THE CHINESE CHAOS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20039, 4 March 1927, Page 9

THE CHINESE CHAOS

SITUATION AT SHANGHAI. ADVANCE OF CANTONESE. AN AIR OF EXPECTANCY. IMPORTANT EVENTS AWAITED. (Tress Association—By Telegraph—Copyright.) SHANGHAI, March 2. (Received March 3, at 8 p.m.) Little of importance has happened since Saturday. The general impression is that an event of the first magnitude is imminent. Every Shanghai resident is watching the Cantonese executing mysterious military movements at a distance of 40 miles. It is impossible to anticipate from which angle they intend striking. It is believed that they have abandoned a direct advance by the railway, which is effectively blocked by both the anti-Rcds and the British. Three miles outside the Settlement the British are disarming every soldier who is entering the area. The Cantonese are expected to utilise the dozens of canals leading to Shanghai, simultaneously with a movement to cut off the Shantung forces by seizing the Nanking railway. One of the leading generals of Sun Chuang-fang’s army has joined the Cantonese, and others arc expected to do so. Being mercenaries, the Cantonese are reputed to be prompt payers. The foreigners in Shanghai are between the devil and the deep sea in reality. In order to allay possible fears the British forces parade daily in the ttlcment for the dual purpose of stimulating the confidence of the foreigners and impressing the natives with the power of the defenders. —A. and N.Z. Cable. THE BRITISH FORCES. DISPOSAL BEYOND CONCESSION. MINISTER REPLIES TO QUESTIONS. LONDON, March 2. Sir Austen Chamberlain told Mr J. M. Kenworthy (Lab.) in the House of Commons that it was not in th" public interest to state what instructions had been given to the British commanders at Shanghai regarding the occupation of Chinese territory outside the concessions. He had not received detailed reports of the circumstances of the advance of the British troops beyond the Concession, and the representatives of the Chinese had not protested against the act. Mr G. Lansbury (Lab.) : “Does the Government consider that it has a • right to land troops in any country?” Sir Austen Chamberlain: “Yes, when the Government of the country is unable to protect our nationals. Mr Lansbury: “Can the Government's policy be best expressed in BcthmannHollwegg’s statement ‘Necessity knows no law’?” Sir Austen Chamberlain did not answer. He told other questioners that in view of the delicate situation ut Shanghai, British troops had taken up a precautionary defensive line partly outside the Settlement. The Italian forces wore collaborating with the British. Mr R. Wallhcad (Lab.) : “Is not the occupation of positions beyond the Settlemnet an infringement of territoriality neutrality?” Sir Austen Chamberlain : “The purpose of sending troops was to protect British lives. The troops had to be placed in a position that was effective to discharge that duty.” Mr Wedgwood : “Does this mean that the Northern Chinese forces will be kept out of the territory occupied by the British?” Sir Austen Chamberlain : “The British forces there will keep the armed forces and the stragglers from the Chinese armies out of the Settlement in order to avoid danger to British lives. Some of Chang Sun-chang’s troops entered Shanghai, but not the International Settlement. If the Cantonese arrived opposite the British lines the actions of the British troops would continue to be governed by the complete neutrality and impartiality between the contending Chinese forces, which has marked the British policy throughout.”—A. and ’ Z. Cable. THE LABOUR PROTESTS. NOT REGARDED SERIOUSLY. LONDON, March 3. (Received March 3, at 11 p.m.) Well-informed people think that the Labour protests against the British occupation of posts outside the Concession at Shanghai should not be taken too seriously. There arc a few bulges in the line beyond the legal limits of the Concession, but this is unavoidable owing to the contour of the country. The same line was used when the Concession was manned by a local international volunteer force during he troubles of 1924, and no section of Chinese opinion raised objections then or now.—A. and N.Z. Cable. KIUKIANG NEGOTIATIONS. EXCELLENT PROGRESS MADE. LONDON, March 3. (Received March 3, at 11 p.m.) Official circles state that Mr O’Malley has made such good progress in the negotiations with Mr (Alien in reference to Kiukiang that he proposes to leave Hankow shortly to visit Shanghai. He will then return to the British Legation at Peking.—A. and N.Z. Cable. IGHANC BOYCOTT ENDED. AN AGREEMENT REACHED. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, March 2. (Received March 3, at 5.5 p.m.) An agreement was yesterday reached and signed at Ichang in negotiations which began on the previous day between British firms and labour unions, thus terminating the boycott and strike. 11 ELEA JED BY BANDITS. LONDON, March 2. (Received March 3, at 5,5 p.m.) Missionary advices announce the release of Mr and Mrs G. E. Metcalf, the Australian missionaries, who were reported yesterday to have been captured by brigands.—A. and N.Z. Cable.