CHINESE SITUATION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20087, 2 May 1927, Page 9

CHINESE SITUATION

SECOND NOTE TO MR CHEN POWERS’ ACTION DELAYED. TROUBLE AT KIUKIANG. (Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright.) LONDON, April 30. (Received May 1, at 5.5 p.m.) The Daily Telegraph’s diplomatic correspondent states that owing to divergencies between Washington and the other Protocol Powers their Ministers in Peking are still marking time with an elaboration of the second Note to Mr Chen. If the despatch of the Note is much longer delayed Marshall Chiang Kai-shek may have evicted the Cantonese Government from Hankow before it is sent, and the problem would become whether it should be addressed to Chiang-Kai-shek. Official messages received in Loudon report that despite the British Consul’s protests and Chiang Kai-shek’s explicit orders to the contrary the commander of the Sixth Cantonese Army billeted his troops at the British Consulate and the British residence in Kiukiang. The troops looted the buildings in which they were billeted. The British Consul’s further protests have so far been without result. —A. and N.Z. Cable. FIGHTING AT KIUKIANG.

COMMUNISTS MAKE A STAND.

SHANGHAI, April 29.

Heavy fighting is, reported in the region of Kiukiang. The Communists are making a desperate stand to stem General Chiang Kai-shek’s advance on Hankow. —Sydney Sun Cable. THE GERMAN VIEWPOINT. “A METICULOUS NEUTRALITY. STATEMENT BY DR STRESEMANN. - BERLIN, April 30. (Received May 1, at 5.5 p.m.) Dr Stresomann, in an interview, said that Germany hoped to facilitate a settlement of the difficulties in China by observing a meticulous neutrality. The perplexities arising from the common desire of all the Chinese groups for emancipation from the unequal treaties did not affect Germany, who had already cancelled hers. All the Powers appeared to be willing to meet China's legitimate national demands. Germany policy, therefore, in no way conflicted with that of the Powers. This was not the first time in recent history that an intelligent and industrious people had freed itself from China’s dormant, centuries-old state and begun organising life on the modern pattern. It had always proved disastrous when economically advanced nations attempted to exploit and ferment turmoil during transition periods for their own political aims. Such rivalries usually caused international complications -which often became a source ot warlike conflagrations. It ought to be possible for mankind to learn from experience and assume a statesmanlike caution. The Powers interested wore now striving to produce a compromise equitable to all parties. The vast majority of the German people approved of a policy of the strictest neutrality as instanced by the voluntary decision of the German merchants and shippers not- to transport arms to China. Germany was ready to support efforts in China and elsewhere that were aimed at a peaceful consolidation of the economic and political situation.—A. and N.Z. Cable.

CANTON LABOUR CONFERENCE. BANNED BY GOVERNMENT. HONGKONG, May 1. (Received May 2, at 1 a.m.) The Canfon Government has prohibited the Pacific labour conference. TTie Russian delegates have been informed that they had better leave Canton without delay. The whereabouts of the international delegates is vague.—Sydney Sun Cable.