CHINA

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 2 April 1927, Page 7

CHINA

LATE EDITION

MARINES FROM U.S.A. ARTILLERY AND ENGINEERS. THE LATEST CONTINGENT. BY CABLE— PRESS ASSOCIATION COPYRIGHT. WASHINGTON, April 1. ordered to concentrate at San Diego in Fifteen hundred marines have been readiness to proceed to China. This group is independent of the fifteen hundred already en route to San Diego for transport in the S.S. Henderson to China. The latest contingent includes three tanks, two batteries of artillery, and a company of engineers.

PRESBYTERIAN FOREIGN MISSION. RETIREMENT TO CANTON. DUNEDIN, April 2. The Presbyterian Foreign Mission has received a cablegram from Hongkong under date April 1 stating that following the consul's advice, the missionary workers at Kong Chuen retired to Canton. A former cablegram stated that the workers had returned to Kong Chuen, which is the headquarters, on March 7. It is understood that the present withdrawal is a precautionary measure, in view of the general situation, especially the NanIcing incident, and does not necessanly indicate' local disturbances.

FURTHER FORCES. TO BE SENT IF NECESSARY. AIR BOMBING POSSIBLE. BUT LITTLE MONEY FOR WAR Received 1.45 p.m. to-day.. LONDON, April 1. The Foreign Office has received no news which in any way relieves the gravity of the outlook in China. The Cabinet is meeting daily to discuss the subject. The Hon. Stanley Baldwin has decided not to depart for Chequers today, and Mr. Austen Chamberlain is spending the week-end in London. The presence of several members of the Imperial Defence Committee at the afternoon's Cabinet meeting gave Tise to reports in the evening papers of the despatch of more troops, which had been demanded for China, but this has been officially denied, though it is admitted that the Admiralty and the War Office have completed plans for the embarkation of further forces if, and when, needed. The British, American and Japanese [Ministers at Peking have already conferred and have tentatively outlined the demands which they have recommended respective Governments to make against the Cantonese, as reparation for the Nanking outrages. Great Britain does not intend to act alone, seeking agreement with Washington and Tokio before formulating a note to the Cantonese. That the Government need lose no time in presenting its demands is realised, but no inkling is available officially to what punitive steps could be taken in the event of the Cantonese rejection of the Pow-ers’-demands. Unofficially, it is suggested that Sir Hugh Trenchard's attendance at the Cabinet to-day might imply, air bombing reprisals in districts from which the officers responsible for the Nanking affair come. Everyone admits that a large scale punitive war is impossible and unprofitable, viewed from both military and commercial viewpoints, and it is very unlikely that such a course will be proposed by the Government, in face of the staggering deficit. Nevertheless, feeling in influential quarters is that the Cantonese somehow must be clearly shown that Nanking must not be repeated. A Arm attitude is regarded as most imperitive, lest worst happenings occur. Generally speaking it may be stated officially that a policy of conciliation and negotiation is at present impossible, till Nanking is atoned for. The policy outlined in Sir Austen Chamberlain's memoranda can be regarded as “temporarily adjourned."

AMERICA UNDECIDED. PROCRASTINATION POSSIBLE. Received 12.55 p.m. to-day. WASHINGTON, April 1. Following a Cabinet discussion on the Chinese situation, the Administration remains undecided whether to act alone or jointly with other Powers, with, a view to demanding a guarantee from the Nationalists for the protection of foreign lives and property. President Coolidge and Mr. Kellogg may delay their instructions to Mr Mac Murray for several days unless a sudden emergency arises. The State Department continues to study the joint draft demand prepared by Mr. Mac Murray and the British and Japanese Ministers at Peking. It is understood that the administration is ready to ask for an indemnity for the Nanking outrages, and suitable Nationalist pledges that such will not occur elsewhere. The Government, however, is not yet committed to issuing a ultimatum of a sweeping nature w r hich the British are believed to favour. ORDERS TO' AMERICANS. GENERAL EVACUATION. Received 1.45 p.m. to-rtav. SHANGHAI. April 1. The United States Minister, Mr. Mac Murray issued orders to Americans to evacuate all ports except Shanghai ;iml Shameen Island, Canton which cab be adequately defended by joint military and naval action if necessary.