STRICTLY NEUTRAL

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 33, 2 May 1927, Page 9

STRICTLY NEUTRAL

GERMANY AND CHINA A POLICY OF PEACE STRESEMANN’S COUNSEL By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright BERLIN, Friday. The German Foreign Minister, Herr Stresemann, stated in an interview that Germany hoped to facilitate a settlement of the difficulties in China by observing meticulous neutrality. The perplexities which had arisen from the common desire of all the Chinese groups for emancipation from the unequal treaties did not affect Germany, which had already cancelled her treaty, and all the Powers appeared to be willing to meet China’s legitimate and rational demands. The policy of Germany therefore in no way conflicted with that of the Powers. This was not the first time in recent history that a nation of intelligent and industrious people had freed itself from the dormant centur-ies-old state in which China found itself and had begun to organise its life on a modern pattern. It had always proved disastrous when economically advanced nations had attempted to exploit and foment turmoil in other countries during their transition periods for their own political ends. Such rivalries usually caused international complications and these often became a source of warlike conflagrations. 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 which would be equitable to all parties. The vast majority of the people of Germany approved a policy of the strictest neutrality. This was instanced by German merchants and shippers who had voluntarily decided not to transport arms to China. Germany was ready to support efforts in China and elsewhere which were aimed at a peaceful consolidation of the economic and the political situation.—A. and N.Z.