginning lias not been totally at- , tained. but Nanking has produced a solidarity against the Cantonese. On the contrary Cantonese extremists, if they behave decently, will enable I lie moderates to obtain an advantageous agreement similar to Hankow. They recognise the moderates within a few months will become tbe dominant party and quickly shed the extremists and Russian advisers. Meantime the local' Consuls have advised the evacuation of all Britishers ironi Aangtsre Valley, including Changshau, Chungking and Ichang. U.S. CONSUL'S REPORT. ■WASHINGTON. ALircl. 29. The American Minister (Afr Afacin Pekin, informed the Stale Upartmont that an examination of the disnosilions and verbal statements made by reliable Americans in Nanking shows that the outrages committed by Nationalist soldiers in Nanking were even more riotous than at first realised.. There were two known eases of attempted, but unsuccessful criminal assault oil women, and there were several other eases onlv slightly less serious in character. The report declares the campaign of terrorism and insult to foreigners was not only officially countenanced and directed, but was even pre-arranged. The Nanking incident could hardly have been more outrageous and the worst aspects would have been greatly multiplied but for the timely bombardment. Ihe reports suggest the immediate withdrawal of all Americans in. Nationalist territory, and the undertaking of “some action sufficiently strong to defer perpetration of similar incidents elsewhere.”