ON THE YANGTSZE

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 29 September 1926, Page 7

ON THE YANGTSZE

ATTACK AT WANHSEIN.

POSITION IMPROVING. PRIME MINISTER EXPLAINS. BY CABLE—PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT. Received 10.35 a.m. to-day. LONDON, Sept. 28. Speaking in the House- of Commons, the Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. Stanley Baldwin) informed Mr. Ramsay MacDonald that both the British steamers which were captured during the Yangtsze disturbances were being returned to their owners. Furthermore,' the British Consul had been instructed to expedite a settlement of all outstanding points covering the incident. Mr. Baldwin explained that it was not till General Yangsen had refused conciliatory attempts to obtain the release of British merchant officers that force was used. Heavy fire greeted the cruiser Cockchafer, which returned the fire. Thereafter General Yangsen agreed to discuss the return of the ships, after which Britain would undertake to inquire into General Yangsen’s allegation that a British steamer firstsank a Chinese steamer conveying troops. The present position did not warrant military intervention or reinforcements, and. the position had greatly improved.

REVISION OF TREATIES. MOTIVE BEHIND ANTI-BRITISH ACTION. Received 10.35 a.m. to-day.. GENEVA, Sept, 28. “The Chinese nowadays are not afraid of big guns,” says Mr. Chu. He declared that the Government had ordered him to attack Britain regarding the Wanhsien affair to prevent a repetition of the bombardment. Unless unjust treaties were revised, antiBritish sentiment and the boycott or British trade would continue. —Sydney Sun Cable.