POLICY IN CHINA

Wairarapa Age, 9 February 1927, Page 5

POLICY IN CHINA

BRITAIN’S DEFENSIVE AIMS. AMERICA SATISFIED. POWERS COMING INTO LINE. LONDON, February 7. Cabinet to-day discussed the complicated many-sided Chinese problems, but the Australian Press Association learns that the Foreign Office is at present unable to throw a further light on the precise situation of the negotiations with Chen. Official circles whole-heart-edly welcome the United States’s suggestion for the neutrality zone at Shanghai. This is openly approved as a parollei policy to Britain’s, and evidence that America is satisfied with Britain’s purely defensive aims, despite her apparent isolation in the dispatch of a defensive force. The new American proposal, combined with the fact that America herself in accumulating forces and fast ships in the Philippines and at Guam, is accepted as evidence that the United States recognises the rightness of British policy in -continuing the negotiations with the Chinese Governments, but unswervingly adhering to her determination, to be ready, if necessary, to defend her nationals. Signor Mussolini’s declaration approving of Britain’s steps, adds force to the claim in official circles that the other Powers are steadily coming into line to pursue a similar policy to Britain, and it is noteworthy that only to-day the French Foreign Office semiofficially intimated its entire concurrence in the American neutral zone plan. The French view is that the suggestion comes most appropriately from the United States, because she does not possess a concession at Shanghai, and therefore stands in a position of greater detachment and impartiality than the European Powers.—(A. and N.Z.) CANTONESE CHECKED. IN MOVEMENT ON SHANGHAI. SHANGHAI, February 7. According to a reliable foreign report, the Sun Chuan-fang forces have captured Chuchow, the Southerners’ advance base. The defeated force is retiring towards the Kiangsi border. As it is well known that the Southerners lately have been, hampered through lack of finance and shortage of ammunition and difficulties of transportation—and there appears little reason to doubt this report—this, if it is true removes, at least for the present, danger of a Cantonese threat on Shanghai.—(A. and N.Z.) POSITION AT HANKOW. HANKOW, February 7. The situation is quiet. The streets are placarded with posters: “Shanghai captured by Cantonese.” It is reported that hundreds of Nationalist agents have been sent to Shanghai with the object of stirring up the workers.—(A. and N.Z,) ICHANG CUSTOMS SEIZED. PEKIN, February 7. A naval wireless message states that at Ichang Chinese soldiers seized the Customs House and the residences which, the Customs officers were occupying.—(A. and N.Z.) NOT FAVOURED. PROPOSED NEUTRAL ZONE AT SHANGHAI. (Received Tuesday, 7.35 p.m.) WASHINGTON, February 7. According to an intimation in official circles the United States’s neutralisation proposal for Shanghai appears to have excited little interest in China. The indications are that it is not acceptable to the North or South. It is understood also that Mr. Kellogg’s plan has not impressed Britain as one strong enough to deal with the Chinese problem. Reports indicate the temper of the Chinese people against such a move, they being suspicious that neutralisation would lead only to a lessening of the Chinese sovereignty, and in the end would widen the sphere of foreign control. The Chinese situation is reported to be giving President Coolidge greater concern than any other foreign question still looming acutely and menacingly on the horizon. —(A. and N.Z.) VARIOUS OPINIONS. CHEN APPORTIONS BLAME. (Received Tuesday, 7 p.m.fy PEKIN, February 7. The report of Eugene Chen to the American Muster regarding the neutrality proposal says that if Sun Chuasfang and the British authorities ill Shanghai had not made such military preparations against the Chinese masses as if facing a formidable foe, Shanghai would naturally be freed from the ravages of fighting between the two warring Chinese factions, nor would the Chinese masses be provoked. Therefore, should a disturbance occur in Shanghai, the fault will lie entirely with both the Chinese and British authorities there. Only yesterday Chen said that the Cantonese have never had an intention of entering Shanghai. Chang Tso-liri is likewise not disposed to neutralise the Settlement. Sun Chuan-fang is at present controlling Shanghai, holding back the Cantonese successfully. He favours Neutralising, but has not been consulted' and his eclipse is considered eventually certain. —(A. and N.Z.)