CHEN DALLYING FOR CONCESSIONS

Manawatu Times, Volume LII, Issue 3537, 19 February 1927, Page 9

CHEN DALLYING FOR CONCESSIONS

De Jure Recognition of Canton Government AND NO MORE TROOPS FOR SHANGHAI (By Electric Cable—Copyright] (Aiiat. and N.Z. Cable Association, j (Received Friday. 7.10 p.m.) LONDON, Feb. 18, Conviction is growing in London says the “Daily Telegraph’s” diplomatic correspondent, that whether independently or under Bolshevist pressure Mr. Chen is playing a deep game. With General Sun Chuan-fang in lull retreat and the Cantonese army rearing Shanghai Mr Chen evidently thinks the time has arrived to blackmail the British Government into concessions. Hence he is seeking to extract from the British Government: The de Jure recognition of the Cantonese as the Government of China. An explicit pledge that no further British troops shall be landed at Shanghai in addition to the brigade and details already embarked. It ig extremely unlikely that the British Government will take the risks involved in the second demand. The correspondent adds that numerous ships, many of them German, are busy loading arms and munitions In Odessa for delivery in China, CANTONESE ADVANCE NOT ANTICIPATED. FRESH CONSIDERATION OF PROBLEM NECESSARY. (Received Friday, 7.10 p.m.) LONDON. Feb. 18. The “Dally Chronicle’s” diplomatic correspondent says it is understood that news received by Cabinet indicated that the advance of the Cantonese troops was more rapid than expected, requiring a fresh consideration of the problem of the defence of ' Britishers in Shanghai since General Sun Chuan-fang’s forces were likely to fall back on Sang Kiang which is only forty miles from Shanghai. It was stated that no alarming developments had .been reported and that additional measures to be taken In view of the Cantonese advance were merely precautionary. VALUE OF GOVERNMENT’S FORESIGHT. NECESSARY TO SAVE PROPERTY AND UVES, (Received Friday, 10.55 p.m.) LONDON, Feb. 17. The Cantonese aided by Russian machine-gun Instructors and advisers heavily defeated the Northerners, said Col. L. C. Amery. the Dominions’ Secretary, , speaking at Hackney. The defeated rabble and the elated victors might soon be pouring towards centres which British enterprise had built up resulting in the possibility of looting, plundering and massacre at Shanghai If the Government seeing the danger had not sent troops to protect British life and property.. He added It was not the Government but the Labour clique sending telegrams as though. they were in charge of the Foreign Office which had interfered In Chinese affairs. HOPES THAT NORTHERNERS WILL STldil ADVANCE. MORE BRITISH TROOPS ARRIVE (Received Friday, 10.55 p.m.) PEKING, Feb. 18. The Cantonese surrounded Hangchow with lightning rapidity compelling the antl-Reds to retreat to the second line of defence thirty miles nearer Shanghai where it Is hoped they will hold op the advance pending the arrival of tho Shantung forces which It is reported have been asked to assist to stem the Reds’ advance on Shanghai Another battalion of Punjabis from India has ; arrived, with hospital, artillery sections, and a hundred pack mules. The Suffolks are due shortly from Hongkong and will complete the present quota. The Nationalist news agency at Hankow says that it is authoritatively denied that the O’Malley-Chen negotiations have broken down, Chen saying he l s ready now to sign an agreement regarding the British Concession at Hankow. The agency adds that it is understood that the Nationalist Government view a the recent declaration of Sir Austen Chamberlain regarding the deflection ol British troops to Hongkong as the basis whereupon the Nationalists may proceed to the conclusion of the Hankow agreement, NO CHANGE IN CHINA POLICY. (Received Saturday, 1 a.m.) LONDON, Feb. 18, The ‘‘Dally Mall” says that a Cabinet meeting decided for no startling change in the China policy even if the advance on Shanghai becomes more rapid. It is satisfied that available, forces aro adequate for British protection.