SOVIET POLICY

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 28 January 1927, Page 5

SOVIET POLICY

ATTACK ON BRITAIN.

CHINA FIRST THEN OTHER COLONIES. By CARLE—PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT. LONDON, JT*i. 26. The Daily Mail declines rfcfiat accordin<l to -VI. Bukiiann, Moscow & policy maser, tae trouble, m Oaina m tihe iir-sn organised. attack against Britain. As soon a* a Giiines© victory is assured, Ciuma, will be mad© the centre oi operations against Dritain’s neighbouring colonies. The Soviet newspaper, Pravda, explains that it is. imperative to knock •tintain about elsewhere before starting an Indian revolution. It recalls that Karakhan, a former Soviet envoy in Peking, was appointed the head of the Eastern Department of Moscow international. The Soviet is now sending three classes of agitators to China, firstly the political ones, who are attached' to Chinese personages ajid institutions to advise on political and military matters, secondly, trade agitators charged with the task of intensifying boycotts, and thirdly, labour leaders to organise Chinese workers into militant unions. Batches of young Chinese graduates are also going to China from Moscow, some from, the Soviet’s Sun-Yat-sen University. The Pravda adds that the regiments marching .against the British will be composed of workers and students from Canton, trained in \ the famous Moscow military schools. Tlhe Daily Mail adds that Moscow fears that British peace with China will mean the destruction of all the Soviet plans against Britain.

I’KAOEFUL NEGOTIATIONS DEMANDED'. SYMPATHY WITH, CHINESE WORKERS. LABOUR COUNCIL’S RESOLUTION. LONDON, Jan. 2G. Ordering that copies be cabled to Mr Chen and to the Australian, and New Zealand Labour Parties, the National Joint Labour Council adopted a resolution declaring: “The Labour movement deplores the flaunted military demonstration against the Oantom Government, because it may stir up a panic and aggression on both sides, rendering inevitable the misfortunes it pretends to prevent, and also that it _is likely to thwart the policy of negotiation for an amicable settlement on the Chinese National Government, “The British Labour Party demand the patient and honest pursuit of peaceful negotiations, freed from armed menace. for the ultimate abrogation of the treaties and the immediate winding up of the conditions depending upon the existence of treaties. We also send the Chinese workers our sincere sympathies and support in the attempt to improve an economic position and establish, the country among the self-gov-erning nations.’’ In a covering message to Mr. Chen, the Labour Council states: “We are confident you will do everything to negotiate a settlement and prevent incidents giving an excuse for the use of military force.” The resolution was passed after a deputation visited Sir Austen Chamberlain, who. replying to the Labour manifesto, recalled the Government’s pacific endeavours and added: “It will be «een that the Government has every V desire for a friendly settlement. It is ready to make liberal concessions, -as foreshadowed in the British memorandum if the Chinese; desire to conduct conversations, but the internal dissensions in China render the Government’s task difficult. Disorders resulting in civil war and the dangers threatening foreigners engaged in legitimate and peaceful pursuits have obliged the Government to take the necessary steps to discharge its primary duty of protecting lives.” SYMPATHY WITH CHINESE FROM SOUTH AFRICA. CAPETOWN, Jan. 27. The National Executive Council of the South African Trade Union Congress resolved that it had “entire sympathy with the Chinese people iu their sti uggle to throw off- the yoke of foreign exploitation, and condemned the action of those Governments who had embarked ori a policy of military intervention with a view to perpetuating the injustices whereunder the Chinese were suffering.” APPLICATIONS. FOR SERVICE.' MEN NOT REQUIRED AT PRESENT LONDON, Jan. 27. The War Office announces that it has received hundreds of applications from ex-officers and members of the reserve of officers for service in China, but they are not required. The Army Medical Corps, is dispatching the general hospital, field ambulance and hygienic section for the treatment of infectious diseases. The marines’ recruiting office in 'Whitehall has been besieged by applicants, and at the army general recruiting office there has been a queue of „ inquiries as in the early days of the Great War. 'TROOPS SAIL FROM INDIA. DELHI, Jan. 27. The 2nd Durhiams embarked to-day at Calcutta for China. Two Indian battalions sail on Sunday. TROOPS FROM DOMINIONS. .LENGTHY PROCESS INVOLVED. NO INVITATIONS SENT. NO CHANGE TN BRITAIN’S POLICY LONDON. Jan. 27. It is learned authoritatively that all suggestions that Australia, lias ever been invited to send forces to l China can he dismissed as entirely lacking foundation. Australia, in common with all the Dominions, lias been fully informed regarding the British t rations. but nothing further was even hinted at. though some London newspapers continue to throw out hints that some such invitation has been sent out to Australia and New Zealand as the nearest Dominions.

Official: circles-. n-nlike sections of the London press, realise that there .are no standing armies, in Australia, and New r«ady for despatch to China a:fc short notice. Tt is recognised that in the event of a. much more serious <lovelomnent of the Chinese trouble it ■vronhl probable he all over before Ans-t>-alia. and New Zealand could so through the lenethv process of living Parliamentary sanction to participation and the recruiting of volunteer

forces and equipping and transporting them.

It is officially emphasised that Mr. O’Malley has not submitted new' proposals representing a change in Britain’s policy. Mr O'Malley simply concluded his preliminary investigation of the situation and now feels that the psychological moment 'has arrived for making definite proposals in accordance with the British memorandum. The same sources reiterate that Britain’s 'lone-hand military precautions are more apparent than real and are due entirely to her geographical position necessitating the despatch of troops long before the absolute necessity therefor has arisen. Japan can send forces at the Hast minute. Even France has forces available in Ann am, but in view of the numbers of British, lives in China and the vastness of our interests, Britain must have forces ready on the spot in the event of developments. though these at. present are nor anticipated.

MR. RAMSAY MACDONALD’S ATTITUDE.

Received 9.45 a.m. to-day. LONDON, Jan. 27. Considerable attention is being devoted to Mr. Ramsay MacDonald’s attitude towards the Chinese situation. Apart from his recent interview with Sir Austin Chamberlain, Mr. MacDonald, in earlier press articles, declared that influences behind the Chinese movement were by no means all in the open. Critics observe that his present mood is another example of his yielding to extremist pressure.

DEFENCE OF SHANGHAI BRITISH TROOPS ARRIVE. PROPOSED PLANS, Received II a.m. to-dav. SHANGHAI, Jan. 27. Stirring ,scenes were witnessed on tlie arrival of the first detachment of British protection troops, 400 Punjabis from. Hongkong, recalling the days of the British Army’s arrival during the Boxer .rebellion, which was the last occasion on which British troops landed in China. Thousands of British people and other nationals and tens of thousands of Chinese lined the streets. Tlhe latter were awed by the former’s cheering, which drowned the Punjabis’ brass and bagpipe bands. All troops are bivonacked hi the grandstand of the racecourse in the heart of the international settlement. The situation is quiet. Proposed British plans for the defence of Shanghai are understood to include the seizure of all strategic points outside the international settlement, nob confining operations to the settlement itself, as it is considered the defence of this is not feasible should the Cantonese occupy Shanghai. It is estimated that within 50 days 20,000 Britiish forces will be in Shanghai, 900 regulars, 10,000 navail .ratings and one thousand volunteers The occupation of Chinese territory outside the foreign .settlement would be virtually an act of war, and a breach of the. treaties, demonstrating Britain’s determination and regard for the seriousness of the situation.