POWERS AND CHINA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19542, 22 January 1927, Page 9

POWERS AND CHINA.

IRECAUTIONAEY STEPS. IRITISH naval activity. OPPOSITION INFOKMED. (PAIN SENDS A CBUISER. PROTECTION OF MISSIONS. By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright. (Received 8.5 p.m.) I. nncl N.Z- LONDON, Jan. 21. In accordance with custom the Secrecy of State for Foreign Affairs, Sir tusten Chamberlain, conferred with Mr. ftamsav Mac Donald (Labour) and Mr. jjovd George (Liberal Party) separately r leaders of the Opposition. He exilained to each the position in China, specially as to the precautionary neasures which the Government is dopting. The White Star liner Megantic is being Itted out at Liverpool to convey marines b China. A message from Madrid states that the ?rime Minister, General Primo de feivera, after a long conference with his Uinisters, decided to send a Spanish (raiser to China with orders to protect religious missions. The Don Blaslezo accordingly is to proceed to Shanghai. The Madrid correspondent of the Daily fjews says a detachment of Spanish troops is also going to Shanghai. FLIGHT OF FOREIGNERS. REFUGEES CROWD SHANGHAI. j MEASURES FOR PROTECTION. and N.Z. SHANGHAI, Jan. 20. The interior of China is fast being flrained of foreign merchants and mission- •* jries. They are leaving on the instructions of the British authorities and proceeding to Hankow or to the nearest river port. They arc being picked up by British gunboats and transferred to, {Shanghai. - Thousands of foreign refugees from all parts of China are now being sheltered fcere; Britain's future moves are clouded by Uncertainty. Messages are daily received [which state that additional naval reinforcements are proceeding to China. British warships of the smaller class continue to proceed to Hankow, where the Legation secretary, Mr. 0. St. C. O'Malley, continues to negotiate with the Cantonese. Extraordinary precautions are being laken in Shanghai against "uprisings by rnobs. The authorities at the international and French settlements have barbed wire barricades erected at important street intersections, and even 12ft. jiron gates at the most important places. The construction of buildings to accommodate a large force of foreign troops (from overseas is proceeding. Certain points, particularly municipal Stilify plants, and a hotel in the heart of the settlement, have been fortified in preparation for the reception of women end. children in case of necessity. Everything points to a determined Jesistance being made by the Shanghai authorities against a repetition of the Incidents which occurred at Hankow. Industrial strikes, which are always the forerunners of riots, are already in progress. The tram services are paralysed pnd the electricity service is threatened. 1)001 OF MISSIONS. iFUTURE OUTLOOK GLOOMY. ■ •s'* • J' MANY POSTS DESERTED. and N.Z. SHANGHAI, Jan. 20. Missionary work in China is henceforth doomed. The protests of missionaries, notwithstanding the work, has suffered Sthe greatest blow in its history. All except a few "die-hards" are deleting their posts and heading for Shanghai.. The Szechv.au Province, which is regarded as the greatest field for missionary work in China, is being evacuated systematically by its 500 missionaries of all faiths. Even the so-cailed "Christian General," Feng Yu-hsiang, is hounding missionaries from the territory under his control. A few missionaries in the interior are being held by the Chinese as hostages against British reprisals. These are greatly feared by the Chinese as a result of the Hankow incident which conservative Chinese consider overstepped the bounds of international friendship.