TROUBLE IN CHINA

Hokitika Guardian, 28 January 1927, Page 2

TROUBLE IN CHINA

[Australian & N.Z. Cable Association.]

BRITISH LABOUR’S VOICE

LONDON, Jan. 20

Ordering that copies of its resolution shall be cabled to Air Eugene Chen (Canton Foreign Minister) and to tho Australian and New Zealand Labour Parties ,the British National Joint Labour Council lias adopted a resolution declaring: “The Labour .Movement deplores the flaunted military demonstration against the Canton Government, because it may stir up panic ami aggression on both sides, thus rendering inevitable the misfortunes which it pretends to prevent. - '

The Labour .Movement deplores that it is likely to thwart the policy of negotiation and of an amicable .settlement on the basis of the recognition of the Chinese National Government.” “British Labourites demand the patient and honest pursuit of peaceful negotiations, freed from armed menace. for the ultimate abrogation of the present treaties, and for the immediate winding up of the conditions depending upon the existence of those treaties.” “We also send the Chinese workers are sincere sympathies and our support in their attempt to improve their economic position and to establish their country among the self-governing nations.’’ In a covering message to Air'Eugene Chen, the British Labour Council states: “Wo are, confident that you will do everything to negotiate a settlement, and In prevent incidents giving any excuse for the use of military force.”

REPLY BY FOREIGN .MINISTER LONDON, Jan. 20.

The British Joint National Labour Council’s resolution in reference to China was carried after a deputation from tho Council had visited Air Austen Chamberlain (British Foreign Secretary). who, in replying to Labour’s manifesto, recalled the British Governnfcnt’s pacific endeavours.

Sir Austen Chamberlain added: “It will be seen that the Government lias every desire for a friendly settlement. It is ready to make liberal concessions, as were foreshadowed in the British memorandum, if the Chinese desire to conduct conversations, but (he said) internal dissensions in China render the British Government’s task difficult. Disorders resulting in civil war, and dangers threatening foreigners engaged in legitimate peaceful pursuits, have obliged the Government to take necessary steps to discharge its primary duty to protect lives ”

AIOSCOW’S POLICY. LONDON, Jan. 26.

The “Daily Alail” declares that, according to Al. Bukharin. Aloseow’s policy as a maker of trouble in China, is the first organised attack against Bri-

tain. As soon as a Chinese victory is assured, China will be made a centre

of operations against Britain’s neighbouring colonies. 'The “Daily Alail” says: Tho Soviet newspaper “Pravda’’ explains that it is imperative to knock Britain about elsewhere before starting an Indian revolution. It recalls that AL lvaraklian. the former Soviet Envoy in Peking, was appointed head of the Eastern Department of the Aloseow International. The Soviet, it says, is now seeking for three classes of agitators to send to China. »Firstly, there are political agitators who are attached to Chinese personages and institutions, to advise them on political and military matters. Secondly there is the trade agitator, who is charged with the task of intensifying the. boycotts. Thirdly there is the Labour leader, to organise tlie Chinese workers into militant un-

ions. Batches of young Chinese graduates are also going to, China from .Moscow. Some are from the Soviet’s Sun Ynt Sen. Universn., . The newspaper “Pravda” adds that regiments marching from Canton have been trained in famous Aloseow military schools. The “Daily Alail” adds that Aloseow fears that a British peace with China will mean the destruction of all Soviet plans against Britain.

TROOPS KAIBARK FROAI INDIA. DELHI. Jan.’ 27. T lie Second Durhams Regiment embarked to-day at Calcutta fur China. Iwo Indian battalions will sail on Sunday. LONDON, Jan. 26. The Army Aledieal Corns is despatching a general hospital, field ambulance, and a hygienic section for the treatouint of infectious diseases. HONG KONG- DEATH SENTENCES. HONG KONG. Jan. 27. Six were sentenced to death in connection with fhe Sunning piracy on Aov. 1 1 th. last. The remainder were discharged.

SOME OFFERS TO KXLTST CHRISTCHURCH. Jan “7 A lew ex-service men have made enquiries at the Defence headquarters, or have oflered to enlist for service in China. Some of the enquiries have come ami men out of work, but others are I™" m “ n 111 permanent, well-paid positions. '

. LONDON, .Tan. 20. w Recruiting Office i„ Whitehall has been besieged bv arm l !- cants. ' 11

At the Army General Recruiting Office there is a queue of inquirers as in the early davs of the Great War. The War Office announces that it has received hundreds of applications from c.\-(ifficcrs and members of the Reserve of Officers for service in China, but they are not required.

N.Z. LEGION OF FRONTIERSMEN WELLINGTON. Jan. 27. regarding the Legion of Frontiersmen s offer of 200 men for service in China, the Acting-Premier (Air Stcw.ut) has telegrahed to Lieutenlant-Col-onel Claude Weston. New Plymouth as follows:

Many thanks for your telegram asking me to transmit to the Imperial Government on offer of 200 trained frontiersmen for service in China. I . not think the position has yet become sufficiently acute, or critical, to necessitate consideration of the despatch of Xew Zealand volunteers to China, miloss requested to do so by the Imperial C*o\ernniont. i suggest 1 1n:it vour genorou s offer be held in abeyance ponding further developments.”

DOMINION TROOPS XOT BEING SOUGHT. LONDON. Jan. 27. It is learned authoritatively that all the suggestions that Australia has been invited to send forces to China can be dismissed as entirely lacking any foundation. Australia, in common with all the Dominions, has been fully informed regarding the British negotiations, but nothing further has even been hinted at.

1 hough some Loudon newspapers continue to throw out hints that some such invitation lie- been sent out to Australia and New Zealand, as the nearest Dominions to China, official circles, unlike these sections of the London press, realise th.it there are no standing armies n Australia and New Zealand ready to despatch to China ■t short notice. It is recognised that in the event of there being a much more serious development of the Chinese troubles. it would probably be all over before Australia and New Zealand could go through the lengthy process of giving ParlinmenViry ratification to participation. and through the recruiting of volunteer forces and equipping and transporting them.

O’MALLEY’S ACTION,

LONDON, Jan. 27. ft is officially emphasised that Air O’Afalley has not .submitted any new proposals at Hankow representing a change in Britain’s policy. Air O’Alalley has simply no-.v concluded a preliminary investigation o the situation. Air O’Malley now feels , that the phvchological moment has arrived for Ids making definite proposals in accordance with the British memorandum.