CHINESE CHAOS

Otago Witness, Issue 3802, 25 January 1927, Page 29

CHINESE CHAOS

'ACTIVITIES OF CANTONESE. INSPIRED BY BOLSHEVISTS. . SHANGHAI, January 17. 'J-'he White Russian paper Rossia publishes an interesting story relative to the ■widespread activities of Cantonese propagandists under Bolshevist control. Recently . General Yang-Cho, a ■wellknown Chinese administrator of the Chinese Eastern Railway/ was seized by the order, of General Chang Tso Lin, charged with Bolshevist leanings, and summarily executed. A search of the deceased’s premises revealed thousands of Soviet rifles, with adequate ammunition as well as pistols and hand,, grenades. It also disclosed the preparation of a coup d etat and. correspondence with General Chiang Kai Shek, M. Borodin and other southern Red leaders. The story goes that the coup was planned for January 15, but the summary removal of the chief mover brought the plot to nought. General Chang Tso-lin is unlikely to handle the revolutionaries in any gentle manner in view of the continual efforts of the Russian Bolshevists to deprive him of the Chinese interest in the most important railway in China. The whole story is indicative of the farreaching schemes of the Cantonese and their Bolshevist advisers and the lengths to which they are prepared to go. TROUBLE AT FOOCHOW. HATRED OF FOREIGNERS FANNED. SHANGHAI, January 17. Messages from Foochow indicate that an agitation, similar to that of the Boxer year, has been worked up there The old story of foreigners killing Chinese babies has been revived, and the rumour circulated that Spanish nuns murdered ■ Chinese children. About 20 bodies of' baflies were produced, which it is alleged were brought out of the nunnery in a decomposed condition. As a result the premises were attacked, and the priests and nuns had to flee in disguise, after winch other foreign property was looted. . The evacuation of Szechuan is proceed- . systematically. The Britishers are leaving Chengtu in batches of 30 at a time. A mob at Hankow tore down the barricades around the Japanese concession. • LEADER OF THE ORIENT. JAPANESE POLICY ENUNCIATED. TOKIO, January 17. “While sympathising with the legitimate aspirations of the Chinese, Japan is ready to defend her legal interests in ®?T r y wa y/' declared the Prime Minister (Mr Wakasuki) at a meeting of the Kenseikai leaders. “Because it is consistent with a policy of friendliness towards the welfare of her 400,000,000 neighbours, Japan is now recognised by both China and the Powers as holding a position in ■which she is able to reconcile the Amencan and European policies towards China with the Chinese desires. Japan is ready to assume this duty.” Baron Tanaka (Leader of the Main Opposition), in addressing the Seiyukai Party, agreed that Japan was the responsible leader in the Orient, but she had been neglectful of her plain duty to face a situation that everyone' had seen developing in the past two years. The Government’s policy of non-intervention was simplv the result of unpreparedness to act. r lhe time had arrived when Japan should act independently, and assume the leadershin in China which was properly hers. r . THE SHANGHAI CUSTOMS £’■; IMPOSITION OF SURTAX. SHANGHAI, January 17. A proclamation of the Chinese Commissioner of Customs declares that all foreign goods entering Shanghai from January 20 will pay the 5 per cent, duty provided by the treaty and an additional per cent. The total consequently will be. 7| per cent. The proclamation points out that surtaxes have been collected in other provinces for some time past. BELGIUM AND CHINA. PEKING, Januarv 17. Dr Wellington Koo and the Belgian Minister, accompanied by experts and secretaries, met at the Foreign Office to inaugurate negotiations for a new SinbBelgian treaty. The Belgian Minister announced that he was prepared-(in order to show sincerity and goodwill to China) to return to China all the rights conferred to Belgium under the convention of 1902 in the Belgian concession at Tientsin reserving only the private property ■’ - rights. Dr Wellington Koo thanked Belgium for voluntarily renouncing its claim, stating that a commission of experts would be. appointed at the earliest moment to arrange to take over control. BRUSSELS, January 17. _ Advices -from Peking state that the Belgian Minister has addressed a note to tlie Chinese Foreign Office regarding the conclusion of a new Chino-Belgian treaty and the suspension of the proceedings instituted by Belgium before the Court of International Justice with reference to China’s denunciation of the treaty of 1865. It appears . that Dr Wellington Koo, xoreign Minister at Peking, recently proposed to Belgium a renewal of negotiations for the conclusion of a commercial treaty to replace the treaty of 1865 and the Belgian Minister in Peking was instructed to reply, favourably. Belgium meanwhile reserves the right* to take the case before The Hague court if the negotiations fail. PEKING, January 18. Regarding the Belgian offer to hand over the Tientsin concession, it is inter-

esting to note that the China Year Book, 1926, gives its population as foreigners nil and the Chinese population as 2000. The territory is thus infinitesimal, and the Belgian action merely a friendly gesture. GREAT BRITAIN’S DUTY. LONDON, January 18. Sir Douglas Hogg, Attorney-general, speaking in the East End, declared that the Government’s paramount duty was to see that the liberties of its people in China were protected. Personally, he hoped that Britain might be able to negotiate an honourable understanding, but she must be prepared to face the alternative. There were in Shanghai alone some 1600 British subjects and many " millions’ worth of British property, and if the Chinese authorities refused to safeguard their lives it became the duty of the Government to protect their interests itself. It was obvious that such a decision would involve possibly grave consequences. “The Government’s policy regarding China is unchanged and is still based on the memorandum issued on December 25,” said the Attorney-general. “If the invitation we have offered is accepted, the Chinese authorities will not find us either ungenerous or unreasonable, but if they should be encouraged by our forbearance at Hankow into the belief that similar events can be repeated at Shanghai or elsewhere then it is the Government’s paramount duty to see that British lives and property are protected.” The Daily Telegraph’s«diplomatic correspondent says it is realised in Government circles that preparations for coping with any grave emergencies must be made in good time, whether naval, military, or aerial. If anv Power is not conscious of its responsibilities or is unwilling to shoulder them. Britain, it is asserted, will cerfeainlv shoulder her share.

When the First Cruiser Squadron arrives in China the strength will be brought up to 13 cruisers, with aircraft carrier, eight destroyers, and other units. Nearly onehalf of the cruisers in full commission will be concentrated in Chinese waters and the number of naval ratings will exceed 10,000. M. Briand and Lord Crewe discussed the Chinese situation at length in Paris yesterday. M. Briand said that France was prepared to co-operate with the British for defence of lives and property in Shanghai.

Under the terms of the British memorandum of December last it is proposed that the Powers should declare their readiness to negotiate on treaty revision and all other outstanding questions as soon as the Chinese themselves have constituted a stable authoritv. In the meantime, the Powers are urged to pursue a constructive policy in harmonv with the spirit of the Washington Conference, but adapted to meet the present altered circumstances. It is proposed that the idea that the economic and political development of China is onlv to be secured under foreign tutelage should be abandoned, and a declaration made of China’s right to enioy tariff autonomy as soon as she promulgates a ■ new national tariff. The memorandum further declares that the British Government attaches the greatest importance to the sanctity of the Treaties, but believes that this principle is best maintained by a sympathetic adjustment of the treatv rights to the equitable claims of the Chinese.

CHINESE NATIONALISM. DEMAND FOR INDEPENDENCE. LONDON. January 18. The Daily Express publishes a special despatch from Mr Chen, in ' which, describing the recent events in Hankow, he charges the British with bayoneting several Chinese who formed part of a loyal crowd on the boundary of the British concession. He also gives details of the events which led to the Chinese Municipal Commission taking charge of affairs, and goes on to say: “Britain Ai the first place subjected China to the political and economic control of the West, typical features of which were expressed in the British control of the Chinese customs, the extraterritoriality of the alien-administered settlements, and other limitations 01 Chinese sovereignty contained in unequal treaties. The country was so controlled that it was fettered and obviously not independent. Chinese Nationalism, therefore, demands the handing back of the lost independence of China. . “Our terms are the cancellation of the unequal treaties upon which the regime of foreign Imperialism in China is based. The situation arising out of the new status quo in the Concession is not only profoundly significant as an act in history, but it is a direct summons to British statesmanship to take the lead in recognising the justice of the Nationalist demand for Chinese indepe: dence, and to ' proceed to redress a great historic wrong. “I categorically repudiate the suggestion that British humiliation is .desired by us. We demand a settlement of the question of the' Concession, which shall not deny its effective reincorporation within the Chinese territorial system, subject to Nationalist recognition of the validity of all property rights of British Nationals in the Concession.” THE JAPANESE ATTITUDE. TOKIO, January 18. Japan’s Chinese policy was announced by the Foreign Minister (Baron Shidchara) in the Diet. It involves the strict protection of Japan’s legal rights in China, which, he says, are' unbridgeable and unmodifiablc. Conceding this, the. Chinese may continue to fight in the desire to establish such a form of Government as seems best to themselves. Any i form of foreign intervention seeking to

impose any foreign-made -plan upon the Chinese is bound to fail. Japan is agreeable to the collection of surtaxes, provided the spirit of the Washington Treaty is carried out, and provided adequate provisions are made reasonably to assure that the additional revenues shall not go to civil war purposes or to the private use of any faction. Provided that such guarantees are given, a resumption of the Customs conference is desirable, at which Japan would welcome responsible representatives, both North and South, within the Chinese delegation. Baron Shidehara denipd the possibility of a Russo-Japanese clash in Manchuria, where the Soviet policy is one of trade only, the same as that of Japan. The speech, which was a remarkable one, was delivered before what will probably be the last session of the present Diet, which was elected in 1924. Baron Shidehara proclaimed that Japan hitherto had no reason to consider that China was infringing on any of Japan’s rights. Japan could not participate in any raid upon China’s rights, ambitions, or policies, but, on the contrary, would support China so long as China observed the laws recognised by the civilised world. Baron Shidehara asserted that no foreign plans for the control of China which had been proposed by any foreign nation to suit its own convenience could now be imposed upon China, nor would China acquiesce in or submit to foreign dictation. Baron Shidehara also proclaimed Japan’s entire friendship with Soviet Russia, which definitely exploded the unjustifiable pessimism of those who predicted a Russo-Japanese war over Manchuria. THE'CANTON PREMIER. SHANGHAI, January 18. Mr Chen, despite his birth in a British possession, has long been violently anliBritish. He voiced pro-German views as the correspondent of a Peking newspaper ■ in war time. He subsequently edited the People’s Tribune at Peking, and vilified the British as murderers, robbers, and liars. He went to Canton after imprisonment for falsely reporting General Chang Tso-lin’s death. He speedily became Prime Minister. Despite the evacuation orders, missionary men, women, and children are staying at Chengtu. The Consul and Vice-consul are leaving on January 21. Only six women remain at Chung-king. BRITAIN’S PEACEFUL POLICY. •, LONDON, January 19.

“The objects of British policy throughout the world are peace, progress, and trade. , Nowhere is this truer than in China, where Britain has great interests, built up throughout many years to the mutual advantage of China and Britain," said Sir Philip Cunliffc-Lister (president of the Board of Trade), at a luncheon at the British Industries Fair. “Britain desires to see China peacefully and pros 7 perously developing, her resources, and to this end she is ready generously to negotiate on the Chinese proposals. She is even prepared to go further than many of the observers of the situation migat think justifiable, because she believes that the national qualities and Commercial standards which the British traders have experienced as representing the Chinese character, will assert themselves and establish order and confidence. Nevertheless, she is equally determined to protect British lives and interests, by which means she is defending China’s best interests, as the British and Chinese trade interests are interlocked.” POWERS ENDORSE BRITISH VIEW. LONDON, Januarv 19. The Cabinet again considered the Chinese situation, and was gratified at the assurance from other Powers endorsing and supporting the policy of the. British Government regarding the protection of Shanghai. The Daily Mail says that copies of telegrams from Hankow show that the censor suppressed messages reporting speeches by General Chang Kai Shek. the Southern commander, and M. Borodin, the Russian adviser, in which they said that the ground in the British concession belonged to them and they were going to fight to keep it. J. CRUISER SQUADRON LEAVES MALTA. LONDON, January 19. A message from Malta states that the first cruiser squadron departed for Shanghai, receiving an enthusiastic* farewell, from the other warships. DEPARTURE OF MARINES. LONDON, January 20. Singing a song entitled “Shanghai” and with a band marching ahead, great crowds cheered the 300 Royal Marines who left Chatham for Portsmouth under orders to proceed to ..China. x, THE AMERICAN ATTITUDE. NON-RECOGNITION OF CANTON GOVERNMENT. WASHINGTON, January 19. With increasing evidence of a greater tide of anti-foreign sentiment rising in China official circles feel that a test of the situation may occur in Shanghai shortly. It is hoped, however, that the sweep of the Cantonese armies towards Shanghai, where the Americans are most numerous in China, will not make necessary forceful measures by the United Stages. American policy towards China meanwhile is unchanged. There is no indiciition that recognition will be extended to the Canton Government irrespective of British actipn in that matter. There js

every expectation that unless conditions become acute the State Department will make no move until after Mr F. B. Kellogg sees the American Minister, Mr Murray, who left Peking yesterday to confer with the State Department regarding the whole situation.

OPINION OF MR BRUCE. HONOLULU, January 19. Mr Bruce, who is en route to Australia, expressed the opinion that peace in the Pacific was not threatened by the'chaotic conditions in China, but the world might expect a long struggle in .China’s aspirations of self-expression. ’.

THE SOUTHERN CAPITAL. PEKING, Januarv 19. A meeting of the Nationalist and military leaders resolved to make Nanchaim (80 miles south of-the Yangtsze) the capi~tal, the chief reason being- that it cannot be attacked from the sea. This replaces the earlier plan to incorporate Hankow. Hanyang, and Wuchang into one capital to be named Wuhan.

PREPARING TO DEFEND' SHANGHAI.

SHANGHAI, January 20. The interior of China is fast being drained of foreign merchants and missionaries, who are leaving on the instructions of the British authorities, and are proceeding to Hankow, or the nearest river port, where they are picked up by British gunboats and transferred to Shanghai, which is sheltering thousands of foreign refugees from •- all parts of China.

Britain’s future moves are clouded in uncertainty. Messages daily received state that additional naval reinforcements are proceeding to China. British warships of the smaller class continue to proceed to Hankow, where the Legation Secretary. Mr O’Malley, continues to negotiate with the Chinese.

. Extraordinary precautions are being taken against mob uprisings. The international French settlements are erecting barbod-wire barricades at important intersections, and even 12ft iron gates at the most important places. The erection of accommodation for a large force of foreign troops from overseas is proceeding at strategic points, particularly at the municipal utility plants. An hotel in the heart of the settlement has been fortified in -.preparation for receiving women and children in the case of necessity. Everything points to a determined resistance by the Shanghai authorities against a repetition of the Hankow incidents. Industrial strikes—always a forerunner of riots—are already here. The trams are paralysed, and the electricity service is threatened.

Missionary work in China henceforth is doomed, protests notwithstanding. It has suffered the greatest blow in its history. All save a few diediards are deserting their posts and heading for Shanghai. The Szechwan Province, which was regarded as the greatest field for missionary work, is being evacuated systematically by its 500. missionaries of all faiths. Even the so-called Christian general, Feng-Yu-hsiang, is hounding, the missionaries from the territory under his control. . A few missionaries in the interior are held by the Chinese as hostages against British reprisals. These are greatly feared by the Chinese, as a result of the Hankow incident, which the conservative Chinese consider overstepped international friendship.

MARINES FOR CHINA. LONDON, January 20. The Megantic is fitting out at Liverpool to take marines' to China. DESPATCH OF SPANISH CRUISER. MADRID, January 20. Spain is despatching a cruiser, the Dou Blaslezo, to Shanghai. General de Rivera and his Ministers, after a long conference, decided to send a cruiser to China with orders to protect religious missions. PREPARATIONS IN PEKING. PEKING, January 21. The American Minister, Mr M’Murray, who was going to America to confer with Mr Kellogg in regard to affairs in China, has been recalled to Peking by a cable from Washington. Hitherto there have been no signs of disturbances or strikes, or anti-foreign feeling here, but the authorities are taking all precautions. It is believed that the Fengtien and Manchurian forces are determined to prevent trouble. Double guards, with fixed bayonets, are posted outside the foreign residences, and picked patrols march the streets all night with orders ruthlessly to suppress disturbers of the peace. The American authorities have warned their Nationals that the signal of trouble in the daytime will be a blue Peter flown below the Stars and Stripes on the wireless tower of the Legation, and at night six red lights. On receipt of this warning Americans arc instructed to concentrate on three given points, from which they will be escorted to the Legation, BRITISH GOVERNMENT CONFEIfENCES. LONDON, January 20. In accordance with custom, Sir Austen Chamberlain had conferences with Mr Ramsay MacDonald and Mr Lloyd George separately as Leaders of the Opposition, and explained the position regarding China, especially the precautionary measures which the Government is adopting.

HANKOW QUIET. x PEKING, January 21. A naval wireless message states that the situation at Hankow is quiet, an-.T that conversations arc proceeding between Mr O’Malley and Mr Chen. The situation at Kiukiang is serious. The French Consul was held a prisoner by strike pickets, and was released only on the foreigners undertaking that he woyld..not leave the concession. At Ichang virulent anti-British posters •» were distributed. More refugees have left for Hankow. At Shasi the military endeavoured to commandeer a British tug, but the warship Cockchafer effected its release. Anti-foreignism is rampant at Amoy, Foochow, Swatow, and Canton. MR RAMSAY MACDONALD’S 1 STATEMENT. LONDON, January 21. ’ Mr Ramsay MacDonald makes a statement in the Daily Herald regarding his position on the China situation. “Precautions must be taken,” he said, “till negotiations have removed the dangers, but precautions can be easily overdone. No one should welcome more than Mr Chen precautions that mean no menace to him. My fear is that the limits of wisdom are being exceeded, and that Mr Chen may think that the forces are being gathered as a fleet. Ido not think this is Sir Austen Chamberlain's intention, but the programmes of action have air unfortunate habit of setting intentions aside. Let British Labour keep in touch with Mr Chen as well as theiriOwn Government, and put up the strongest plea they can for both sides to negotiate for the suppressing of force. I hope that the Government will issue as soon as expedient instructions to Mr O’Malley.” BRITISH REGIMENTS ORDERS. 1 LONDON, January 21. The Cameronian Highlanders and the first battalion of the Middlesex Regiment have been ordered to hold themselves in readiness to proceed to China. All leave has been stopped. JAPAN’S ATTITUDE. ”! TOKIO, January 22. The newspapers assert that Great Britain has asked Jap n to assist in an effort to restore her lost position of the Yangtse-kiang, but Japan has courteously declined, pointing out the delicacy of the situation. WARSHIPS FOR CHINA. 7 PORT SAID, January 21. ’ The warships Frobisher, Delhi, Danae, ami Dragon have arrived here, and are refuelling. They are proceeding to China immediately.

NAVAL AND MILITARY DIS- T POSITIONS. I LONDON, January 21. After a Cabinet meeting the Government issued a statement reiterating that the naval and military dispositions in. connection with China are precautionary. Sensational announcements in this connection should be deprecated and : disregarded. The Government’s sole object is to' fulfil the elementary duty of protecting British lives. .There is no modification of conciliatoriness towards the legitimate aspirations of Chinese. Nationalism, laid down in the Memorandum of December 25 last. On the contrary, conversations are progressing at Hankow and Peking, which, if successful, will largely realise the concessions which the Government is willing to make for the purpose of placing Anglo-Chinese relations on an equitable and* mutually profitable basis, leading to a friendly settlement. Mr Baldwin delayed his departure to Chequers in order that he might preside at a Cabinet meeting. The significance of Mr Lloyd George’s and Mr Ramsay MacDonald's interviews with Sir Austen Chamberlain was that Great Britain’s decisiou to make a final stand at Shanghai with whatever military and naval forces are needed in defence of British interests was fully explained, and it is understood that both Mr Lloyd George amp Mr MacDonald assented ot this. STEAMER COMMANDEERED. J X SYDNEY, January 23. An echo of the Chinese trouble is to bo found in advices received from Calcutta that the British-India steamer, which usually runs to Australia, has been commandeered by the Indian Government to send to China. A smaller steamer replaces her on the Australian run. BRITISH WAR OFFICE ACTIVI- < TIES. LONDON, January 22. A War Office communique states that four battalions have been ordered to proceed to China, including certain categories of reservists. A semi-official explanation says that overmuch importance must not be attached to the calling up of reservists, who are only those recently .discharged. There is no intention of calling up the ' reserves generally. By Royal Proclamation it is reiterated that the situation in China shows noi change; therefore the decision is nob taken because of alarming news received, but it would be futile to await bloodshed before taking precautions. Such mea-. sures are. merely precautionary. The proclamation proceeds: “We cannot too 1 ; strongly emphasise that the British Gov- . erument has no warlike; intentions.’* ... s. . . - <

Negotiations may be slow, but they -Sdsvaya aiw with the Chinese. ( 'j TROOPS FROM INDIA >] DELHI, January 22. The Indian Government has chartered too Apcar line steamers to convey troops t» China. It is understood that the 20th i Infantry. Brigade from Jhansi, consist|ing of British artillery and infantry and . Indian troops will embark in a few days it Calcutta. TRAMWAY STRIKE AT SHANGHAI, i; SHANGHAI, January 22. In connection with the tramway strike the workers took possession of several trams, entered the British settlement, and fcreated disturbances. ' Simultaneously an attempt was made to capture the central police station, riot squads were called out and after a fierce fight and the firing of Shots in the air the police dispersed the rioters, and several leaders were arrested. ‘ The omnibus attendants to-day joined the Strike? The police have been mobilised in anticipation of further trouble. I i — . i , £ ARMED INTERVENTION. / '■]) OPPOSED BY NEW ZEALAND iJF”; ; LABOUR; <”;? -■ • 'f- '■ ; ’■? WELLINGTON, Jemuary 21? Mr Nash,secretary of the New Zealand JEjabour -Rdrty, lifts forwarded tf jcable to [Mr Rilfiisay ’ MficDonMd, Parliamentary;

Leader of the British L’abour Party, pledging the New Zealand Labour Party’s I support to the British Labour movement 1 in any action taken to prevent armed intervention by the British Government in China. CANTON VILLAGES MISSION. REMOVAL OF WOMEN AND CHILDREN. The Presbyterian Foreign Missions Committee has received the following cablegrams from the Council of the Canton Villages Mission:— “Hongkong, January 15.—British Minister’s communication of January 7 advises Britishers to leave the interior* including Kong Chuen. The new niirses, wives of missionaries, and children are removing. ’ The other members of the mission will remain in the meantime, and are watching the situation Carefully. Local conditions are still quiet.” “Hongkong, January 20?—Kong ‘Chuen" temporarily evacuated. All the missionaries are at Hongkbng except Davies* Kirk, 1 and Miller? who’ .‘are at Pah Hok Pung. ‘ Preparing transfer control to ■ Synod.” . ; ’ ' 1?' : The headquarters, of the New Zealand Presbyterian Mission is' at, Kong .Chpep, 12 iniles by, rail front).Canton,lncluded amopg . the missidnarjeß??thpre were , tlie

two newly-appointed nurses, Miss Goodson and Miss Robertson.,, The Revs. 11. Davies 'and A. L. Miller and Dr John Kirk are senior, missionaries, Pak Hok Pung, where they are meanwhile, is a suburb of Canton. It is the .seat of the Union Theological College, where the Rev. G. H. M‘Neur, at present in New Zealand on furlough, is one of the staff, and where Mr Davies is at present relieving him. Arrangements have been underway for some time : to transfer the control of the work of ..the mission to the Synod of the Church of Christ-in China, a united church including,Presbyterians, Congregatidnalists, and others. The process of transfer has no doubt been has ; tened owing ; to political -circumstances.; It does . not, necessarily inyqlvje the displacement of tfie mission afies?A’hose present ,withdrawal is expected to. be merely temporary?;.; ’? ? ?