COMMONS DEBATE CHINA’S PROBLEMS

Manawatu Times, Volume LII, Issue 3540, 23 February 1927, Page 7

COMMONS DEBATE CHINA’S PROBLEMS

Chen in Agreement With British Scheme BUT PROTESTS AGAINST LANDING OF TROOPS [By Electric Cable—Copyright.] and N.L. Cable Asioclallon.} (Received Tuesday ,45 p.m) • ’ LONDON. Feb. 21. In the House of Commons. Sir Austen Chamberlain, replying to a aeries of questions relating to China said Britain’s aim was to negotiate treaties on a basis leading ultimately to complete equality and reciprocity. The'new administrative body at Hankow would be modelled on the existing one and would consist c£ iioth Chinese and British, the" Chinese having a casting vote in this respect. It would be a similar body to the Klukiang. body. He had no definite news as to what arrangements the Pekin Government was making to collect Customs, but the Cantonese disputed Pekin’s right to exercise authority belonging to the Central Government Britain’s recent proposals to China provided that Britons there would be liable to regular Chinese taxation, not involving discrimination against British subjects and goods as was in fact Imposed • upon Chinese citizens throughout China. The Position at Shanghai. Dealing with the position in and around Shanghai, Sir Austen Chamberlain said the latest reports show that General Sun Chuan-Fang’s troops were evacuating Hangchow, but at present there was no confirmation that Cantonese had occupied the city. It was,:believed that. General Sun-Chuan-Fang Intended to occupy a defensive position based on Hashing, 55 miles from. Shanghai. - The - general strike, Involving the Post Office, essential services and coV ton /mills began on the 19th. The movement was reported to be spreading.: nut at present there was little disorder. He was satisfied that British lives and property would be sufficiently protected In all circumstances, which was considered within the bounds of possibility.

Hankow .Agreement Discussed. In a later statement, Sir Austen Chamberlain outlined the terms of the' Hankow agreement In which connection Mr. Chen'wrote to Mr. O’Mallej intimating the promulgation of certain regulations,:...the terms of T which the Foreign Office was at present not aware. • E’: ■Mr. O’Malley, replied, assuring Mr. Chen Britain would do all in her power to complement and assure the successful operation of the scheme, adding so far as the British author!* tleai Were concerned that Chinese cltirenq would enjoy the same rights as British .subjects ,ih the. area. ' " " My. 'Chen replied the Chinese authorities on their part would do the same, and there would be no dlscrlmlnation against British interests in tha district.' Mr. Chen proceeded to make a lengthy declaration concerning the settlement , of outstanding questions with foreign powers by” negotiation and agreement. This Implicitly applied and vras intended to apply to changes • In the status '.of the Concessions and international- settlements, and necessity ineant the Nationalist Government •; policy was not' to use force or countenance its-use. But the Nationalists laid down that the changes were of such vital Importance that no local or other Chinese’authorities except the Nationalist Government, can negotiate with Foreign Powers in respect thereto.- . Britain Willing to Negotiate. Mr. O’Malley’s reply taking note of the foregoing, especially the final clause, said His Majesty’s Government cannot bind itself to refuse to enter into negotiations with Chinese officials In any part of China in regard to matters arising in areas where such officials are actually exercising de facto authority. ’ i Sir Austen Chamberlain said he was not certain whether this was embodied in a letter or in a declaration. ■■■' ' Mr. Chen earlier announced that a modification of the original plan for concentrating British forced at Shanghai as announced by Sir. Austen Chamberlain, was regarded by the Nationalist Government as a concession which made it possible to sign the Hankow agreement. Mr. Chen added that as this Is without legal justification, the Nationalist Government , protested, agaiiat'the landing and trespass of British 7 troops at Shanghai even for the Strictly-limited purposes stated by Sir Austen Chamberlain. Mr. Chen further declared the Hankow settlement was not Intended to servo as a precedent for the future status of any British or other Concession. Sir Austen Chamberlain said he Instructed Mr O’Malley to make it clear to Mr Chen-that Britain reserved full power to dispose of troops ' as may be necessary for the protection of British lives at Shanghai. r Other Members Speak. Mr J. R. Clynes (Labour) Clanked Sir Austen Chamberlain for his statement and welcomed the announcement that outstanding questions would’ be settled by negotiations. Mr Lloyd George offered the. warmest congratulations and asked whether negotiations had been opened either with Pekin or local authorities, in respect of the Shanghai Concession. Sir Austen Chamberlain said that negotiations had been opened with the Pekin Government to whom Sir Miles Lampson had made a declaration similar to that made to Mr Chen, at the same time reserving the right to negotiate with the de facto authorities In any part of China. We could not deal with the Shanghai inter- . national settlement in the same way as we could with Concessions belonging to ua. Mr E. Thurtlo (Labour) asked; "‘Will the Government suggest to the other Powers that they appoint plenary representatives to consider * what steps might be taken In case certain eventualities' should arise?” ' Sir Austen Chamberlain replied: "‘The less said about eventualities

which we hope may not arise * the better.” ,r MORE FORCES FOR SHANGHAI. INCLUDE JAPANESE AND AMERICAN. (Received Tuesday, 8.15 p.m.) SHANGHAI, Feb. 21. The Second Battalion of Suffolks has arrived. Meanwhile the Punjabis are returning to Hong Kong. The Suffolks complete the Indian Brigade of about 4500 men. The Punjabis comprise part of the regular Hong Kong Garrison and camo here merely as a precautionary measure until the arrival of the others. A Japanese cruiser and four destroyers have arrived with 300 marines. Three American destroyers are duo at any moment from Manila, and the transport Chaumont carrying 1200 marines from Sandiego is due on February 24. AMERICA SEEKS NEW TREATIES TO REPLACE OLD ARRANGEMENTS. (Received Tuesday, 11.30 p.m.) WASHINGTON. Feb. 21. The House of Representatives adopted a resolution requesting the President to enter into negotiations with the Chinese Republic to place treaties relating 1 to China's tariff autonomy, extra-territoriality, and other questions on an equal and reciprocal basis. The new treaties would replace the old arrangments' existing for two centuries.