BRITAIN AND CHINA

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 18917, 4 February 1927, Page 11

BRITAIN AND CHINA

Failure of Negotiations. THE NATIONALIST VIEW. f jfilitary Concentration Resented. The report that negotiations between Mr O'Malley and j(r Chen had been broken off is confirmed. Mr Chen, in a gttttflwnt, gives the reason as the concentration of British (pop tt Shanghai, and alleges that the Canton Government In been apprised of a definite British plan of campaign. He jsfc that if these forces are withdrawn he will place no afcjtctin the way of an agreement. The British Foreign v <ofle# denies any intention of engaging in hostilities with ({titer of tho Chinese Governments.

; IjffiASONS FOR BREAK. SHIPMENT BY MR CHEN. IfiANCHAI CONCENTRATION RESENTED. .' mf""" ** D *'*' CktLt '"ocunox.) ,#, ; SHANGHAI, February 2. t. jjhjjeienij Chen's statement to Mr | n ; ia breaking off negotiations "iSlace tho negotiations refuture status of the Brir lws*****^ ft ** Manlcow De S an on a singular concentration I forces has been proV ißl** Shanghai, with tho alleged "SIP* I protection of British lives v J|HpaJig«rtd by the forelblo occu- «| **>° international settlement < .mShiL Bat it is significant that >H|L JaptacM and Americans ''' vital interests in tho same .(i; JSpr have not found it necessary , /jJfKfU massing of armed forces U January 21st, tho ' i f itiPatiUt Government declared it was to have all questions reKsf JtPli *° lhe t?cat ? **< l otttM cognate fSIMm nettled by negotiations and oH#MMW« This by implication cover~)MoU, and was so intended to cover, the fc'jjotttlon of tha future status of the ,W hrtsrnaUoaal sttUtment at Shanghai, %'i which it was not, and navir has been, <ts within tho contemplation of toe Gov- )■{ erment to oeenpy by fone.„ IT "It was bslleved that,this might ? lead to the eenitloa, or, at least tho h> ttowtofdawu, of tk« ntitting of BriI «rt Ante* In China, and accordingly , tas Nationahjt Government decided to tsksnonotieft6f what.might appear to m mjitt only, a menacing, but provocaW Wnptratioft- by tot British, and v k attaUatlon* were proe««ded with. But ilWb, tie Minister for » Jmii occasion to raiso QHHilto of this conccn--0 tint proposals outlined ftot m revision of cer|ii> tights, tho Minister Unstated that the pro-tF-foly a fragmentary &• <if the treaty scrvV China, and that wbii* i, Government could not ertoon as satisfactory itrwlheless was preitt and discuss the as a basis of a comprei«4 s«ttl<n«nt of the mceii between National British, provided,* inter .discussion and negotiai Ia an atmosphere free idalion necessarily initMint concentration by Ightlttg forces. itilltted concentration of ted to as a Chinese ex:ce, as well as certain latlon relating to the war operations in China, come to the knowledge Ist Government make it the Nationalist Governat British concentration cent as on act of coerjalnst Chineso Nationalt agreement under these rould be tantamount to Hums and force, and. m signed could be real The Nationalist Governforce, await tho ending i.SPIW'W H duress before author'•{WfelM WW ot an »B* cenient k» the status of the por- {• (HiOCM territory known as the r/'fliWa Cottcesilon at Hankow. This If &\tem <tt«l4 b« ended immediately, or [hv Jfc.ib, b> tho British Government Etlnmm A* e«f«ct on the NationM the present concentra£'?P!¥ tt«l* TOtUtary and naval forces £ !f *^*»nai." !iHBH|?riSH MEMORANDUM. f-.:" h 'iJ ■ FULL TEXT ISSUED. Ws|iuur m> *.t. cajw association.! flfehfW Bsbruary 3rd, 8.50 p.m.) * : - •-■ '. iOKDON, february 2. 3k i Wf«wign Offico has issued the full W*j*M BHUin'a terms to the North f|*;2J***adCantonese Governments. In to the proposals mentioned Britain has indicated tha* *'HSW>«Wr«d to recogniso the valid*.iH.#»»nsonnble Chinese nationality ft£j*yud also to cept tho principle K&iSrJ. British missionaries should no f '»»m the ritfht to purchase ?MsEi §»* Chinese .-onverts ahouW protection to Chinese l»w, ffittSM *• tr«nti«s. and that mission--gaSij'idwational, and medical institu:Ja@fiS dttuld conform to Chinese reguTO SUPPORT BRITAIN. sen a.z. cms associates.) rebrnaiy 3rd. 6.45 p.m.) ROME, February 2. BHMpINi, &**i opinion indicates that support Britith policy in

NECESSITY FOR TROOPS. BRITISH OFFICIAL STATEMENT. CANTONESE UNABLE TO KEEP ORDER. (ACSTKALTAW AJTD Jf.Z. CABX.C ASSOCIATION.) (Received Fobruary 3rd, 7.30 p.m.) LONDON, February 3. Official circles emphasise that there is not the least foundation for Mr Chen's accusation that the dispatch of British forces produced conditions under which he was asker" to negotiate "with a revolver at his head." Britain has not taken, and does not intend to take, any military steps whatever against either the Peking or tho Cantoneso Governments. It is recognisod that the Cantoneso Government does not contemplate any attempt to capture Shanghai by force, but in view of the events at Hankow and the looting of Kiukiaing, neither Britain nor anyone else can bo satisfied that the Cantonese arc capable of preventing disorders, even possible massacres, at Shanghai. "Wo could at Hankow give the Cantoneso a chanco of proving their ability to maintain order, bceauso in tho event of failure wo could rapidly evncuato tho city, but at Shanghai the position is quite different," says an official statement. "Eight thousand British people thero could not be safely removed from a population of 1,500,000 Chinese if the feeling against the British, oi which thero is already plenty of evidence, were fomented until great masses of Chinese ran amok. In view of these risks no British Government of whatever complexion dare risk being unready to defend its nationals lives. We are pledged to protect those lives and wo are determined to do so, whatever Mr Chon might do." Unofficial circles do not expect that Mr Chen will maintain his protest to tho extent of finally breaking down all negotiations. If he does, the only possible conclusion will be that ho is no longer a free agent, but the mcro pupnet of Moscow. . Cabinet again considered the China situation at a special meeting at the Foreign Office yesterday aftemoou.

LABOUR'S ATTITUDE. MESSAGE FROM MR CHEN. (A C,,T B .aU S -AW »•«. CASLn ABSOCUTION.) (Received February 3rd, 8.50 p.m.)

LONDON, February 'J. Mr Chen has cabled tho National joint Council in response to thoir tnttuge. cmphaaisinß _ that rhe Nationalist Governmcni/s desire for peaceful settlement of both the Han Lv Concession and the etherises He states: "In pursuing a policy ot diplomacy and peace, we rely ** » B «- is . Labour to assist in controlling the British Government's adventurous olenwits. and averting decisions tor action wlich will dig deep into tho >aJSahis' minds enduring resentment. ai ,d hostility towards Britain. "I sought to arrange a settlement at iunkSKUt from the «ner.: issue ni Chinese Nat onahsm and B rit « n .. l ? 1 . and P»P"Vh* Ctinese of the foreign seizure by the i; nine *" . OI t i,„_ nU obt settlement in no longer .to be any ««JW | D made forces is an expre«'«n of tho typo feared that the dM b, «?*"^?L B Bri£

'ory." [Orderin c that copies be cabled to Mr Eueene Chcu ancl to the Australian nnl New Zealand Labour Parties, the National Joint Labour Counc last week adopted a resolution declaring, "flie Labour movement deplores the flaunted military dcmonstrationagaiiirt the Canton Government, because w tnnv stir up panic and .aggression on both Ses. rendering inevitable the misfortunes it pretends to prevent and because it.is likely to thwart a Policy of negotiation and »*"<»«? «"!«*«« on a ba*is of the recognition of » Chinese National Government Butiw T-bonritea demand the oatwnt. and honest pursuit of peaceful negotintita"fried from armed menace for the ultimate abrogation of t/e« l «?..«J tho immediate winding up of denendine upon the existence « tnS*Z V"kL «.«nd Chinese workers mt sincere sympathy and s«v**** > £ th#ir attempt °to improve their «o tKc |2 «on ™& establish their can". ST among tha telf-governing nations.".!

CHANG'S ACTIVITIES. FIGHTING BOLSHEVISM. ARMS FROM VICKERS. (AUSTRALIA* i«JD S.t. IA»L« ASSOCIATION.) (Received February 3rd, 9.4-5 p.m.; LONDON, February 3. The Vickers Company is constructing 100 tanks of a new design for tho Japanese Government and the Northern Army in China. "It ia expected thai they will bo completed in a few weeks," says tho "Morning Poßt," which adds: "Tho Japanese Government has worked in close alliance during the last few years with Chang Tso Lin, head of tho Northern forces m China. The new tanks will even travel upside down, the crew being seated on swivel seats bo that they are not affected when tho tanks overturn." The British United Press has received tho following message from Chang Tso Lin:—"The object of tho present expedition is to combat and eliminate Bolshevism, which is harmful and dangerous to the world. I have been co-operating with Marshal Wu Pei-fu all along. Although he is unable to make headway afc Chonchow, our troops will continue to fight Bolshevism to tho end." NOT A BREAKDOWN. NEGOTIATIONS MERELY BROKEN OFF. (ABSTBALIAN ahd k.z. cabls association) (Received February 3rd, 11.55 p.m.) LONDON, February 2. It is untrue to say that the negotiations at Hankow have broken down. They are broken off, as tho agreement previously being discussed has taken a new turn. Mr Chen's protest against the dispatch of troops brings to the forefront the conversations with Mr O'Malley on the question of the defence of British Nationals in Shanghai. This is how official circles interpret Mr Chen's latest move. It is learned that there is not tho least likelihood of any modification of Britain's determination to defend her citizens in Shanghai. There cannot bo any question of stopi ping or turning back the military forces. Official circles do not expect that Mr Chen will maintain the protest.

THE KUOMINTANG. SOVIET INFLUENCE WANING. (Received February 3rd, 10.50 p.m.) PARIS, U'ehxuary 2, "Bolshevist influence in th« Kuomintang (Cantonese) Party appears to be waning," declared M. Albert Milhaud, addressing the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Chamber of Deputies and analysing the attitudo of the Powers. Ho said Britain Bought to continue her traditional policy with the Government of the North while negotiating with the Southern Government in order to safeguard important interests. Japan and Franco were inclined to await the unification of China, but the Chinese seemed more concerned to ensure independence as regards foreigners than to re-establish the unity of the old Empire. M. Milhaud questioned whether it was really in Fiance's interest to wait until the other Powers were entering negotiations. MOSCOW ECHOES MR CHEN. (Received February 3rd, 10.40 p.m.) MOSCOW, February 2. The newspaper "Investia" echoes Mr Chen, saying that Sir Austen Chamberlain's programme, although not satisfying all the demands, might have been considered if not accompanied by the dispatch of warships and troops.