AFFAIRS IN CHINA

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19350, 10 December 1924, Page 7

AFFAIRS IN CHINA

DR SUN-YAT-SEN ILL. COMMUNIST ACTIVITY. Press Association— By Telegraph—Copyright. PEKING, December 8. Dr Sun-Yat-sen is ill, and hia departure from Peking for Tientsin has been Postponed. No doubt the Bolshevists are looking to Dr Sun’s arrival as an opportunity for bringing Communism prominently forward. A number of Communist demonstrations have teen arranged. The Minister of Education has circularised the colleges warning them against mass meetings and processions when Dr Sun arrives.—Reuter. A PEACE MANIFESTO. CHANG RETURNING TO MANCHURIA. PEKING, December 8. Having promised to surrender his post of Inspector-General in the three eastern provinces, Marshal Chang-Tso-lin, in a circular telegram, cancels his expedition against General Wu-Pei-fu. He expresses pity for the killed and wounded in fighting' their own and candidly avows that the cause of the war was rivalry' between the leaders. He proposes to take all his forces back to Manchuria, and promises hereafter to obey the orders of the Central Government, thus demonstrating that he intends to live up to a policy of non-intervention in politics on the part of the militarists. —Reuter.

CHRISTIAN STUDENTS KIDNAPPED. PEKING, December 8. Thirty-eight Chinese members of the staS and students of the Canton Christian College were kidnapped on Saturday nighty ■while proceeding to the college from Canton on board a launch. Six well-dressed bandits mingled with the passengers, and at a given signal they took charge of the vessel, which was hying the American flag. The vessel was sent back with one' foreign lady and- a number of Chinese girls who were on board. All the men were token inland. —Reuter,

MORE HOPEFUL OUTLOOK. PRESENT DICTATORSHIP. HONGKONG, November 26. China seems to be settling down under the virtual dictatorship of Marshal Tuan Chi-jui, who, by general consent, has assumed the Presidency and appointed a Cabinet composed almost exclusively of his own political following Pending the results of the forthcoming round-table conference of factional leaders, Tuan functions as chief executive officer and Premier. Tang-Shao-yi has been appointed Foreign Minister. , General Feng-Yu-hsiang, who seized Peking and evicted the Emperor from his palaces, has withdrawn to the background. It is stated that he will hand over his troops to the War Ministry, and that he proposes to tour Europe and America. His treatment of the Emperor is widely disapproved. General Wu-Pei-fu is reported to be well disposed towards Marshal Tuan, some of whose chief military supporters are publicly extolling Wu-Pei-fu and urging that his 00-operation is essential. It is impossible, therefore, to regard Wu-Pei-fu’s recent establishment of a military Government at Wuchang, representing the Yang-tse and Yellow River provinces, as a serious menace. Consequently, the immediate outlook is more hopeful, but grave doubts prevail regarding the success of the round-table conference, at which Dr Sun-Yat-sen will participate. A Tokio message says: “China’s internal troubles since the institution of the Republic have been due entirely to pressure from foreigners taking advantage of the position under extra-territoriality, • said Dr Sun-Yat-sen, in interviews at Kobe.

“China to-day is relying on Japan for assistanoo in her struggle to free herself from the one-sided treaty obligations, feeling that unless Japan earnestly assists Japan herself may face trouble,” he added. “The present unfair treaties are nos only disturbers of the peace in China, but of the peace of the world.” Dr Sun-Yat-sen had a great welcome at Kobe from both Chinese and Japanese. The crowd on the wharf displayed banners entitled, “Asians unite.” The heads of the political parties who are going to Kobe to-day to consult with Dr Sun include Baron Pukuhara, leader of the Peers, and the Ken-Yukai Party and Vice-Minister of Communications; Mr Kojima, leader of the Kakushin Club and Mr Takami, secretary of the Seiyukai Party. , The Japanese press generally welcomes Dr Sun, although a section warns him against letting Sovietism creep in in Peking.