CHINESE PUZZLE

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 28 December 1926, Page 5

CHINESE PUZZLE

BRITISH PROPOSALS. I treaty revision NEW TARIFF POLICY. BY CABLE—PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT. , LONDON, Dec. 26. The proposals submitted by the British Charge cl’Affaires at Shanghai to the representatives of the Washington Treaty Powers are set forth at length in a memorandum, the text of which has been issued. It points out that difficulties have arisen in negotiating with China owing to the waning influence of the Peking Government and the growth of the powerful Nationalist Government of Canton. It proposes that the Powers declare readiness to negotiate on treaty revision and all other outstanding questions as so'on as the Chinese themselves have constituted a stable authority. In the meantime the Powers are. urged to pursue a constructive policy in harmony with the spirit of the Washington Conference, but adapted to meet the present altered circumstances. It is proposed that the idea that the economic and political development. of China is only securable under foreign tutelage should be abandoned,. and a declaration made of China’s right to enjoy tariff autonomy as soon as she promulgates a new national tariff. Referring to the recent Cantonese seizure of the so-called Washington sur taxes by levying additional taxes on foreign trade, the memorandum says: “Britain most reluctantly joined in the protest for the sake of maintaining the solidarity of the Powers, but is not satisfied that this is the right policy.” The memorandum strongly urges the Powers to authorise an immediate levy of these surtaxes unconditionally through China for the benefit of the provinces in which they are actually collected, and presses for a reply on this point. It declares that the British Government attaches the greatest importance to the sanctity of treaties, but believes that this principle is best maintained by a sympathetic adjustment of treaty rights to the equitable claims of the Chinese. attitude of the powers. ONLY BELGIUM APPROVES. WASHINGTON, Dec. 26. The British memorandum on China, strikes a responsive chord in official circles here. The British communication has not yet been examined closely, but it is likely that an official expression of the American viewpoint, both on customs and extra-territoriality question, will be made at an early date. LONDON, Dec. 24. Only the Belgian Government has so far openly expressed approval of the British memorandum to China, says the Daily Telegraph’s diplomatic correspondent. Japanese opinion is more critical than auticipated, while the French are distinctly cautious. America on the other hand could hardly view London’s generous gesture with disfavour. The Cantonese, however, arc far from satisfied. Apparently they resent their failure to secure recognition as the de jure Government. The obvious reply is that Chen and his colleagues arc not yet the exclusive rulers of China. If, and .when they become so, their claim will be difficult to withstand. _ ■ Meantime the non-publication of the full text has greatly helped Cantonese misrepresentations. Publication was only withheld out of courtesy to the Treaty Powers, but Britain will not be able to wait indefinitely for their views. , JAPAN PROFITS BY HOSTILITY TO FOREIGNERS. Received 10.15 a.m. to-day. PARIS, Dec. 27. “Pertinax,” in Le. Echo do Paris, expresses the opinion that Japan has profited from the course of events in China where anti-foreign outbreaks are driving trade northwards to the Japanese sphere. The unforgettable slight in the repudiation of the Anglo-Japanese alliance will tend to make Japan persist in her attitude. She is unlikely to favour the British memorandum to China.