CABINET MEETINGS.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 42, 19 February 1927, Page 9

CABINET MEETINGS.

Signing of Agreement Authorised. HANKOW SETTLEMENT. LOXDON, February 18. Cabinet lias sent Sir Miles-Lampson instructions for communication to Mr. O. St. C. O'Malley laying down the lines on which negotiations with Mr. Chen can be continued. It is pointed out that Sir Austen Chamberlain announced last week his readiness to authorise the signing of an agreement. It is, therefore, hoped since Mr. Chen was also agreeable to sign, that all obstacles would be eliminated. If an agreement is signed it may be the beginning of a general settlement. The Australian Press learns that the . new instructions sent to Sir Miles-Lamp--1 son are a recommendation to complete the Hankow agreement, suggesting that Mr. Chen leave aside- the larger matters, such as the British recognition of the j Cantonese Government till subsequent events show whether he is entitled to such status. The present official idea is to concentrate on an agreement on the small, concrete Hankow problem in the hope that this will lead to the settlement of larger questions later. Alarm Discounted. Cabinet held a further special meeting to discuss China to-day and members are holding themselves in readiness for meetings during the week-end. Nevertheless, official circles do not countenance the suggestion that frequent meetings indicate any alarm for the Britishers at Shanghai in view of the rapid development of the military situation. It is admitted that the advance of the Cantonese forces until Shanghai falls into their hands cannot exactly be welcomed, seeing that bitter anti-British sentiment, thanks to Russian "golden" propaganda, is stronger in Cantonese than in any other Chinese circles. At the same time it is recognised that it would neither accord with Mr. Chen's past conduct nor with his interest in not antagonising other foreign Powers to allow the anti-foreign sentiments to get out of hand. ® . It is pointed out as a remarkable fact that during the whole period since the evacuation of Hankow there has not been a single Case of outrage, robbery or i violence of any kind against a Britisher j anywhere in China, hence at present,! while there is the satisfaction that our troops are nearing Shanghai in readiness for eventualities, there is no suggestion that the present situation demands the dispatch of further forces. Half-Hearted Scrapping. Experience of Chinese civil Wars in the [ past few years has shown that 'cities j ™ ve often fallen and been retaken I without harming or even seriously inconveniencing foreign residents. Fighting in China is quite unlike th« Great War battles. It is seldom there are serious, bloody encounters. One or ®^ er force generally crumples up after the most half-hearted sort of scrap. For these reasons well-informed circles a.re not alarmed. They are convinced that Mr. Chen's forces are not foolish enough to enter the international settlements at Shanghai where French, Japanese and Americans, without much publicity, are assembling forces to assist in defence alongside the British. * The report that Mr. O'Malley has ' up his quarters on the warship Bee at Hankow, does not imply that there have been further disturbances. This move was only made for comfort.