The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. SATURDAY, JANUARY 29. 1927. SAFETY FIRST.

Hokitika Guardian, 29 January 1927, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. SATURDAY, JANUARY 29. 1927. SAFETY FIRST.

The developments taking place from the British point of view in regard to the situation in China, are evidence that the British Government is playing for safety ■ first. The existing British force in China was inadequate to deal with the position created by the Hankow incident. It became necessary to rush more troops to the situation to secure the future for British interests in China. The Government policy is on right lines. The London newspapers in the usual competitive way are making the most of the situation, and the various reports, some founded on facts and no doubt many founded on surmise, are leading to a good deal of alarm. The Government cannot place all its cards on the table at- this stage, but from what has transpired as to the general situation, it is clear

| that, the precaution for safety first is | being observed. The Government took 1 the leaders of the Dabor and Liberal 1 parties into its confidence, which was a wise thing to do. but Mr Ramsay M leDonald continues to criticise the position in such a way as to provoke a spirit of hostility in certain quarters. There is the desire evidently to make political capital out of the situation. This is very disloyal at this juncture when so much is at stake in China. With such a Prime Minister as Mr Baldwin there may be patience and confidence shown in his Icadershio at this juncture. It appears to us that a show of British force at this stage will do more to avoid a war than a

weak display as at, Hankow, where the British appeared to give in so ignominously. There was evident reason., for opposition at that- particular juncture might have meant a massacre of (be British and then the Government would have boon roundly blamed. The policy being pursued is one of discretion. which is the better part of valour so far. Britain cannot afford to have a military reverse in China of any consequence, and the great preparations now advancing is proof of that belief. So far the internal rebellion in China has seen a good deal of comic opera fighting, but a small British force such as was stationed at Hankow, surrounding by hordes of Chinese troops, might easily lie accounted for. Reinforcements arc being rushed to China, ostensibly for the defence of Shanghai, but the naval and military strength which Britain in particular will be able to marshall in China shortly, will be useful to overshadow other parts of the great territory, and "Ith the might and power available, peaceful negotiations are more likely to proceed satisfactorily. The latter is no doubt the situation the British Government is aiming at. There is sufficient cause to declare war already, but that is not the desire. The future course of events will be shaped Tii the • main by the ability of the British to defend national interests, and we may be sure the precautions in that direction will be equal to the inmiedinT- requirements. There need be no suggestion of Dominion troops at this stage. The situation is removed from that, aspect, and the safety first mol hods of the British Government arc the best assurance that the keeping of British interests is more secure under present methods than a declaration of war and a general call to arms. For that extreme step there is not any wnrrnntry.