FUTURE RELATIONS

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 5 February 1927, Page 5

FUTURE RELATIONS

CHINESE PROPOSALS. RECEIVED BY JAPAN. REGARDED FAVOURABLY. BY CABLE-PRESS ASSOCIATION-COPY RIGHT. Received 10.20 a.m. to-day. TOKIO, Peb. 4. The Foreign Office is now considering the Peking draft of a treaty in which China frankly sets out her desires regarding future relations. It is understood the Government regards the draft as wholly negotiable. China’s proposals are drastic, but nevertheless there is reason to believe that they will _bo generally acceptable. Final decision depends on the outcome- of the AngloSino situation. Well-informed circles now fear complications at Shanghai, pointing out the simultaneous and united protests received from Peking. Shanghai and Hankow against the invasion of the British defence forces. Notwithstanding the pro-British movement in the Upper House seeking active naval and military co-operation, the Government position is being adamantly maintained. SUPERSTITIOUS CHINESE. 4 FEAR CALAMITY COMING. EARTHQUAKE SHOCKS AND OTHER HAPPENINGS. BY CABLE—PRESS ASSOCIATION-COPYRIGHT. LONDON, Feb. 3. The Shanghai correspondent of the Daily Express, in a special cable message, states that the earth tremors, coming at the period of the New Year celebrations, have thrown - the superstitious Chinese into a state of consternation. These earth manifestations are regarded as foreshadowing a change of the Chinese Dynasty and serious misfortune to the country. This, with the British troops streaming into China and the country in the throes of civil war, causes the .Chinese to fear that they are on the eve of a terrible calamity. Almost immediately- after the second shock, a tireworks display from thousands of sampans lying at Whangpoo, which had been kept up incessantly for two days, came to an abrupt end and the river became as silent as death. The general atmosphere at Shanghai at present, with the newspapers and with rumour running riot, is tenser than at any time since the events at Hankow. INTERCESSION SERVICES PROPOSED. . ' LONDON, Eeb. 3. The Archbishops of Canterbury and York, and the president of the National Council of Evangelical Free Churches urge all the clergy to hold special intercession services on February 6 for a peaceful and honourable settlement of the Anglo-Chinese differences. SITUATION QUIETER. CAUSING NO GRAVE CONCERN. LONDON, Feb. 3. It is unlikely that there will be any further development in the .Chinese situation until after to-morrow’s Cabinet meeting. Meanwhile official circles consider the position occasions no grave concern. The armies are reported to be no nearer to Shanghai, and the town is in no danger of immediate attack. The residents are satisfied that the protective troops already there will be able- to deal with any mob violence. There is still hope that Chen will eventually find Britain’s terms acceptable. Apparently the somewhat more optimistic tone to-day is due to Chen’s difficulty that he has no munitions and no money. Even if he rejects terms he will be powerless to carry on for a prolonged period. The hope is. expressed that he will eventually disregard Moscow. LABOUR. COUNCIL’S MESSAGE TO MR, CHEN. Received 9.50 a.m. to-day. LONDON, Feb. 4. The National Joint Labour Council telegraphed to Mr Chen expressing gratification at his assurance that their message had enabled the continuation of negotiations, which the Labour Party firmly supported and hopes the parties concerned will make possible. J AN UNCONFIRMED REPORT. ABROGATION OF ANGLO-RUS-STAN TREATY. ' LONDON, Feb. 4. Reports are being circulated in Russian circles in London that. the British Government is contemplating the- abrogation of the Anglo-Russian trade agreement in view of Russian interest in the affairs of the Government of Southern China, hut no confirmation of the reports is obtainable in authoritative British circles. THE CHINESE WAY. STREET. G ITILLOTTNTC. THE EXECUTIONER’S KNIFE. SHANGHAI, Feb. 2. Despite Marshal Sun Ohuan Fang s censorship around Shanghai . .and the Nationalists’ wilful tampering with (messages from Hankow, it is now fairly certain that recently Marshal Sun encountered the Cantonese some distance south of Hangchow and sustained a considerable defeat The hurried movement of railway rolling-stock from Shanghai southwards, it is reported, is for the purpose of assisting the re-

treat to Shanghai. A venture beyond Hangchow was not in Sun’,s original scheme. Meantime, in the environs of Shanghai the Chinese are maintaining a cuifew. Search parties patrol the streets at all hours of the night, accompanied by an executioner with a huge, heavy knife. Persons resisting 'the .search or refusing to give information briskly are summarily executed. At Nanking, where from 30 to 40 persons have thus been executed in the la.st few months, heads have been exposed in ditfernt of The -'i+y. RUSSIAN SNUBBED. ■SOUTHERNER WINS A POINT. SHANGHAI, Feb. 2. The struggle between. M. Borodin, the Russian adviser of the Cantonese and the Southern leader. General Ohiang Knishek, resulted in a victory for the military leader. General Ohiang insisted that the capital of the Nationalist Government should be Nanehang, and the political bureau agreed, but insisted that the branch offices of the Ministries of Finance, Foreign Affairs and Communications should be at Hankow. Three Ministries are still under Borodin’s domination. Ohiang’s victory' indicates a weakening of power of the left wing, but. does not indicate any hope for foreigners, as, regarding international relations, he is apparently following the same programme as the extremists. ITALY SUPPORTS BRITISH POLICY. Received 9.50 a.m. to-day. ROME, Feb. 4. It is reported that Italy has sent a Note, to the British Government endorsing the latter’s Chinese policy, and maintaining the rights of the Pow’ers to defend their interests in China.