YANGTSE VALLEY

Evening Star, Issue 19521, 31 March 1927, Page 6

YANGTSE VALLEY

Situation Regarded as Serious Anglo-American Evacuation Japanese Representative’s Warning Pres* Association—By Telegraph—Copyright

LONDON, March 30. (Received March 31, at 10 a.m.) On the surface the situation is peaceful, and a certain amount of business is being transacted. The streets are abnormally thronged by Chinese during the day, but totally deserted at night. During curfew hours hundreds are rounded up every night and taken to the police stations till daybreak. The seriousness with which the authorities view the up-river situation is indicated by the receipt of official messages stating that Anglo-American communities, Consuls, and gunboats are withdrowing entirely from Chunking, Ichang, and Changsha, owing to trade being brought to a standstill, and because recent events have shown that the situation may at any moment get -mt of control, endangering the lives of foreigners. A Hankow message says that soldiers in mufti, with pickets and ruffians, are overrunning the city. Japanese women and children are to be evacuated by the first available steamer. Chiang Kai-shek sent his Chief of Staff and secretary aboard the Japanese flagship to convey regrets for the Nanking incident to the admiral’s representative. The latter, in responding, expressed surprise at the conduct of the Southern troops, in whose discipline the Japanese had previously believed, despite certain unlawful acts directed against Japanese steamers, for which the Japanese never retaliated with a single shot. Judging from the Nanking happenings, however, it seemed that tho Southern commanders were unable to exercise full authority over their men. The Japanese representative concluded with the warning that, apart from the attitude of the Japanese Government, the Japanese navy, though it had hitherto endured every act of violence, would hereafter take drastic steps in tho event of the Southern soldiers acting unlawfully or firing on Japanese steamers without good cause. THE NANKING OUTRAGES SWORN STATEMENTS CAREFULLY-ORDERED ATTACK. DELIBERATE LOOTING. LONDON, March 30. (Received March 31, at 10.10 a.m.) A long supplemental statement submitted by Sir Austen Chamberlain in the House of Commons detailed the events in Nanking from facts derived from British sources of information and from Ministers at P.eking, supplied to them by American and Japanese representatives. The looting was carried out by uniformed soldiers belonging to formations under the command of Chun Ching. This is sworn to by His Majesty’s Consul-General, the United States Consul, and also by numerous responsible British and American residents. The looters were small organised parties, controlled by blowing whistles, and were called off by a bugle shortly after the firing from the men-o’-war began. The British ConsulateGeneral was surrounded before the entry and sentries posted. About thirty soldiers spent tbo previous night at the vice-consular house, which was temporarily unoccupied, and raised tho revolutionary flag when the looters entered the consulate. Foreign women, including the wife of the Consul-General, were thoroughly searched and rudely stripped of their valuables. Many had their clothes torn off. Two American women were only just saved irom attempted violation.

These facts are established by sworn depositions. The foreigners were not molested by the Northerners nor by the local inhabitants.

Tho looting and destruction wore worse than was at first realised. The attack on tho foreigners was carefully ordered. The Biitish Consul-General was the special objective. The consular party loss everything. It was robbed of valuables at the point of the gun, and tho houses were burned after the looting, the furniture being used for firewood. The Chinese police warned the American consular party that it would be destroyed unless they evacuated. Accordingly they escaped across country to the property of the Standard Oil Company. Although repeatedly threatened, they managed to keep out the Nationalist soldiers for two hours. Finally tho latter broke in, but, seeing the numbers inside, retired and opened fire from a distance. The British and American vessels dropped shells immediately round the house, and the party was enabled to escape over the wall. The Nationalist soldiers deliberately fired on the United States Consul with the intention of killing him. He had just the moment before given them his card and asked to see their officer. The United States Consulate was deliberately looted, though the Nationalist officers were aware that no effective steos had been'taken to afford protection. Murder, robbery, and other outrages were committed against Americans and other foreigners throughout the city without the slighttest attempt at official. restraint. Tho American Consul tried fruitlessly all da.y to find a responsible officer. This undoubtedly proved that the outrages were planned. They could

not possibly have been the result of a few troops accidentally, getting out of hand.

Commander Kenworthy; “What is the next step you propose to take?”

Sir Austen Chamberlain: “Steps which might be proper for His Majesty’s Government and other Governments, whose citizens are thus treated and flags outraged, are under consideration.” (Cheers.) STERNER OFFICIAL ATTITUDE EVACUATION OF INTERIOR IMPERATIVE* LONDON, March 30. (Received March 31, at 10.55 a.m.) A much sterner attitude against the Cantonese is distinctly discernible in official circles in consequence of the receipt of more detailed reports of the Nanking horrors. Mr Wallis, a Legation official, has sent from Nanking a report upon the subject. He has not completed inquiries, but sufficient data has been received and made public in Sir Austen Chamberlain’s statement in the House of Commons. A Press communique issued to-night confirms the guilt of the Cantonese army, and shows that the naval firing alone prevented even more terrible horrors and loss of life. The authorities admit that the evacuation of Chungking, Ichang, and Changsha by Britishers has become imperative, as the situation in the civil war zone might at any moment get out of control. The only comfort the authorities offer is the belief that the Cantonese leaders in Shanghai are showing that they already realise that a repetition of the Nanking horrors would not pay from the viewpoint of Nationalist aspirations. INTERNATIONAL CO-OPERATION DAILY CONFERENCES. PEKING, March 80. (Received March 31, at 10.10 a.m.) English, American, French, and Japanese Ministers have conferences daily regarding Nanking, discussing emergency measures to meet the situation now created, and considering possible remedies to ensure the adequate protection of nationals in the future. It is understood that it has been decided to issue a joint statement setting forth the attitude of the Governments concerned. CONQUEST OF NORTH CHINA CHANG KAI-SHEK'S AIM DIFFICULTIES WITH COMMUNISTS BERLIN, March 30. (Received March 31, at 11.20 a.m.J Chiang Kai-shek, interviewed by the ‘Vossich Zeitung,’ declared that he is preparing for the conquest of North China. He repudiates the suggestions that he has an understanding with Chang Tso-lin. Ho disclaims the intention of conquering the foreign concessions, for which he does not possess the means. Moreover, the matter must be settled by negotiation. Ho expressed the desire to expel the foreign nows agencies and establish Chinese ones. He admits difficulties with the Communists, with whom he had wished to collaborate. He added that China hoped for justice from Germany. NO INDEPENDENT ACTION BY JAPAN TOKIO, March 30. (Received March 31, at 10.10 a.m.) The Foreign Office states that the Government of Japan does not contemplate independent action in China. PHILIPPINES AND NATIONALISM RESULT OF CANTONESE SUCCESS NEW BALANCE OF POWER IN ORIENT. WASHINGTON, March 30. (Received March 31, at 1.20 a.m.) China’s Nationalism is spreading to the Philippines, stimulating the intensified campaign for island independence. Filippino lenders here express tho conviction that the political ascendency of the Cantonese Nationalists will lead to a new balance of power in the Orient, counterbalancing Japan’s previous superior political position. Pedro Guevara, Ryesident Commissioner for the Philippines in the United States Congress said that the national aspiration of the Filippino people had been spurred by the Chinese successes, and a campaign for independence from the United States’ supervision would consequently result. The Filippinos felt that the triumph of the Chinese Nationalist movement would mean the failure of the Imperialistic policy of Japan, which would then become a factor to promote democracy in the Far East.