PLAYING WITH FIRE

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

PLAYING WITH FIRE

A LABOUR CRITICISM

THE PREMIER EXPLAEtfS

(Received 9th February, 12,30 p.m.) LONDON, Bth Feb. Speaking in the debate on the Ad-dress-in-Keply, Mr. J. E. Mac Donald, Leader of the Opposition, said that the China position could only be described as of grave importance. We had created a new situation by sending out a. defence force of soldiers to act as policemen. It might or it might not increase the security of the British people at Shanghai, but the first effect ■was to unite Pekin and

Canton in pro-

test. The only way to diminish, the risk to our nationals was to get such arrangements under consideration as would make an outbreak of violence impossible. This might have been achieved had Chen been approached regarding a guarantee of security. The Government was playing with fire in sending troops. He urged the House to do everything in its power to get the negotiations resumed and then the forces could be diverted.-

Mr. MacDbnald said that the uninfluential elements in China did not- want a- peaceful settlement, and their influence would be the greater so long as our policy was in doubt. Nothing could complicate foreign relations more than a breach with Russia. Did Mr. Baldwin contemplate a change in the Russian policy? Personally he hoped to see a closer touch with Russia.

DANGER OF MASSACRE.

Mr. Baldwin, in reply, announced that there would be a debate on China on Thursday. He doubted whether Mr. Mac Donald would have spoken as he did, if he had been the responsible head of the Q o'v.e mm en t'. There were appearances in China .to-day reminiscent of those preceding the Boxer troubles. The danger was not only

from the Shang

hai mob. If bloodshed had begun at Hankow, it might have resulted in Chinese troops fighting the mob, and there might easily have been a massacre.

"We have sent forces," said Mr. Baldwin, "which we were advised

were necessary to defend our people

in the International Concession if a combination should arise of a real

struggle for the capture of the Concessions and the murder of the inhabitants on the part of the mob, together wittl troops from either the

beaten or the victorious army com-

ing into Shanghai. Our forces had been sent to the Far East to safe-

guard British lives in China, particularly in Shanghai. That was and

is the Government's only policy. The question of the time and tho manner : in which the troops should be landed

at Shanghai must depend on the advice of our representatives on the spot. If they consider that the emergency requires the immediate disembarkation at Shanghai, we shall act accordingly. If not, the leading brigade will be held in readiness at Hong Kong, -while the rest of the force is approaching." LOIOKINO AHEAD.

Mr. Baldwin continued

_ "There can be no question of entering into an agreement with Chen or anyone else in connection with the movement of troops dispatched solely with -the object of protecting British" lives. (Cheers.) We could not shorten the internal Chinese struggle by entering into it ourselves. We must be ready for the day when there will be a united Government of China by making the most generous advances simultaneously to both parties and by discussing what they could do to come together m order that when the internal struggles are ended we shall be able to enter into new friendly and propitious relations with that great country (Cheers.) . '