BRITAIN AND CANTONESE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19607, 8 April 1927, Page 11

BRITAIN AND CANTONESE.

POLICY NOT ALTERED. NEGOTIATION IMPOSSIBLE. ATTITUDE MUST BE DECLARED. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. (British Official Wireless.) (Received April 7, 6.5 p.m.) A. nnd N.Z. RUGBY, April 6. , In his review in the House of Commons of the situation in China Sir Austen Chamberlain said Britain had no interest in China except for British people to live on terms of peace and friendship with the Chinese people. The latter had no other interest than to live on terms of peace and friendliness with the British. The Foreign Secretary said he was sure the Chinese would he glad to do this if they were allowed to. But, in the face of a Government which either could not control, or woulcl not control, its troops and which could not protect the foreigners within its gates or would not protect them, Britain must take such precautions as she could for the protection of her own people who were pursuing their lawful vocation. This was the primary duty which the Government must discharge, and to enable it to do so it had been thought necessary to send out further reinforcements. Cantonese and Their Misdeeds. " Why should we be suspected of taking a lead in anything of a military ycharacter ?" asked the Minister. "We have taken a lead in efforts to negotiate, and in the most libera] policy ever proposed. " We have earnestly sought to settle this difficult question in a friendly spirit and to recognise all that is legitimate in Chinese national aspirations, also to allow an opportunity of forming the foundations of peaceful relations with the Chinese people. " But how can we negotiate with the Cantonese Government in the faco of the outrages at Nanking, in the face of that Government's failure to give protection at Hankow, in tho face of its failure to give* protection at any one of the other places I have named,. or to do anything to prevent anti-foreign propaganda and to prevent the cry of ' Kill the Christians and the foreigners.' Demands of the Powers. " We must have existing in China an authority which will not only undertake to protect lives, but will be in a position to do so and will exercise-that power, before we can run any further risks with tho lives and interests of British subjects," continued Sir Austen. " Nevertheless, our policy remains the same. We recognise that the old treaties are out of date, and we must move forward with the new machine, but the Chinese must move too, and concurrently with us. " Before we can carry this policy any further we must know what is to be the attitude of the responsible Chinese authorities as regards the outrages committed at Nanking." Sir Austen added that he thought it might be a day or two before the demands of the Powers would be presented to the* Nationalists STEIKE AND BOYCOTT. YANGTSE VALLEY PERIL. JAPANESE ADMIRAL'S OATH. A. and N.Z. SHANGHAI, April 6. A general strike and a boycott against all foreign goods throughout the entire Yangtse Valley have commenced, and the situation is rapidly becoming more grave. All Japanese subjects are evacuating the Yangtse Valley. Warships of the various Powers' Asiatic fleets are being rushed to the important ports, 'and a large fleet is being concentrated at Hankow. The Japanese Admiral at Hankow has sworn on his word of honour to prevent the Chinese trespassing in the Japanese concession. He hass promised to maintain the dignity of the Imperial Japanese Navy. The present, strength of the Japanese landing party at Hankow is 300. It is being hurriedly reinforced. The cruiser T«ntyu is on the way to the port.