CHINESE TROUBLE.

Hokitika Guardian, 2 May 1927, Page 2

CHINESE TROUBLE.

EY TELEGRAPH —PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

HEAVY FIGHTING. SHANGHAI. April 29.

Heavy fighting is reported in the region of Kiukiang, Communsts making a desperate stand to stem C’hiang Kai-Shek’s advance on Hankow.

CHINA’S TRANSITION. BERLIN, April 20.

The German Foreign Minister, Herr Stresmann, interviewed, said that Gcimany hoped to facilitate a settlement of the difficulties in China Tiy observing meticulous neutrality. The peip’.exities arising from the common desire of the Chinese Groups for the emancipation of China from the unequal treaties did not affect Germany, who had already cancelled her unequal treaties with China. All the Powers appeared willing to meet China’s legitimate national demands. The German policy, therefore, in no way conflicted with that of the Powers. This was not the first time in recent history that an intelligent, industrious people had freed itself from such as China’s dormant, ceuturies-old state, and had begun organising its life on the modern pattern. It had always proved disastrous, lie said, when economically advanced nations attempted to exploit and ferment a turmoil during such transition periods for their own political aims. Such rivalries usually caused international complications, which often became Hie course of warlike conflagration*. It ought, to be possible for mankind to learn from experience, and to assure the statesmanlike caution which the Powers interested were now showing in China, in order to produce a compromise equitable to all parties. The vast' majoi ity of the German people, be said, approved of a policy of the strictest neutrality, "as was instanced by the German merchants’ and shippers’ voluntary decision not to transport arms to China. Germany was ready support all efforts ill China and elsewhere that were aimed at a peaceful consolidation of the economic and political situation.