POSITION IN CHINA.

Southland Times, Issue 20081, 19 January 1927, Page 5

POSITION IN CHINA.

British Attitude.

CABINET DELIBERATIONS

Chen Spent Force.

NO SURRENDER. TO VIOLENCE

(By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright.)

The British Cabinet has devoted several hours to a discussion of the Chinese situation, and press comments on the result of the deliberations hint at a stiffening of attitude for the future, it being even suggested that Hankow may be retaken. It is said that Chen is a spent force, and that foreigners will have to depend on their own efforts for protection.

HANKOW MAY BE RETAKEN

CABINET DISCUSSES SITUATION

(Rec. 7.30 pjn.) London, January 17. The outcome of a prolonged Cabinet discussion of the situation may be summed up in the preparedness of the Government to negotiate with the Chinese to any reasonable extent, and on a liberal basis, but the Government is not prepared to surrender to violence. A detailed statement of the position will be issued to-morrow. Hie Daily Express’ diplomatic correspondent says:—“ln other words, the Government is not going to climb down any further. A firm stand will be made against extremists. It is contended that Shanghai must be protected at all costs. The projected naval movements were approved, and a naval demonstration in force in Chinese waters is under consideration.” The Daily Herald’s diplomatic correspondent refers to the situation as “very grave, and no eventuality can be ruled out.” Even the possibility of attempting to recapture the Hankow concessions by force of arms is not entirely excluded.—A. and N2.

CHEN A SPENT FORCE

UNABLE TO PROTECT FOREIGNERS.

(Rec. 7.35 pan.) London, January 17. The Ministers sat for two and a half hours discussing China. High officials of the Foreign and War Offices, and Admiralty were in attendance. Reports from Mr Lampson and Sir Edward O’Malley were considered. The Daily Telegraph’s diplomatic correspondent says: “Evidently no suitable basis of negotiations ha’ been hitherto discovered. The truth is that Chen's assurances concerning his ability to protect foreign life and property have been proved the merest illusions, and the use of negotiating with so unreliable a person is highly dubious.” The correspondent hints that the factor most likely to impress Chen is vigorous action by the British Navy. Finally it is suggested that the question for Cabinet today is that of- increasing the defence force or throwing the entire responsibility of the protection of the concessions upon the Chinese.—A. and N.Z.

BRITISH NATIONALS.

ADEQUATE PRECAUTIONS FOR PROTECTION.

London, January 17. “The Government is taking every precaution to protect Britons in China,” said Sir Austen Chamberlain when reporting the situation in Shanghai and Hankow to a special meeting of Cabinet which was attended by Sir L. Worthington-Evans, Secretary of State for War, who was recalled from the Riviera and interviewed; General Sir George Milne, and the Hon. W. C. Bridgeman. First Lord of the Admiralty, on his way to London in connection with Fleet movements. Members of the Cabinet who are on holiday are returning to London this week.—A. and N.Z.

BOLSHEVIK INFLUENCE

BEHIND CANTONESE PROPAGANDA.

Shanghai, January 17. The White Russian paper Russia pubIrahes an interesting story relative to the widespread activities of the Cantonese propagandists under Bolshevik control. Recently General Yangcho, the well known Chinese administrator of the Chinese Eastern Railway, was seized by orders of Chang-Tso-lin on charges of Bolshevik leaning and was summarily executed. A search of the deceased’s premises revealed thousands of Soviet rifles and adequate ammunition, pistols and hand grenades in preparation for a coup d’etat. The searchers also found correspondence with Chiang Kia-shek, Borodin and other southern Red leaders. The story goes that the coup was planned for January 15, but the summary removal of the chief mover brought the plot to nought. Chang Tso-lin is unlikely to handle the revolutionaries in any gentle manner in view of the continual efforts of Russian

Bolsheviks to deprive him of Chinese interest in the most important railway in China. The whole story is indicative of the far-reaching schemes of the Cantonese Bolshevik advisers and the lengths to which they are prepared to go.—A. and N.Z. BRITAIN SHOULD BE SUPPORTED.

FRENCH PAPERS VIEW

(Rec. 8.5 p.m.) Paris, January 17. “Pertinax,” in the Echo de Paris, criticises the Government’s inactivity in regard to China. He says: “It is not desirable to wait till the last minute to choose a well-defined policy, leaving the British to assume the odium of work which will profit all.”—A. and N.Z.

BELGIAN TREATY

Pekin, January 18. Wellington Koo and the Belgian Minister, accompanied by experts and secretaries, met at the Foreign Office to inaugurate negotiations for a new Chino-Belgian Treaty. The Belgian Minister announced that he was prepared to return to China all the rights conferred to Belgium under the Convention of 1902 in the Belgian Concession at Tientsin, reserving only private property rights, in order to show Belgian sincerity and goodwill to China. Wellington Koo thanked Belgium for voluntarily renouncing her claim and stated that a commission of experts would be appointed at the earliest to arrange to take over control.—A. and N.Z.

TREATY CONCLUDED.

(Rec. 7.55 p.m.) Brussels, January 17. Advices from Pekin state that the Belgian Minister addressed a Note to the Chinese Foreign Office regarding the conclusion of the new Chino-Belgian Treaty, and the suspension of the proceedings instituted by Belgium before the Court of International Justice with reference to China’s renunciation of the Treaty of 1865. It appears that Wellington Koo, Foreign Minister at Pekin, recently proposed to Belgium a renewal of negotiations for the conclusion of a commercial treaty to replace the treaty of 1865, and the Belgian Minister in Pekin was instructed to reply favourably thereto. Belgium meanwhile reserves the right to take the case before the Hague Court if negotiations fail.—A. and N.Z.

APANESE ATHTUDJ

WILL PROTECT LEGAL INTERESTS.

Tokio, January 17,

“While sympathising with the legitimate aspirations of the Chinese, Japan is ready to defend her legal interest in every way,” declared the Premier at a meeting of Kenseikai leaders, “because it is consistent with the policy of friendliness towards the welfare of 400,000,000 neighbours. Japan is now recognised by both China and the Powers as holding a position where she is able to reconcile American and European policies towards China with Chinese desires. Japan is ready to assume this duty.” Baron Takana, leader of the main opposition, addressing the Seiyukai, agreed that Japan was the responsible leader in the Orient, but had been neglectful of her plain duty to face the situation everyone had seen developing in the past two years. The

Government’s policy of non-intervention was simply the result of unpreparedness to act. The time had arrived when Japan should act independently, assuming the leadership in China which was properly hers.—A. and N.Z.

TRAMWAY STRIKE.

BREAKS OUT IN SHANGHAI.

(Rec. 1.25 a.m.) Pekin, January 18. Despite a settlement of the tramway strike in Shanghai last week, the strike has again broken out, completely disrupting the service. The strikers are comparatively well behaved, only that three tramcars were attacked and broken up to-day, necessitating the dispersal of crowds by the police.—A. and N.Z.