CRISIS IN CHINA

Evening Star, Issue 19444, 30 December 1926, Page 5

CRISIS IN CHINA

FRANCE’S ATTITUDE

WAIT-AND-SEE POLICY,

Pf jss Association—By Telegraph—Copyright.

PARIS, December 28. The Cabinet reviewed the situation in China, and approved of M. Briand’s recommendation not to depart from a policy of “wait and see.” A semi-official Note has been issued, stating that Britain’s proposed declaration is regarded as unnecessary, and that the Government believes it inadvisable to discuss foreigners’ rights over tho heads of the opposing Chinese Governments, and prefers to let the crisis pass till it is possible to negotiate with a really _ representative authority. To recognise the Canton Government as independent from Peking would he to sanction the secession in tho State and disturb both North and South China, each of which is striving for control.

PRESS GANGS ACTIVE

COOLIES FROZEN TO DEATH

PEKING, December 28. Tho military impressment of coolies for transport purposes in connection with the proposed Northern attack to drive the Reds from tile Yangtso Valiev .met with disastrous results.

The coolies were pressed from the streets, herded like cattle, and entrained without being fed. A train load of 300 was found, all frozen to death, on arrival at the front. Similar incidents arc reported_ elsewhere. _ Press gangs are busy 7 in Shanghai, permission being granted by the Military Governor to send squads into the foreign concessions to press idlers. This is causing tho Red agitators to curtail their activities.

DESPERATE WOMEN BANDITS,

PEKING, December 28. It is reported that tho Kirin district is being terrorised by’ a hand of sixty mounted women bandits, reputed to he led by the divorced wife of a prosperous merchant, seeking revenge for her supposed wrongs. The band is well armed and desperate, and is roaming unchecked, robbing wealthy people. The provincial authorities are deaf to appeals for assistance and protection, fearing reprisals by the bandits.

REPLIES TO BRITISH PROPOSALS.

LONDON, December 29. (Received December 30, at 9.00 a.m.) Although the Government has not yet received official replies to the British memorandum to China, it is semiofficially stated that it is acceptable to Italy, Belgium, and the United States, while Franco maintains an attitude of reserve, and Japan is inclined to be critical. All the Chinese parties, though not enthusiastic, are likely to accept it, particularly the proposals relating to the imfncdiate imposition of the Washington surtaxes. ANXIETY IN SHANGHAI. DISLOYAL TROOPS. SHANGHAI, December 29. (Received December 30, at 9.50 a.m.) Refugees are pouring into Shanghai from Hangchow, the capital of the Chekiang Province, distant from Shanghai 100 miles, indicating that a Cantonese bid for tho possession of Shanghai is imminent. During the past fortnight tho Cantonese have been busy spreading propaganda among the Chekiang soldiery, and have succeeded in causing the latter to declare their independence from Sun Chnan-fcng, the Governor of Shanghai, who is thus stripped of a considerable portion of his army. Tho remainder, amounting to 20.000, arc suspected of disloyalty. Telegraphic communication between Shanghai and Hangchow is interrupted. Fighting is reported between Sun Chuan-feng’s forces of Chekianiles, who are virtually Red, and tho Shantung army, which is at. present stationed at tho Nanking-Yangtse railway terminus, and which was expected to rush to Shanghai to prevent tho entry of tho Cantonese. This is not expected to transpire, according to private information, stating that ono of Sun Chnanfeng’s subordinates is stationed midway on tho railway, coi'i'mmding a fairly strong force which threatens to prevent the advance of the Shangtungese as tho result nf a. long-standing grudge—the outcome of a former interprovincial war. Shanghai’s chief concern is now probably disorders and lootings at the hands of Sun Chuan-feng’s undisciplined troops, who are retreating from the Cantonese. Much anxiety is felt by merchants and shopkeepers outside tho settlements.

His Majesty’s cruiser Enterprise, from the Mediterranean, is due at Shanghai on Saturday. Foreign vessels in the Yangtse gorges have again been subjected to attacks from the banks, occupied by leaderless troops. The services are suspended.