SENSATION IN CHINA.

Wairarapa Age, 10 March 1927, Page 5

SENSATION IN CHINA.

BOLSHEVIKS ARRESTED.

BY ANTI-BED COMMANDER. INCRIMINATING BAGGAGE. PEKIN, March 8. A sensation has been caused by the news of the arrest and. removal to Tsianfu of Madame Borodin, three Soviet envpys, and six Russian sailors by orders of Chang Chung-chang, commander of the anti-Red forces. The party’s steamer was detained at Nanking, en route for Hankow, as the result of her flying the Soviet flag. She was boarded and inspected by Customs officers. The passengers were examined, but refused to open their baggage, declaring that they were Soviet officials. As a result the military were informed, and forced the baggage. This revealed several trucks of propaganda printed in Chinese and Russian.

Madame gave the name of Grozberg, and_ said she had private business at Hankow. The envoys described themselves as couriers of the Soviet Government engaged in diplomatic duties. Madame’s trunks revealed details of the distribution of anti-Red troops in the Kiangsu Province.

The ship was seized, the Red flag hauled down, and the Chinese naval flag hoisted. A strong protest was made by the Soviet Embassy at Pekin,

and the immediate release demanded of the ship and the passengers.—(A. and N.Z.)

“ALL QUIET.” A FOREIGN OFFICE REPORT. LONDON, March 8. The Foreign Office reports all quiet in China, with no serious incidents anywhere. It is unable to confirm the reported reign, of terror at Ningpo, where it is alleged that, following antiforeign and anti-BritisE demonstrations, a Chinese mob attempted to capture British and American missionaries and nurses.

Official circles, though unable to confirm the report that Chang Tso-lin is making overtures to the Cantonese with a view to the suspension of hostilities, if the Cantonese abandon their Soviet advisors, show a willingness to join forces and discuss the rehabilitation of the new China, do not discount the report, pointing out that the chief feature of Chinese internal hostilities is the bargaining between contending generals. Incidentally, official circles are anxious to deny the suggestion that the British are in any way supporting Chang. It is emphasised that Britain is scrupulously neutral. Well-informed authorities point out that Chang is “one of the greatest scoundrels in China.” It is even admitted that the Cantonese capture of Shanghai, which is now regarded as inevitable, will in nowise prejudice British interest there any more than a capture by Chang, despite Cantonese anti-foreign and antiBritish sentiments.—(A. and N.Z.)

THE LABOUR ATTITUDE.

MR. RAMSAY MACDONALD EXPLAINS. LONDON, March 8. In the House of Commons, Captain King, introducing the supplementary vote of £950,000 for the Shanghai Defence Force, said that within four days of the calling-up notices the first transport was en route. Mr. J. R. Clynes (Labour) complained of a misrepresentation of Labour’s attitude to China. The Opposition’s view was that the Government’s choice was between a far-seeing statesmanship and a dangerous, futile use of soldiers. The Government had reached a stags where it wanted to show fight and negotiate at the same time. Labour was as concerned as anyone in the safety of British lives and property in China, but it believed that special expenditure in the early stage of negotiations were provocative and unnecessary and obstructed the prospects of settlement. He denied that Labour ever sought to enter into negotiations with the Chinese. Germany’s and Russia’s abandonment of territorial rights had not affected their trade, as some suggested. Our trade was on the decline in China, due to Russian agitation. It was much the worse, if our reputation could not withstand Russian propaganda. Labour would oppose the vote as unnecessarily provocative and -harmful.—(A. and N.Z.)

FURTHER DISORDERS.

A RAILWAYS HOLD-UP. (Received This Day, 1.16 a.m.) SHANGHAI, March 9. Labour agitators are doing their utmost to cause a railway strike. As a result of their violent methods, only two trains left for Nanking yesterday. Following on the defection of the Anwhei troops, the Southern forces are rapidly progressing in their advance upon Nanking. A party of Chinese soldiers at Wusung seized a British steamer and forced the captain to get under way. A British destroyer intercepted the vessel, put an armed guard aboard, and brought her to Hankow. The Chinese soldiers were landed under a naval escort and detained in the British concession.—(A. and N.Z.)