A DEEP GAME

Wairarapa Age, 19 February 1927, Page 5

A DEEP GAME

CHEN TRYING TO BLACKMAIL BRITAIN. REDS SWEEPING ONWARD TO SHANGHAI. THE NATIONALIST DEMANDS. (Received Friday 7.10 p.m.) LONDON, February 18. The conviction is growing in London, says the “Daily Telegraph’s” diplomatic correspondent, that whether independently or under Bolshevist pressure, Chen is playing a deep game. With Sun Chuan-fang in full retreat and the Cantonese Army nearing Shanghai, Chen evidently thinks the time has arrived to blackmail the British Government into fresh concessions.

Hence ho is seeking to extract from the British Government:—

(1) De Jure recognition of the Cantonese as the Government of China.

(2) An explicit pledge that no further British troops shall be landed at Shanghai in addition to the brigade and details already embarked.

It is extremely unlikely that the British Government will take the risks involved. in the second demand. The correspondent adds that numerous ships, many of them German, are busy loading arms and munitions in Odessa for delivery in China. — (A. and N.Z.)

A LIGHTNING ADVANCE.

CAPTURE OF HANGCHOW.

MORE ABOUT HANKOW NEGOTIATIONS.

(Received Friday. 10.55 p.m.) PEKIN, February 18.

The Cantonese surrounded Hangchow with lightning rapidity, compelling the anti-Reds to retreat to a second line of defence, thirty miles nearer Shanghai, where it is hoped they will hold up the advance pending the arrival of the Shantung forces, which it is reported have been asked to assist to stem the Reds' advance on Shanghai.

Another battalion of Punjabis from India has arrived with hospital and artillery sections and hundreds of pack mules. The Suffolks, due shortly from Hongkong, will complete the presfnt quota. The Nationalist news agency at Hankow says it is authoritatively denied that the O’Malley-Chen negotiations have broken down, Chen saying he is ready now to sign an agreement regarding the British Concession at Hankow. The agency adds that it is understood the Nationalist Government views the recent declaration of Sir Austen Chamberlain regarding the deflection of British troops to Hongkong as a basis whereupon the Nationalists may proceed with the conclusion of the Hankow agreement.—(A. and N.Z.) GUARDING BRITISH LIVES. A POLICY OF FORESIGHT. (Received Friday, 10.55 p.m.) LONDON, February 17. The Cantonese, aided by Russian machine gun instructors and advisers, had heavily defeated the Northerners, said the Secretary for the Dominions (Mr. Amery) speaking at Hackney. The defeated rabble and elated victors might soon be pouring towards the centres which British enterprise had built up, resulting in the possibility of looting, plundering and massacre in Shanghai if the Government, seeing the danger had not sent troops to protect British life and property. He added that it was not the Government, but a Labour clique sending telegrams as though they were in charge of the Foreign Office which had interfered in Chinese affairs.—(A. and N.Z.)

AVAILABLE FORCES ADEQUATE.

BRITISH CABINET’S VIEW,

(Received This Dav, 1 a.m.) LONDON, February 18. The “Daily Mail’’ says that a Cabinet meeting decided that there shall be no startling change in Chinese policy even if the advance on Shanghai becomes more rapid. Ministers are satisfied that the available forces are adequate for British protection.—(A. and N.Z.)