CHINESE TROUBLE

Hokitika Guardian, 31 January 1927, Page 3

CHINESE TROUBLE

[Australia & N.Z. Cable Association.] THE POLICY EXPLAINED. (Received this day at 10.15 a.in.) LONDON, Jan. -’O. Sir A. Chamberlain added : Fourtl?ire are prepared to enter into local arrangements according to the particular circumstances each part either for amalgamation or administration with adjacent areas under Chinese control, of either method, handing over administration to China, while assuring a British voice in municipal matters. He added: I said in 1.025 that we would meet China half way. This programme goes much further but it is the right and wise course, not only in the present circumstances, hut for the next century. The proposals can he enforced by Britain’s unilateral action, hut a N new Treaty is impossible at the moment. owing to the civil war. Britain ~ /nltinot recognise the Cantonese Government as the Government of one part, because she thereby recognises a division of China, which every Chinese, of whatever party, would resent. She also cannot recognise Cantonese representa-

4T ting the whole of China because they control only one third of the population. There is the further difficulty of dealing with the Nationalists. Their deliberate persistent utilisation of the anti-British war cry for the purpose of rallying adverts round their simple and easily comprehensive banner “Down with the British,” which is repeated China wide, and in Chinese communities abroad. This was undoubtedly the most dangerous factor. The situation is used to arouse the. mob to anti-Bri - tish fury, ft remains to be seen whether the nationalists are able unci willing to control the mobs. Sir A. Chamberlain recalled the Canton and Shanghai riots in 1925. which were - used to create a boycott of British goods and anti-British propaganda. Me declared the mob violence at. Hankow was designed to force the British to fire on unarmed Chinese, causing an incident arousing all China and further “-feeding the flames of the anti-British campaign. The seizure of IlankowKiukiang concessions outrages were unjustifiable. The attack on. long established rights of a peaceful British community proved presently there was no guarantee of safety of British lives, under the Cantonese. He pointed out that while the evacuation of Hankow and Kiuang was possible at short notice, a speedy evacuation of Shanghai was impossible. I do not sav the threat of bloodshed and massacre overshadows Shanghai. I hope and believe it does not, but it would be a dereliction of duty to leave British Shanghai unprotected after the events at Haukchv. Shanghai defence force is merely a precautionary composition, which showed it was designed strictly to hold Shanghai. If we obtain satisfactory assistance, events at Hankow will not he deflected. The policy of patient conciliation, therefore, is welcome. Clien’s desire for a settlement refrains from a controversy oil his account of past history. Chamberlain added that the talk of British Imperialism in China is nonsense. The British are a nation of shop-keepers and in the fareast want to keep their shops on good terms with their customers, hoping for united orderly prosperous China. He declared that China for the Chinese is a reasonable cry, hut kill and drive out. the British are ravings of mad hatred, f hope fresh incidents do not arise to prevent a pcacefuPsettlement, placing Anglo-Chinese relations on a permanent basis, with dual respect and good feeling.

POSITION CLEARED UP. LONDON. Jan. 30. Tito China situation has been wonderfully cleared up hv the frank speech of Sir A. Chamberlain at Birmingham last evening, in which ho disclosed the terms of the British offer and ex'tho motives behind the niili*Tary measures. The speech was too . late for editorial comment in . the Sunday papers, but headlines and notes by political writers indicate appreciation of Sir A. Chamberlain's frankness, which was most timely in view of the Labourites reparation for demonstrations throughout the whole country. As a. matter of fact the uneasiness was not confined to labourites. The whole country lias been somewhat, disturbed lately by what appeared to be ail outbreak of militarism. ' It is learned there has been a good deal of criticism in tho Foreign Office circles concerning the War Office’s publicity methods over military actions, 'flic Labourites chief complaint when they saw Sir A. \ dtkmherlnin was that the despatch of } warships and troops had been announe-

• ed with such a wealth of photographic l and other press publicity as to give / tho impression that the War Lords were seeking to over ride the Foreign Oflico and create a war fever in the public mind, and labour bad been informed of the British policy and had fully approved of the conciliatorincss of its offers to China, but the nnnuncernent of military Steps had been miide in such a. manner as proved the fears in labour circles and these led to preparations for anti-war demonstrations throughout the country. Hence the ministerial wrath with the \Y:ir » Office. Meantime the best of informed

people ni'o satisfied with the immediate v— outlook and consider the promptness with which Britain has shown she is not Muffing, but is determined tr> ho ready to defend the interests of lives mid property, combined with a generous offer to negotiate, may be all that is necessary to yield a satisfactory settlement by unhurried negotiations. The statement is persistently cropping up in reliablo diplomatic land other circles that one of the Cantonese demands will 1)0 the absolute equality of, their nationals throughout the world including the right to Australia on the same footing ws other foreigners. PATHS, Jan. 30. “Be Temps’’ regards the British proto Chen as affording the hope that a grave conflict will be definitely averted.

LLOYD GEORGE’S VIEWS. LONDON. Jan. 30

“Sir Austen Chamberlain lias shown courage and wisdom in the moderation of the Chinese policy but other members of the Cabinet became excited the moment they hoard the word war,”’ said Air J-loyd George at Birmingham. Tie added that Hon. Amery who had been outlining the Government’s limits <>l concession, was small but wdddcd with explosive material. He blew lip the Baidu in Government but this explosive atom riuld not be permitted to blow up the country. Although the Government must protect British lives, it. should not let Expeditions go interfering. Britain should lead the way by giving China justice. Chinn was an invaluable market for Britain. I do not want to see the Union Jack flying oiei empty warehouses. SEND OFFTOGUABDS. LONDON, Ja.ii. 29. London gave a lieartv send off to the Second Battalion of Coldstream Guards on their departure for China. A crowd of women relatives stormed the Barricades at Waterloo Station and succeeded in gaining the platform. There were the usrfal affecting scenes as the train steamed out. A FRENCH VIEW. PARIS. Jan. 30. “Le Temps’’ comments: li lt is the duty of all Powers to protect the lives ami property of their nationals, but it may Ik: asked whether the conccntiation of such large British forces in Chinese waters does not exceed the merits of the case. The best intenfToned Government with such a powerful means at its disposal may be tempted to use them purely for political purposes.”