A DISTURBED OUTLOOK.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20069, 8 April 1927, Page 9

A DISTURBED OUTLOOK.

GRAVE EVENTS IN CHINA. RISING TIDE OF HOSTILITY. GENERAL STRIKE AND BOYCOTT. BRITISH POLICY UNCHANGED. TKe gravity of events in China has been emphasised by the declaration of a general strike and a boycott of all foreign goods in the entire Yangtse Valley. The hostility that was formerly directed against the nationals of Great Britain has now been extended to all the foreigners in China. In the course of a reply to a debate in the House of Commons the Foreign Secretary (Sir Austen Chamberlain) reiterated the conciliatory attitude of Britain towards the Nationalists; but at the same time he made it clear , that British life and property would be adequately protected.

BRITISH POLICY IN CHINA. FIRMNESS WITH MODERATION. NATIONALIST AIMS RECOGNISED. STATEMENT BY FOREIGN SECRETARY. (Trem Association—By Telegraph—Copyright) LONDON, April 6. There was a crowded attendance in the House of Commons when Mr Ramsay MacDonald initiated a debate on China. The Labour Leader said that no one tould say what was going to happen. The despatch of the Shanghai defence force had undoubtedly increased negotiating difficulties without increasing the •protection for Britishers outside Shanghai. It had also fed the traditional Chinese suspicion, though he believed that this was without foundation. Not Shanghai, but the whole of China, was the immediate 4 test' of Britain’s policy, j Nobody could say before inquiry what had happened in Nanking: therefore, he urged the Government to use the League’s method of inquiry. He said that personally he was most glad that Britain, America, and Japan were to-day presenting Notes and not ultimata. Thre should be a clear statement that we still stood where we were at Christmas time. If the League of Nations could make the Nanking inquiry it would do a tremendous lot of good. Mr MacDonald said he hoped that Sir Austen Chamberlain would not decline to use the League. They should know what was in the mind, of the War Office in sending out more troops and how far Britain was acting alone. j Mr Mitchd Banks (Con.) said that Mr MacDonald’s speech recalled the proverb that in the kingdom of the blind the oneeyed man was king. He wished that Mr MacDonald could give some vision to his party, but unfortunately his kingdom was governed not from the throne, but from the ante-chamber. Mr MacDonald had said that the revolutionary propaganda in the East was based on history, but Mr .Banks declared that the Independent Labour Party was busy preparing history upon which to base propaganda, If anybody spread suspicion it was the Labour Party by its meetings and resolutions, and if the— should be a disaster that party would be its chief cause. If Sir Austen Chamberlain had to defend himself it would be against pushing the virtue of patience almost to a /ault. After Mr J. C. Wedgwood (Lab.) had epoken there were loud cries for Sir Austen Chamberlain. The Deputy-Speaker called on Sir Alfred Mond, but the interruption continued. Mr E. D. Mosley (Labour) shouted: "We are debating the Government’s policy without hearing what it is.” Sir. Alfred Mond began amidst a Chorus of Labour interruptions and cries of “Poison gas.” The Speaker warned both Mr Purcell tod Mr Beckett, who consistently interrupted Sir Alfred Mond. FOREIGN MINISTER’S REPLY. Sir Austen Chamberlain, in replying, Said the whole city of Shanghai bad been Created by foreigners, and it existed and had prospered because of foreigners. Britain was ready to negotiate to meet the Nationalist aspect, and to ren ove the special conditions rendered necessary by past conditions as soon as China could give foreigners the same justice and security that Chinese residents obtained elsewhere in the civilised world. ' The looting in Nanking had continued unchecked to April 4. An officer in charge of the Nationalists had sent a warning that any Britisher going ashore would be shot. Similar incidents had occurred at Chekiang, Ichang, and other places under the control of the Nationalists. While Sir Austen Chamberlain was reading a> report on Ichang, Mr R. C. Wallbead (Lab.) interjected: “It sounds like p, students’ rag day.’’ This was followed cries «{ “Order.”

Sir Auoten Chamberlain asked: “What interest £oea the member serve by minimising these outrages?” Mr Wellhead: Nothing that I have heard justifies war. Sir Austen Chamberlain, continuing, said that Britain must know the attitude of the responsible Chinese authorities towards the outrages. * Ho believed that all the Powers were in substantial agreement that it was necessary to require redress; but he did not want to speak too confidently, He knew an agreement had been reached by the Ministers at Peking, but he was not absolutely certain regarding the attitude of their Governments on the matter. , All the indications were that Japan, the United States, and Britain were not merely in agreement on the Question of asking for reparation; but regarding what reparations should be asked. The Minister said that the Nationalist authorities must understand that their reputation as a Government and the honour of China required them to give full satisfaction and reparation. He read the British Vice-Consul’s report on the outrages in Nanking, and pointed out that looting was continuing there without the Chinese authorities attempting to inter- ' fere.' A similar state of affairs prevailed in every place under the Nationalists’ control, including looting and outrages in hospitals. These attacks were not confined to British subjects or interests. The most significant feature of the present debate was that the Labour members, unmoved by events, were again demanding the recall of the defence force. Did the Labourites desire to expose the Britishers in Shanghai to the dangers that were realised in Nanking? The Government was pursuing a policy of conciliation and adjustment to meet the new Chinese aspirations. Sir Austen Chamberlain concluded, ! amidst cheers: “But we are not prepared 1 to hustle out of China, to withdraw our Nationals from Shanghai and other places, or to allow them to be treated as though the lives of’ our people were of no account.” Mr Lloyd George paid a tribute to the courage with which Sir Austen Chamberlain bad faced a difficult task, and had continued to pursue the policy specifically laid down a few months ago. .. Mr G. M. Trevelyan (Lab.) said: “If we went to war against China we should probably do so alone, and our trade would pass into the bands of the Powers standing aloof.” The Labourites forced a division on a motion for the adjournment of the debate, which was defeated by 277 votes to 17. A. and N.Z. Cable. AN IMPORTANT STATEMENT. 1 OUTLINE OF BRITISH POLICY. TREATY REVISION DESIRED; ' CONCILIATION WITH JUSTICE. (British Official Wireless,) RUGBY, April 6. (Received April 7, at 5.5 p.m.) Sir Ausion Cnaraborlam (the Foreign Secretary) made a statement on China in the House of Commons this evening. He said that the British were in China in pursuance of treaties. They were ready i to negotiate as circumstances made it pos- ■ sible to meet the Chinese National aspirations, and to remove the special conditions which had been rendered necessary. | EVENTS AT NANKING. He had given a fairly complete account of (lie recent events at Nanking, partly derived from the British Consul-General, and partly from the American and Japanese reports. He had now a further report from the British Vice-Consul, signed and approved by the British Consul. In this report it was pointed out that the Northern troops left the city peacefully on Wednesday night (March 23), and that early on Thursday morning troops belonging to the Fourth Division of the Sixth Army, mainly Hunaneae, entered, and the British Consulate was surrounded, and the ConsulGeneral was deliberately attacked The Consul-General was attacked in the Consulate ground by sentinels posted by the looters. He hid for a time with his child and two ladies, but they were soon discovered and robbed of all their valuables by bands of looters, and eventually they were rescued. By half-past 5 in the afternoon the United States Consulate was also in the hands of the looters, and the Consul made his way with great difficulty with a party to the Standard Oil I Company’s hill, where a large number of wreignera was assembled. Eventually they

were rescued. The Japanese Consulate was also looted, and the Consul himelf was shot at as e lay in bed, and his property was looted or wantonly destroyed. Two British subjects were killed. There was no doubt that the attack was organised. There was no question of the troops getting out of hand. They appeared to assemble at various points when a bugle sounded. The officers, when appealed to, made no attempt to interfere, and the whole affair seemed to have been planned in advance. CULPABILITY OF NATIONALISTS. Looting was still going on without any •attempt at protection by the authorities, said Sir Austen Chamberlain. If there could ever have been any doubt regarding the complicity of the Nationalist troops in the area in which the outrages were committed that doubt ought to have been dissipated by subsequent events. British troops had been fired on from the waterfront. A similar state of affairs had arisen in a greater or leas degree in every place which was still under the control of the Nationalists. The Minister mentioned incidents in which the premises of the Wesleyan Mission were broken into and the contents destroyed by a rabble of students and others. The members of the mission were hounded out of the place, and a jeering mob pursued them by the light of lanterns, and threatened them with violence down to the river, by which they left. ATTACKS ON FOREIGNERS. Sir Austen Chamberlain gave in great detail further instances of looting and outrage upon hospitals and other buildings, and said it would be a mistake to suppose that these attacks were confined to British subjects and interests. There was a time when the campaign of hostility was concentrated on ourselves and attacks on other foreigners were the exception. That situation had now changed, and the forces which the agitators had aroused were directed against the foreigners indiscriminately. During the past few months the agitation and attacks had been more and more directed against foreigners in general. He gave further instances and illustrations of this Etaicment, and emphasised that he was dealing with outrages committed in territory which the Nationalist Government controlled. BRITISH POLICY IN CHINA. Continuing, Sir Austen Chamberlain said: “The British people have no interest in China except to live on terms of peace and friendship with the Chinese people, and the Chinese people have no other interest than to live on terms of peace and friendliness with us, and I am sure they would be glad to do so if they were • allowed ; but in the face of a Government which either cannot control or will not control its troops, and which cannot protect the foreigners within its gates or will not protect them, we must take such precautions as we can for protection or our own people pursuing their lawful avocation” That was (he primary duty which the members of the Government had to discharge, and to enable them to discharge it they had thought it necessary to secure further reinforcements. ‘‘Why should we be suspected of taking the lead in anything of a military character?” he asked. ‘‘We had taken the lead in efforts to negotiate in the most liberal policy ever proposed. We had earnestly sought to settle this difficult question in a friendly spirit, and to recognise all that was legitimate in the Chinese National aspirations, and to allow an opportunity to form the foundations of peaceful relations with the Chinese people; but how could ha negotiate with the Cantonese Government in the face of the outrages at Nanking, in the face of the failure to give protection at Hankow, and in the face of the failure to give protection at any one of the other places that he had named, or to do anything to prevent the anti-foreign propaganda, and to prevent the cry of ‘Kill the Christians’ and ‘Kill the foreigners?’ ” NEW CONDITIONS RECOGNISED. There had to be existing in China an authority which not only undertook to protect life, but was in. a positon to do so and to exorcise its power before we could run any further risks with the lives and interests of British subjects ; but our policy remained the same. Britain recognised that the treaties were out of date, and that she must move forward with the new machine; but the Chinese must move too and concurrently. Before wo could carry this policy further we must know what was to be the attitude of the responsible Chinese authorities in regard to the outrages committed at Nanking. He believed all the Powers concerned to be in substantial agreement —if not already in actual verbal agreement—not merely to require redress ; but agreed as to the terms in which that redress should bo demanded. He could not make a statement upon that subject, however, until the agreement was final, and until publication was possible in the different countries concerned. ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS. Replying to questions by Mr Ramsay MacDonald, Sir Austen Chamberlain said he thought that it might be a day or two before the demands would be presented. He added that he trusted that the Nationalist authorities would recognise their responsibilities, and would understand that their reputation as a Government and the interests of China and her honour required that they should give full satisfaction and reparation. It was hoped that they would recognise the ordinary obligations of a Government and behave as other Governments did in similar circumstances, so that his Majesty’s Government could pursue that policy which was indicated in his Memorandum of December and amplified in his Memorandum of February, which was the ground-work upon which we could hope to build our future relations with China. CHINA AND THE POWERS. 9 ______ DEMAND FOR REPARATION. BRITAIN’S DESIRE FOR CONCILIATION. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, April 6. (Received April 7, at 5.5 p.m.) Commenting on the agreement of the Powers concerned to present demands to the appropriate Chinese authorities relative to the Nanking outrages, the Daily News says; “Great Britain is anxious to avoid any action of a kind that would suspend indefinitely the pursuance of its policy of conciliation in China, or to forfeit its future friendly relations with the Chinese people. It is impressed with the need of convincing the so-called experimentalists in the Nationalist Party that further experiments in violence will be undertaken at grave risk.” HOSTILITY TO FOREIGNERS. A MENACING OUTLOOK. GENERAL STRIKE AND BOYCOTT. WHOLE OF YANGTSE AREA AFFECTED. SHANGHAI, April 6. A general strike and a boycott of all foreign goods is the entire Y r angtse Valley have commenced, and the situation is rapidly becoming graver. All the , Japanese arc evacuating the Yangtse Valley. Warships of the International Asiatic fleets arc rushing to important ports, and a large fleet is concentrating at Hankow, where the Japanese admiral has sworn on his word of honour to prevent the Chinese from trespassing in the Japanese Concession. He promises to maintain the dignity of the Imperial Japanese

navy. The present strength of the Japanese landing party at Hankow is ?>OO, and it is being' hurriedly reinforced. The cruiser Tentyu is c nroute. A wireless message from Nanking says that anti-foreign feeling is still evident. Foreign houses are being looted. —A. and N.Z. Cable. THE OPPOSING ARMIES HEAVY FIGHTING REPORTED. _ SHANGHAI. April 6. (Received April 7, at 7 p.m.) At Hankow the Chinese authorities have issued proclamations ordering complete immunity to foreigners from molestation. It is officially stated that the Japanese casualties as a result of Sunday’s riots were five killed and ten missing. Japanese naval reinforcements have arrived. The latest reports from Nanking say that very heavy fighting is reported by the warship Emerald between the Northern and Southern forces at Kwantien.—A. and N.Z. Cable. GENTLEMEN ADVENTURERS. SERVICES OFFERED TO CHANG. FOREIGN OFFICE INTERVENES. LONDON, April 6. (Received April 7, at 9 p.m.) As an .endorsement made by the Foreign Office on his passport reads: “Not valid for China,” this has abruptly ended the scheme of Captain Livingstone, the African explorer, to take out a small party of gentlemen adventurers for the purpose of fighting under Marshal Chang Tso-lin in the anti-Rcd campaign. Fifteen or sixteen ex-officers had already joined the party, and a cable had been scut to Chang offering their services; but tho Passport Office demanded Captain Learmouth’s passport, and sent to the Foreign Office, which .endorsed it as invalid, intimating that passports to China were only being issued in special circumstances. —A. and N.Z. Cable. SITUATION AT PEKING. SOVIET EMBASSY RAIDED. ACTION BY CHANG’S TROOPS. PEKING, April G. Acting on the signal authorisation of the Diplomatic Corps, a body of Marshal Chang Tso-lin’s troops and armed police raided the Soviet Embassy. One shot was heard, after which a Russian was dragged out, bound, and carried off in a motor car. Later six Russians and from 15 to 20 Chinese were removed to the police station. A machine gun, 15 rifles, and a quantity of ammunition were removed from tho embassy. It is understood that the Soviet Charge d’Affaires and other, officials were detained in their offices. Troops still occupy the building.—A. and N.Z. Cable. DETAILS OF THE AFFAIR. THOROUGH SEARCH OF PREMISES. DIPLOMATIC ETIQUETTE INFRINGED SHANGHAI, April 7. (Received April 7, at 10 p.m.) Official details of the raid on th 0 Soviet Embassy at Peking show that secret agents to Chang Tso-lin investigated tho source, of radical propaganda that has been emanating from Peking for months past. Their inquiries culminated in the arrest of two Americans, the trial of whom is held over pending the result of other investigations. Chang Tsto-lin appealed to the Foreign Ministers comprising the Diplomatic Corps to curb tho activities ot the Peking Communists, who are sheltering in the Legation quarter. Permission was asked to enter and granted in contravention of diplomatic etiquette. Acting on this permission 100 Chinese police personally commanded by the police chief and 200 Chinese soldiers from Chang Tso-lin’s bodyguard surrounded the Russian Embassy grounds on three sides. Simultaneouly British troops with fixed bayonets and loaded rifles appeared at the British Legation wall on the fourth side. Without hesitation the Chinese forced an entry into the Embassy, and searched all in residence thoroughly. They arrested all who were found on the premises. * Tho first building entered was the former Russian garrison. Tho searchers met with resistance, and a shot was fired from within. The searchers emerged, dragging a Russian, kicking and fighting. Other searchers discovered two machine-guns, 15 rifles, small arms and two Bed flags. Tho Russian was handcuffed and dragged into the street. 'ln the meantime tho other prisoners emerged quietly, and drove off in automobiles. The fighting Russian refused an automobile, and his struggles attracted a crowd, which was batoned away with the assistance of foreigners. The episode produced tho wildest scenes in the Legation quarter, and the mobs were dispersed with the greatest difficulty. The search of the Embassy was continued, and the officials were ordered to remain in the offices. A fire which broke out in the main building; apparently with the object of destroying important documents, was soon extinguished. After 6 hours’ searching 64 persons were arrested, handcuffed, and incarcerated, including the Soviet Charge d’Affaires. In the meantime five trucks of documentary data and other material wero removed, including seals inscribed “Peking Branch ,of the Kuomintang Political Committee of the Kirin, Shansi, Kansu, and Chisli Provinces.” The persons arrested - include six women, all of whom are detained at tho Metropolitan Police Board. Tho staff of experts convened by headquarters to examine the seized documents has reported that the exact documents desired have not been found.—A. and N.Z. Cable. SEMI-OFFICIAL “EXPLANATION.” LONDON, April 7. (Received April 7, at 11.30 p.m.) In order to avoid misconception it is semi-officially explained that the Russian Embassy at Peking was not invaded. The building raided was in the Embassy grounds, and as it was necessary to traverse the grounds to reach the building the Diplomatic Corps granted permission for that purpose.—A. and N.Z. Cable. TRUTH OF REPORT DOUBTED. FOREIGN ACQUIESCENCE UNLIKELY LONDON, April 6. (Received April 7, at 5.5 p.m.) The Foreign Office hag not received confirmation of the raid on the Soviet Embassy in Peking. Official circles question the truth of the report and doubt the suggestion that tho Diplomatic Corps gave a specific authorisation. Ordinarily no warrants may bo executed within the Settlements without the diplomats’ signature, which usually is automatically granted, otherwise the criminals could very easily find sanctuary in the Settlement and defy the police. In the present disturbed conditions, however, the Diplomatic Corps would be sure to examine every request, as all the Powers are equally anxious to avoid any appearance of partisanship. I It is unofficially suggested that it is most probable that an application was made to raid some building where Russians are housed. The diplomats would feel bound to consent to an act which the Chinese authorities represented as essential; but it is very doubtful if they would consent to a deliberate raid on (he Russian Embassy.—A. and N.Z, Cable,

WAR MATERIAL. GERMAN COMPANIES REFUSE SHIPMENT. BERLIN, April 6. The Association of German Ship Owners and the East Asian Union have decided not to accept shipments of war material for China.—Argus and Sydney Sun Cable. NORTHERN AIR FORCE BOMBS DROPPED ON CITIES. SHANGHAI, April 6. A Northern aeroplane dropped two bombs on Pukow and three mi Nanking City.—A. and N.Z. Cable. FRENCH REINFORCEMENTS. CABINET CONSIDERATION. PARIS, April 6. The Echo Be Paris states that Cabinet is considering the despatch to Shanghai of another cruiser and 600 troops.—A. and N.Z. Cable. FRENCH BUSINESS INTERESTS. AGREEMENT WITH OTHER POWERS URGED. LONDON, April 6. (Received April 7, at 9 p.m.) The Paris correspondent of The Times states that the Franco-Asiatic Chamber of Commerce, including the Mcssagerics Maritimes, the Shanghai Tramways Company, and many Franco-Chinese companies, banks, and commercial organisations have written to M. Briand urging the wisdom of a general policy of agreement with the_ other Powers in China. They state that it would be most dangerous to trust in promises of the moderate Chinese Ministers, who are probably destined shortly to be overwhelmed. The letter adds that the French Concession at Shanghai is at present adequately defended, taking into account the fact that there will be other military support for the French in the event of emergencies.—A. and N.Z. Cable. JAPANESE TROOPS FOR MANCHURIA, TOKIO, April 6. (Received April 7, at 9 p.m.) The Japanese are sending the Utsunomiya Division, which is largely composed of cavalry, into the Manchurian leased territory, ostensibly to relieve the division that has been serving there. Two companies have been ordered to reinforce the Peking Embassy guard.— A. and N.Z. Cable.