SITUATION IN CHINA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20239, 26 April 1929, Page 13

SITUATION IN CHINA.

FOREIGNERS THREATENED* PROBLEM FOR THE JAPANESEHONGKONG, April 18. Foreigners are again threatened in China, according to a report from Chang* sha, the capital of the province of Hunan* A naval wireless message states that ai shallow draft tug, manned by ratings from the British gunboat Widgeon, accompanied by the British Consul, is now; endeavouring to evacuate the foreign; residents.

It is hoped that a rise in the waters of the river Siangkiang will allow tha rescue party to reach its objective in two days.

The Nanking Government decided today to deny the use of the mails to the North China Daily News, on the ground that the paper's policy wfts against tha Kuomintang (Nationalist Party). In order to prevent its circulation in the principal ports as freight Customs officials have been ordered to search outgoing steamers bound for Chinese ports, and to seize papers despatched in bulk. Representations are also being made to the American Minister demanding that he order George Sokolosky, a newspaper correspondent, to leave China. A message from Kobe, Japan, says rumours were prevalent some time ago that procrastination in the removal of Japanese troops from Shantung had been arranged by an understanding between Japan and the Nanking (Nationalist) Government; but- they were_generaily discredited, especially when the Prime Minister of Japan, Baron Tanaka, gave an unalterable data for the withdrawal of the troops. The rumour now proves to have beett correct, a postponement having been announced. The Nanking Government, fearing thai the Christian general, Feng Yu-hsiang, will walk in as the Japanese withdraw, has notified Japan that it is not ready to take the responsibility, thus furnishing a reason for the postponement, while Nanking makes the necessary arrangements for converting the pro-Feng troops. Feng and the Nationalist leader, Marshal Chiang Kai-shek, have each appointed their own men to the Mayoralty of Tsingtao. The formal reason for the procrastina* tion is the protection of Japanese citizens, but actually it is difficult to reconcil# with the doctrine of non-interference. The brevity of the postponement is accordingly emphasised.