HANDLING CHINA

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 15, 8 April 1927, Page 13

HANDLING CHINA

“MOST LIBERAL POLICY” BRITAIN NOT WARLIKE CHAMBERLAIN’S DEFENCE By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright (British Official 'Wireless .> RUGBY, Thursday. In his review In the House of Commons of the situation in China. Sir Austen Chamberlain said that Britain had no interest in China except for British people to live on terms of peace and friendship with the Chinese people. The latter had no other interest than to live on terms of peace and friendliness with the British. The Foreign Secretary said he was sure the Chinese would be glad to do this if they were allowed to. But, in the face of a Government which either could not control, or would not control, its troops and which could not protect the foreigners within its gates or would not protect them, Great Britain must take such precautions as she could for the protection of her own people who were pursuing their lawful vocation. This was the primary duty which the Government must discharge, and to enable it to do so it had been thought necessary to send out further reinforcements. FRIENDLY SPIRIT . “Why should we be suspected of taking a lead in anything of a military character?” asked the Minister. “We have taken a lead in efforts to negotiate, and in the most liberal policy ever proposed. “We have earnestly sought to settle this difficult question in a friendly spirit and to recognise all that is legitimate in Chinese national aspirations, also to allow an opportunity of forming the foundations of peaceful relations with the Chinese people. “But how can we negotiate with the Cantonese Government in the face of the outrages at Nanking, in the face of that Government’s failure to give protection at Hankow, in the face of its failure to give protection at any one of the other places I have named, or to do anything to prevent anti-foreign propaganda and to prevent the cry of ‘Kill the Christians and the foreigners.’ NO FURTHER RISKS “We must have existing in China an authority which will not only undertake to protect lives, but will be in a position to do so and will exercise that power, before we can run anj r further risks with the lives and interests of British subjects,” continued Sir Austen. “Nevertheless, our policy remains the same. We recognise that the old treaties are out of date, and we must move forward with the new machine, but the Chinese must move too, and concurrently with us. “Before we can carry this policy any further we must know what is to be the attitude of the responsible Chinese authorities as regards the outrages committed at Nanking.” Sir Austen added that he thought it might be a day or two before the demands of thfe Powers would be presented to the Nationalists. HEAVY FIGHTING WAR IN FULL BLAST NORTH AND SOUTH By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright SHANGHAI, Thursday. The latest reports from Nanking say very heavy fighting is reported by the British light cruiser Emerald to be in progress between the Northern and Southern armies at Kwantien, in the Anhwei province. The Chinese authorities at ITankow have issued a proclamation ordering complete immunity from molestation to be given to foreigners. It is ofiicially stated that the Japanese casualties as a result of Sunday’s riots were five killed and ten missing. Japanese naval reinforcements have arrived at Hankow. AN ADVENTURE OFF ENGLISHMEN FOR CHANG FOREIGN OFFICE SAYS “NO” By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright LONDON, Thursday. Captain F. V. C. Livingstone-Lear-mouth, a descendant of David Livingstone, desired to take a small party of “gentlemen adventurers” to China" for the purpose of fighting under Marshal Chang Tso-lin in his anti-Red campaign. However, the Foreign Office endorsed his passport: “Not valid.for China.” This abruptly ended the proposed adventure. AboutHS or 16 former officers had already joined the party. A cablegram had been sent to Chang offering the services of the officers, but the Passport Office demanded Captain Livingstone-Learmouth’s passport and sent it to the Foreign Office, which endorsed it as invalid. It intimated that passports to China were only being issued in special circumstances. —A. and N.Z.