BRITAIN AND CHINA

Northern Advocate, 31 January 1927, Page 4

BRITAIN AND CHINA

Any belief that Britain is actuated by a desire for an Imperialistic war against China must have been dissipated by the British Foreign Secretary, Sir Austen Chamberlain, in the course of a notable speech at Birmingham. This official exposition of Britain’s policy towards China was overdue. From time to time there have been unofficial announcements regarding Britain’s pacific intentions, but the martial atmosphere created by the despatch of ships, men and guns has not tended to clothe those announcements in the garb of credibility. Furthermore, the Foreign Office has maintained an attitude of silence which has served to arouse suspicion. Sir Austen Chamberlain, however, has declared definitely Britain’s willingness to make far-reaching abrogations of treaty rights. This offer is made to Northern and to Southern China, and, as a perusal of our cable columns will show, it breathes a spirit of conciliation and magnanimity very far (.removed from the jingoism with which [Britain has been charged. Whether the Beds will allow the Chinese, to accept Britain’s offer in the spirit in which it is made remains to be seen. However, there will be a general reechoing of Sir Austen Chamberlain's vconcluding words; “I hape fresh incidents will not arise -to prevent ■ a peaceful settlement, thus placing An-glo-Chinese relations on a permanent basis of mutual respect and goodfeeling. ’ ’