CIVIL WAR IN CHINA

Evening Star, Issue 19559, 18 May 1927, Page 6

CIVIL WAR IN CHINA

HEAVY FIGHTING CONTINUES SITUATION GOING AGAINST CHIANG Press Association—By Telegraph— Copyright SHANGHAI, May 17. (Received May 18, at 11.40 a.m.) Heavy fighting continues in Hanaa. The Hankow Government’s forces aal their Northern allies have made no preciable difference in the situation. Wealthy Chinese in Hankow are sheltering in the remaining foreign concessions, and are sending their families to Shanghai. Lower down stream Chiang Kai-shek is engaged with a mixed Northern force. A British wireless reports that the situation is not favoring Chiang Kaishek.—A. and N.Z. and ‘ Sun ’ Cable.

BRITISH REPRESENTATIVE WITHDRAWN. (Official British News.) Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. . RUGBY, May 17.(Received May 18, at 11 a.m.) Sir Miles Lampson (British Minister at Peking) has recalled his representative (Mr Newton) from Hankow, owin; to the failure of the Hankow author! ties to make good their claim to goven in accordance with the standards of > reshponsible modern Government. Tlit decision causes little surprise, for the efforts of the British Government to meet their aspirations have met with no response in spirit, sincerity, and statesmanship from Mr Chen and his associates. It is recalled that within a month of Sir Miles Lampson’s departure from Hankow’, where he was engaged in a frank and friendly discussion with Mr chen, and while his representative was still there to maintain contact, the concession was overrun, and Southern troops, admitted for the purpose of restoring order, remained in unjustifiabk possession.

The British Government has since persisted in its efforts to put its relationi with all sections of the Chine.'* people on a proper footing, and to this end made an agreement to surrendering the greater part of the safeguards hitherto maintained for British nationals in the concession, and placing the ultimate responsibility for the proper administration of the area in the hands of the Southern authorities. Furthermore, on January 27 the British Government communicated a generous and far-reach-ing proposal to Mr Chen, offering to waive most of the British treaty rights by their ow unilateral act. Despite the continuous proof of sincerity and goodwill given by His Majesty’s Government in these and many other ways, the unfavorable conditions for British subjects in the areas then controlled from Hankow and the campaign of abuse and anti-British propaganda continued until the general insecurity for trade, property, and even life reached such a point that British subjects had to evacuate every port west of Hankow-

The trade of Hankow itself had meanwhile been brought almost to a standstill, whilst the withdrawal of so many of its residents has sufficiently evinced the general feeling of insecurity At Chingkiang, despite a specific assurance to the contrary, the British concession was overrun. British property and tho British Consulate were occupied, and a climax which shocked the civilised world was reached in tho murderous outrages at Nanking on March 24. The Hankow authorities even shirked the responsibility of accepting the studiously moderate terms presented to them for settlement of these outrages. It is those circumstances that have led Sir Miles Lampson to take tho step of recalling his representative. STRENGTH OF BRITISH FORCES. (British Official News.) Press Association —By Wireless —Copyright. RUGBY, May 17. (Received May 18, at 11 a.ra.) Captain King, for the War Office, stated in the House of Commons that tho British military forces now in Shanghai consist of twelve infantry battalions and one marine battalion, with auxiliary troops at Hongkong. Including four battalions arriving, there wen seven infantry battalions.