Powers Concerned

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1047, 11 August 1930, Page 9

Powers Concerned

GRAVE POSITION IN CHINA

Protection of Nationals

NANKING SUFFERS SEVERE SETBACK

FOUR o:E the major Powers are so concerned with the safety of their subjects in China that concerted naval protective measures are contemplated. Britain, United States, Japan and France may send ships to assist where the Nanking Government fails to provide adequate protection. Communist raiders who were caught in the riot area were summarily executed.

United r.A.—By Telegraph—Copyright Reed. 10.40 a.m. LONDON, Sunday. The “Daily Telegraph’s” diplomatic editor says the British, American, Japanese, and French Governments at present are consulting with a view to taking concerted naval measures for the safety of their own nationals at Hankow and other ports on the Yangtse River, China, which are threatened by Communist forces. The action of the four Governments is inspired purely by humanitarian motives, and should in no way be construed as intervention in China’s domestic feuds. They will only operate where the Nanking Government is not able to protect foreign lives and property. The writer says it is most gratifying that the leading Treaty Powers have been able to agree promptly on a common plan of action. The agreement between, the four Governments follows upon fine co-operation on the part of the responsible representatives in China of the four Powers. The military prospects of Marshal

Chiang Kai-shek, President, and the Nanking Government, are not regarded as hopeful in view of the southern Communists’ advance down the river. Chiang’s chief difficulty is shortage of money. The Communist armies are really groups of bandits organised, armed, and financed by Russian agents. A message from Hong-Kong says following upon the Nanking Government’s instructions to the Kwangtung Provincial Government, the authorities at Canton are carrying out thorough searches in that city for Communists. Yesterday more than 100 Reds were tried and 14 were executed immediately afterward. Other executions are probable, indicating a firm desire to stamp out extremists. The Northern drive against the Nanking forces has been successful after a four days’ battle, according to an official Northern communique. Despite heavy rains the Northern troops occupied Kweiteh suburbs and the Lunghai railway, disarming the Nanking brigade and inflicting 1,500 casualties.