CONDITIONS IN CHINA

Dominion, Volume 18, Issue 223, 20 June 1925, Page 7

CONDITIONS IN CHINA

DISCUSSED IN HOUSE OF COMMONS BRITISH GOVERNMENT’S AIM TO FACILITATE COUNTRY’S STABILISATION -t ? A debate on the condition of ’ China was opened in the House of Commons by a Labour mem her, who asserted that the British Government was using its forces to back up capitalistic exploitation. Air. Chamberlain defended the Government, / which he said was doing its best to improve the labour conditions. e t By Telegraph—Press Association. , CoPVRIGHX 1 (Rcc. June 19, 11.45 p.m.) London, June 19. A debate in the House of Commons on Shanghai was opened by Air. R. P. 'Trevelyan (Labour), who stressed the alarming condition of China. He agreed that it was the elementary duty of the Government to protect the lives of fellow citizens, in which connection he promised Labour support, but contended that the origin of the trouble 1 was industrial, while the climax came 1 through an unjustifiable shooting. He asserted that the British Government [ was using its forces to back up capi- ■ talistic exploitation. 1 All. Chamberlain, replying, adnijt- ’ ted that the industrial conditions were ‘ not ideal, and the British Government : was doing, and had always done, its '■ best to effect an improvement. The trouble was really much deeper seat- ’ ed. He referred to the dissatisfaction ‘ and discontent of the almost incoherent and governmcntless congerie of countries forming the Chinese Empire, which, notwithstanding the good-will and international co-operation piomised by the Washington Conference, had prevented the Powers doing little more than stand and watch. He denied that the order to fire was given precipitately. On the contrary, action was not taken until the police station was endangered, with ilic arms it contained. Air. Chamberlain declared that the Government was anxious to do its utmost to facilitate the stabilisation of the country, and-proposed to consult with other Powers to facilitate the most prompt convocation of a Chinese tariff conference, as foreshadowed at Washington. He hoped that with the goodwill of the Powers and China they would be able to pilot the country through the transition period and establish a Government on the firm foundations of equity and justice.—Reuter. PROTECTION OF BRITISH LIFE AND PROPERTY (Rec. June 20, 0.15 a.in.) London, June 19. In the House of Commons, in answering to the question "What is the Bri-' tish Government going to do?” in the course of the debate initiated by Air. Trevelyan on the situation in China, Air. Chamberlain said that in common with the other Powers interested, the British Government would protect the life and property of British subjects in China, and bold the Chinese Government responsible for all injuries and damage wantonly inflicted either on British subjects or British property. There could be no weakness or hesitation. It was the fundamental duty of every British Government, which any British Government must discharge. It was not a remedy for the situation, but it was a necessity arising out of the outrages which had occurred.—Reuter. DELEGATES OF POWERS AND CHINA CONFER BUT REACH DEADLOCK OWING TO DIVERGENCE OF

VIEWS Peking, June 18. After several meetings of representatives of rhe Chinese Government and the interested Powers at Shanghai to discuss the situation and endeavour to find a solution of the difficulties, the negotiations were broken off, owing to a divergence of views which developed. The Chinese delegation presented a series of demands, which the foreign representatives insisted they were not authorised to deal with. The Chinese were insistent in pressing these matters, consequently' a deadlock occurred, and the foreign delegates returned to Peking.—Reuter.

NO STEPS TO STOP DANGEROUS AGITATION PROVOCATIVE POSTERS IN PEKING Peking, June 18. Despite the official statements that every effort would be made to prevent anti-foreign riots, nothing is being done to hinder dangerous and inflammatory agitation. Thousands of incendiary and provocative posters have been posted throughout Peking, depicting the British police shooting and bayoneting de‘enceless students, and women, and children lying on the ground. The vernacular papers mostly refuse to print reliable telegrams, and are inserting absurdly garbled versions of events.— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. FRESH TROUBLE AT SHANGHAI SITUATION CRITICAL SHIPPING STRIKE WORSE Peking, June 18. A wireless message from Shanghai says that the agitation has again flared up, and the situation is critical. The British Consul was forced to leave the Consulate and has taken up his residence in the Lungmen Temple. British residents were stoned and assaulted in the streets. The warship Teal is protecting! the Asiatic Petroleum Company’s in- i strflation.

There is no news from Amoy and Foochow. _ The position at Kiukiang is improving, and Hankow is quiet. Other reports from Shanghai state

that the shipping strike is becoming worse. The Pootung Wharf coolies struck, and 90 per cent, of the Shanghai Tug and Lighter Company’s lightermen are out. Ninety ex-members of the municipal police led a huge procession, which smashed the windows of shops containing British and Japanese goods, until Chang Such-liang’s troops interfered and subdued tlie crowd. Subsequently the rioters sent a delegation to ask Chang Such-Hang to throw in his lot with the strikers. Chang counselled prudence and patience. Late last night the strikers set fire to the Japanese cotton mill at Kungdah, but the police extinguished it, and little damage was done.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

MASS MEETING AT SHANGHAI DECIDES TO CALL GENERAL STRIKE (Rec. June 19, 11.45 p.m.) Peking, June 19. A message from Shanghai states that a mass meeting of students and working citizens at Kwangtung University decided to call a general strike, and also declared a general boycott of British, Japanese, and American goods. The date of the strike is unknown, but probably will be June 20 or 22. It is feared anti-foreign outbreaks will follow.—Reuter.

STRIKE OF STUDENTS AT HONGKONG

Peking, June 18. At Hong-Kong some of the older students at Queen’s College struck in sympathy with the Shangha’ movement. I'he parents of others escorted them to the college as a precaution against possible intimidation. The feeling amongst the leading local Chinese interests is strongly' against Hong-Kong being involved in the strike troubles.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. INDICATIONS OF STRIKE OF SEAMEN (Rec. June 20. 0.45 p.m.) Hong-Kong, June 19. There are indications of a Chinese Seamen’s strike. The crew of the British steamer Suitai, trading to HongKong, have struck. The Hong-Kong-Canton-Macao Steamboat Company have cancelled the sailing to Canton.—Reuter. TROOPS FOR POLICE DUTYIN PEKING Peking, June 18. Two brigades of the War Minister’s Mukden troops have arrived in the ; vicinity of Peking. It is explained that they will act as a special tmard for the Chief Executive. Chang Tso-lin also sent a battalion for special police duty. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.