Evening Post. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 1927. HOPEFUL SIGNS

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 33, 9 February 1927, Page 8

Evening Post. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 1927. HOPEFUL SIGNS

While the streets of Hankow are placarded with posters declaring that Shanghai has been captured by the Cantonese, Shanghai itself is said to be rejoicing in the news of a victory for Sun Chuan-fang's forces which relieves it of immediate danger. It is to be hoped that the second of these items has a more solid foundation than the first. The placarding of Hankow with such a patent absurdity as the fall of Shanghai without a blow is itself a hopeful sign as suggesting that, in the absence of facts fit for the purpose, lies of the most extravagant kind must be concocted to revive the drooping spirits of the Chinese Reds. One of their difficulties is indicated in the reason why the report of their defeat at Chuchow finds easy credence in Shanghai. It is well known there, we are told, "that the Southerners have lately been hampered through lack of finance and shortage of. ammunition and difficulties of transportation." «A similar reason was given on Saturday for the official optimism still prevalent in London. The fact that Chen has "no munitions and no money" was considered to discount the truculence of his diplomacy and the threat to Shanghai. At their previous meetings with the Cantonese forces the troops of Sun Chuan-fang made a poor show. The Reds appeared to be better disciplined, better equipped and in better -heart*, but; none of these can be long maintained without money, and the Southern leaders may be already discovering that their Russian friends are unable to fill the immense gap in their finances which has been made by the destruction of British trade at Hankow and elsewhere. The reason why the British Government refused to be alarmed by Mr. Chen's breaking off of the negotiations a week ago is the knowledge that they can play the! waiting game better than he, and the resumption of the negotiations which is reported to-day justifies their con-! fidence." : ' ■■■' )"■

Other hopeful signs in a position which is still full of peril are supplied by the evidence that the determination- of the other interested Powers to leave everything to Britain appears to be weakening. Japan, Which Wflis the first to come forward with a cordial approval of the drastic action taken by Britain, said at the same time that if her own interests were threatened she would increase her precautions, and she is already making her words good. Within the. last few days the Japanese forces within striking distance of Shanghai have been increased by a cruiser, three destroyers, and 300 marines. Though: the information on which this action was based has not beeu disclosed, public opinion had been prepared for it by the gloomy reports of Japanese correspondents regarding the position in both Pekin and Hankow. If the Tokio correspondent of the Sydney "Sun" is correct in his statement that the Chinese Nationalists are intending to seize a mine above Hankow which is "practically the sole source of pig-iron for the Japan Government's steel plants, in which hundreds of millions, are invested," Japan has good cause to worry and to range herself more definitely by the side of Great Britain.

The only other Power which has come out strongly in support of British policy at Shanghai is, oddly enough, at the opposite extreme from Japan in point of interest. Though Italy is a party to the NinePower Treaty regarding the affairs of.. China which was signed at the Washington Conference, it was rather as a great Power and particularly as a great Naval' Power than on account of Jier special interests in China, that Italy signed the Treaty. And it is a safe conjecture that it is her interest not in China but in European and Mediterranean poli-' tics that brings her along now. So far as Britain is concerned, the intervention of Italy is none the less welcome on that account. Even the desire "to extinguish Chinese anarchy and brigandage masked as Nationalism" which the leading Fascist, organ declares to be a pro-, per object of Italian policy can only be described as a small "side line." The trepidation of France at Italy's action is significant and amusing. She has been friendly to Britain throughout, and her concession in Shanghai appears to have made her the only Power to imitate Britain in making military preparations in the city itself. France should therefore be glad to receive the help of a third Power, but it looks as though any Other Power would be more welcome than Italy. "Take any shape but that!" is the purport of the bitter comments made by the organs of the Left. The defence of Shanghai, sa.ys "Pergtinax"- in the "Shjho de Parisj"is na-

tural enough, but France's abstention may lead to her isolation in Europe. . . . He (Signor Mussolini) is profiting from events with the purpose of obtaining an agreement as to what part of the Mediterranean his note of .hand may be cashed in.

France can hardly expect Britain to sympathise with her very deeply in her trouble, but her need will be less in proportion to the practical sympathy she herself displays at Shanghai.