BRITISH OFFER TO CHINA

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19550, 1 February 1927, Page 11

BRITISH OFFER TO CHINA

POLICY JUSTIFIED. MODERATE LABOUR VIEW. DELICACY OF SITUATION. PBECAUTIONS APPROVED. SPEECH BY ME. THOMAS. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. (Received Jan. 31, 6.25 p.m.) A. and N.Z. LONDON, Jan. 31. The situation in China was referred to by Mr. J. H. Thomas, M.P., general secretary of the National Union of Railwaymen, in a speech at Newton Abbott. The speaker said wars in the past had often been started by incidents over which no one in particular had any control. It must be hoped that notwithstanding the fact that Britain was sending troops to China no unforeseen incident would precipitate war. This was not an occasion when any Leader of the Opposition take advantage of the situation with a view of exploiting the sins of the Government. A challenge to the Government might be appreciated at home, but it might precipitate a grave international crisis abroad. The Chinese difficulty was not a new one. It was the inevitable consequence of the growth of Chinese thought, the development of her civilisation and her demand for emancipation, and the facts must be faced. The situation was capable of adjustments The only dagger would be if either party started paying: "This is our last word." The situation was too delicate and too serious for that. Personally, said M;r. Thomas, he could quite understand apprehension about, and even resentment against, the embarkation of troops, but he did not subscribe to that view. He thought it was for the Governments of the day, with its fuller knowledge and responsibility, to determine whether the necessity had arisen for troops to be sent to protect British nationals. Mr. Thomas said he would prefer to see a large army sent to China rather than a handful of troops. A large force was likely to be a protection and to prei Vent war. They could not afford to ignore Britain's trade with China. They would suffer very much if they lost it. . The newspapers commend Mr. Thomas for his courage in'voicing the opinion of moderate Labour in connection with the China problem. They also remark favourably on the tone and substance of the speech made by Sir Austen Chamberlain, Foreign Secretary, at Birmingham. BRITAIN SUPPORTED. OPINION IN AMERICA. STATEMENT WELL RECEIVED. (Received Jan. 31, 9.14 p.m.) A. and N.Z. -WASHINGTON, Jar.. 31. The view generally expressed in official quarters in Washington as to the statement on the Chinese position made by Sir Austen Chamberlain, British Foreign Secretary, is that it goes as far as Britain can reasonably be expected to go, even by the Cantonese authorities. Sir Austen's action is strongly commended. His outline of the position of Britain is considered to be reassuring, and it is thought that it should disarm much of the anti-British feeling in China, Official and diplomatic persons in Washington now therefore look with renewed hope on the Chinese situation'. It is thought that the European Powers may now be able to avoid the use of force in. the protection of their nationals. BRITISH NAVAL FORCE. FRENCH PAPER'S COMMENT. CRITICISM . OF POLICY. A. and N.Z. IPAHIS, Jan. 30 Commenting on the situation in China Le Temps says it is the duty of all the Powers to protect the lives and properties of their nationals, but it may be asked whether the concentration of such large British forces in Chinese waters does not ■exceed the merits of the case. The bestintentjoned Government with such powerful means at its disposal might be tempted to use them purely for political purposes. CHINESE CHRISTIANS. ANTI-FOREIGN MANIFESTO. WISH TO BECOME CROMWELLS. SHANGHAI, Jan. 19. A new turn has been given to the antiforeign movement in China by the publication of a manifesto by the Christian China Continuation Committee at Wuhan. " After reference to Christ as a "great revolutionary force," the document states: Imperialism is not only the worst enemy of the people but also of Christianity. In support of this statement, the false allegation is made that at Hongkong the Government has prohibited the importation of religious literature, and that Christianity has been attacked by the Imperialists in their homelands. Consequently, it says, the Chinese Christians are straggling, not only for the emancipation of their own people, but also for "the emancipation of our religion." The document further states: Should there be any foreign missionaries who love their own countries more than they love Christ, and who are unwilling to help us in our national revolution o,f the moment, We wish them to go back to their own countries as soon as possible. After stating that its aim is the independence of the Christian church in China from foreign control, the manifesto proceeds,: " We recognise the anti-Christian movement as our candid friend," and concludes by expressing the hope that Chinese Christians would save their country, as diid Cromwell, and_ would not fellow the example of Judas. The North China Daily News, in an editorial, points oat that the Wuhan Christians claim to be the candid friends of bandits who put maa, ivomsa and child to the sword, and of the mobs who desecrate foreign graves, violently s«ize foreign hospitals and colleges, attack priests and nuns, and even abducft Chinese orphan girls. In a comment on the relations between the National Christian Council, and tfee China Continuation 'Committee, the News asks whether the former, mainly a foreign body of missionaries, condemns the manifesto, or whether, it win continue si.-, timeserving tactics at. betraying fellowqatiseals, who are also leßow-Christiaas.