FIRST FRUITS.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 44, 22 February 1927, Page 9

FIRST FRUITS.

North Inclined to Follow Suit. PEACE MAY FOLLOW. ■—'— (Received 11.30 a.m.) LONDON, February 21. The Australian Press Association learns from authoritative quarters that the first fruits of the Hankow agreement have appeared in Northern and not in Southern China. i Britain throughout has treated both claimant Chinese Governments alike. All her offers to reorganise the basis of her relations with China were equally and simultaneously made both to Mr. Chen in the South, and Dr. Wellington Koo in the North. Therefore, throughout Mr. CMalley's negotiations with Mr. Eugene Chen, exactly similar offers were made to the Northern Government. Hitherto Dr. Wellington Koo has contented himself by objecting to our negotiations with Mr. Chen, but yesterday he summoned Sir Miles-Lampson, intimating that he was now ready to begin conversations on the basis of the British offer. These have at present not taken the form of the concrete negotiations regarding a specific concession such as Tientsin. It will be left to Dr. Wellington Koo to choose the subject for preliminary discussions. This development can properly be attributed to Dr. Wellington Koo's desire not to remain behind Mr. Chen in the • conclusion of a reformed Anglo-Chinese agreement in accordance with the Chinese people's legitimate demands to be masters of their own household and not to continue the special privileges for foreigners in their midst. - , Furthermore, it should be remembered | that the Hankow agreement does not j represent only a little local settlement. | Official circles point out that contact j will be retained with the Cantonese for the discussion of details arising from the Hankow agreement and do not conceal a genuine desire that it will show the way to a peaceful settlement of all Anglo-Chinese questions on a liberal basis with Mr. Chen and Dr. Koo, or , anyone else who may establish firm and authoritative government in China.