RUSSIA AND CHINA

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 18925, 14 February 1927, Page 9

RUSSIA AND CHINA

EXTENT OF SOVIET INFLUENCE. BRITISH LABOUR'S DILEMMA. I'BT CASLE—P2ES! ASSOCIATION" —COPTE2GHT.) (acstealias asd r.;. cable associatios.'i LONDON, IV-. i; . ;.- 12. A political correspondent states: — The debate on China t-mj.i,asifed the disunion rampant among Labour members, which was most notable at the "Lnited Labour" demonstration at the Albert Hall, where the derisory spectacle v.-as witnessed t-i 'he ciiairii.uu -Mr Hicks, denouncing the new war while Mr Ramsay Maci.\. i: .... pn-UVtc. that there was r.o war and his belief in the genuine pencc/u.uess ol' the (ioveminent's intentions, but the unwisdom "f its actions.

-Mr Oorge Laiisbury ; ,nd M r ,1. Muxtun, wiio supported him, discerned behind thf> dft'eni'c or shanghai an offensive against their friends of -Moscow. Despite Mr Lloyd George's jibe about the "See lier|V> 1 M:?-n is rapidly de velopini: i*i to a Hiissian (|iic«tion. Uht lhei I'litain will continue to liarliour the Ihissian TraUe Agency a. Chcshnni IIous;-, which is described as a nest of anti-British propagandists, remains to be seen. Undoubtedly Cabinet is divided, but it is thought that there is a majority for expulsion. However, no steps are likely to be taken at present, because Britain's trade with Russia amounts to several millions a year, while large machinery' orders arc actually in hand and further orders are in course of negotiation. Expulsion is therefore a considerable question for the Conservatives. On this subject the views of Liberals and Labour coincide because the policy of espulsion is championed by those members of Cabinet who are most obnoxious to the Opposition. It is only necossary for Mr Churchill or Sir Wiilinm Joyn-•son-Hicks to propose anything for tho Liberals to oppose it vehemently, while Labour invariably believes that England is always wrong. The mentality of Labour is evidenced by their selection of a Chineso as Labour candidate for Holbom. The real points to be considered are, however, whether Russia really is behind China or is being used by China. There is no evidence available that the "heathen Chinee" is any less heathen and wily than in the past. At least, it is just as probable that the Chinese are using the Russians as that the Russians are using tho Chinese. Furthermore, of what benefit is it to Russia, which .abandoned Communism at home, to Communise China. Is it not more likely that Moscow's interests in China are a reversion to the Tsarist foreign policy which led to the RussoJiipaneso War? Chinese nationalism ante-dates Russian Bolshevism many years, and Dr. Sun Yat Sen the world had known long before it knew Lenin. Mr Chen is his disciple. Just ns Sun, when the Republic was established, discarded the Japanese who generously aided him, eo it is likely that Mr Chen will discard General Borodin and .his Soviet advisers.

THE STAKES IN CHINA. RUSSIA'S DESTINY BEING FOUGHT OUT. (AITSTHAIIAN ASD S.J. CABLE ASSOCIATION.) (Received February 13th, 11.45 p.m.) LONDON, February 12. Mr J. L. Garvin, in the "Observer" says: "The destiny of Russia itself is bci,ng fought out in China. Bolshevist failure there will do more than anything else to complete the stabilisation of the world. Tho future of Germany depends upon this, for ; the German Monarchist and militarist minority rest upon the assumption that Bolshevist and Chinese Nationalisfforces combined will ruin the British Empire in Asia and that Russia will help to overturn the existing system in Europe. This is the old dream of the insuperable antagonism between Britain and Russia, which brought the Kaiser to his doom and Germany to the ground, but until it is finally dispelled, no solid confidence in the preservation of peace can exist in Europe and until confidence is restored, wha hope can there be for President Coolidge's proposal, or the League's hope for general disarmament! Can Britain's naval power be crippled in the Far East while Bolshevist Russia is free to send to China by land agents and munitions without restriction? Nevertheless President Coolidge's proposal is welcome and the presence of Americans at Geneva will ensure the bearing of the whole truth regarding armaments and security. Only American leadership and concerted action in the Far East can steady the Chinese situation, bring Moscow to a settled intercourse with the rest of civilisation, extinguish the mirage of a world revolution, and advance the whole disarmament and peace movement."

FOREIGNERS' LEGAL RIGHTS. (AT7BTBAUASI 4STO *.Z. CABtE ASSOCIATION.) (Received February 13th, 5.5 p.m.) SHANGHAI, February 11. Mr Chen has notified the Consulates that the Canton Political Bureau has ordered that no more eases on behalf of foreign plaintiffs will be heard in mixed Courts. Such must be tried before a Chinese City Magistrate without a Consular official as assessor. SIR FRANCIS AGLEN'S DISMISSAL (AUSTBALZAX AND V.Z CABLS ASSOCIATION.) PEKING, February 11. Sir Fjancis Aglen handed over the charge of the Customs and loan service to-day. It is understood that Sir Francis, who intends to return to England, remains gazetted and will be treated as inspector-general of Maritime Customs for the year. •

[Sir Francis Aglen was dismissed from the position of Collector of Customs at Peking recently. Though refusal to collect surtaxes was given aa tho reason, it is stated that the Peking Government was incensed over his visit to Hankow to interview Mr Eugene Chen. Chang Tso-lin is also hostile .to Sir Francis.] SIR AUSTEN'S SPEECH. FAVOURABLE RECEPTION IN CHINA. (AUSTIAUAX A*T> K.l. CABLE ASSOCIATION.) SHANGHAI, February 11. The "Daily Telegraph's" Peking correspondent states that Sir Austen Chamberlain's speech was favourably received, but the British Legation has no news of the agreement between Mr O'Malley and Mr Chen. Opinion here u that if Mr Chen

signs it will be because Russian influence is unable to control the military and civil parties represented respectively by the southern commander and Mr Chen. Rather than loso control of either party the Russians may desist from the attempt to mlluence the Cantonese. An agreement niav be reached tlie dismissal of Sir Francis Afclcn, wlui has been withdrawn. Hie has been granted a year's leave.

FIGHTING COMMUNISM. CHANG TSO-LIN'S CAMPAIGN. (ACSTSALIAS AND K.Z CABLE ASSOCIATES.) PEKING* February 11. Interviewed by a Japanese agency, General Yang Yu-ting, Chang Tso-lin's Chief of Staff, said: "It goes without saying that General Wu Pei-fu is on our !>ide, but in view of the threatening situation in Chekiang, the Fongtien forces will advance on Honan in order to restruin the activities of the Southern forces." Referring to General Chiang Kaishek, the Cantonese commander, and the American proposal for the neutralisation of Shanghai, Yang < Yu-ting remarked that if Chiang Kai-shek would thoroughly suppress Communism in China, it would not be impossible to bring about a compromise between the Northern and Soutliern Armies. Regarding the American proposal for a neutral zone at Shanghai, they wc.'e unable to approve it.

BRITISH TRANSPORTS ARRIVE. (AUSTRALIA* ASD K.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION.) (Received February 13th, 5.5 p.m.) PEKING, February 12. Transports with two battalions of the Durham and Gloucestershire infantry from India have arrived for the defence of Shanghai. There are now 23 foreign warships, three British battalions and 1000 United States marines at Shanghai. The Nationalist Ministry of Communications has sent an order to the Co-Director General of Posts at Peking to the effect that in all territories under the Nationalist Government postal commissioners in all districts shall be appointed by the Nationalist Ministry of Communications. No commissioners appointed from Peking will be allowed to assume or continue office after February 11th.

FOREIGNERS LEAVE SZECHWAN. (AUSTBALIAS AXD S.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION.) SHANGHAI, February 11. The first group of foreigners to evacuate Szechwan province were mostly missionaries, who arrived in a crowded river steamer. The party included 78 Canadians, Englishmen and Australians, and Americans. The refugee colony now exceeds 500. WARSHIPS LEAVE MALTA. (avsisalust asp s.z. cable association.) (Received February 13th, 11.25 p.m.) MALTAR, February 12. The airship-carrier Argus, and the cruiser Dauntless have sailed for China. COLLECTION OF SURTAXES. (AUSTRALIA* ASD Jf.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATES.)

(Received February 13th, 11,10 p.m.) PEKING, February 12. The Chinese superintendent of the Customs at Tientsin, has been appointed Director for the collection of surtaxes. It is intimated that any surtax paid into the maritime Customs will not be regarded as legal. It is believed that the same policy will be adopted at the other Northern Treaty ports, thus obviating the difficulty of attempting to compel foreign Customs officials to collect the surtax. The Japanese Consul at Tientsin has protested, but the British and the American do not intend to act. At the conclusion of the conference between Mr Eugene Chen and Mr o'Malley, it was officially stated that nothing was yet available for publication. The Nationalist Government has appointed a Commission consisting cf Messrs Chen Tu-soong, and Sun Fo, to investigate and report on the new situation in connexion with the Customs created by the dismissal of Sir Francis Iglen, which is regarded as a challenge from the Peking Government. It is officially stated that the Nationalist Government does not recognise the appointment of his successor.