TROUBLE IN CHINA

Greymouth Evening Star, 2 December 1926, Page 5

TROUBLE IN CHINA

FIRMER BRITISH POLICY. TROOPS REINFORCED. (Australian & N.Z.' Cable Assn.) (By Cable —Press Assn.—Copyright.) SHANGHAI, December 1. ' British people are relieved by Sir A. Chamberlain’s announcement of the despatch of forces. There is widespread regret that the British .public does not realise the seriousness of the situation, and that inter■yention is thus held up. The arrival of the new Minister from. London is believed to be the forerunner of a change of British policy. His arrival synchronised with the receipt of scores of telegraphic and postal communications from residents asking for British intervention stating further toleration of Chinese high-handedness was impossible. Meantime, the boycott'is spreading beyond Hankow, where the Customs Commissioner is enlisting: foreign labour to replace the striking Chinese officers. Every Japanese house in. Hankow is picketed. Reprisals are swift on any suppliers of food. There are significant rumours that Trotsky is replacing Chernich as Soviet Ambassador at. Pekin, which is regarded as indicating the Soviet’s intention to create a Far Eastern war.

The further despatch of Cluing Tso Lin’s troops to Yangtsze has been cancelled, as the result of the Kuominchun threatening Pekin. There is great activity among Chang fl’so Lin’s troops, who are preparing foi - a great winter campaign.

BRITISH CABINET MEETING. LONDON, December 1. The latest news from China is regarded as most serious. The Cabinet last night considered the situation. It is understood that. Sir Austen Chamberlain will make a full state-' ment in the House of Commons today. MINISTERIAL STATEMENTS. (Received 1 p.m.) LONDON, December 2. In the Commons, the notice paper contained a batch of questions on the Chinese position: Sir A. Chamberlain, replying, said there was no international foreign settlement in Hankow, but Britain, France and Japan had separate concessions. Their naval forces at Hankow would no doubt act in concert to protect the respective nationals. The sloop river boats would remain at Hankow for the winter, and additional forces would be made available, if a landing were necessitated. There was no reason to apprehend personal danger to British subjects in treaty ports, except possibly Hankow, or in isolated places in the interior. At present he saw no reason to anticipate an armed attack on Shanghai by Cantonese soldiers, though the work of professional agitators might inconvenience the community. There was no reason to suppose the shipping facilities at Hankow were inadequate to evacuate the British people if necessary.

Mr. Bridgeman announced that the present naval forces in the Far East were regarded as sufficient, but he was considering the possibility of having to supplement them. ANTI-FOREIGN CAMPAIGN. PEK.LN, December 1. With the majority of Hankow labourers idle, as a result of,the strike, Communist speakers at the, daily gathering harangue huge crowds, who without'difficulty listen to firebrand speeches which are stirring the populace to acts of violence against foreigners. and wealthy Chinese. New organisations, with various alleged purposes are being formed daily. The main- purpose is to gain mastery over the foreigners with the object of driving them from China. AMERICAN NAVAL MOVEMENTS. NEW YORK, November <“0. Two American destroyers, the “Pope” and the “Truxton,” have been ordered to Hankow to protect foreign lives in the present crisis. The American naval force will cooperate with the British, the French, and other vessels to protect their threatened nationals. A FRENCH WARNING. PARIS. December J. Speaking on. foreign policy in the Chamber of Deputies. M. Briand said that France was maintaining a moderate attitude in China, and was trying to follow a policy conforming to the Chinese interests, but France must protect her .own citizens. “We shall not allow French throats to be cut,” he said. M. Briand said that there was talk of a possible massacre of foreigners in Hankow. France would defend her concession there, if necessary, but it was hoped that she would not become involved in any military operations.