TURMOIL IN CHINA

Otago Witness, Issue 3803, 1 February 1927, Page 28

TURMOIL IN CHINA

NEW BRITISH POLICY. PRINCIPLE OF EQUALITY. LONDON, January 29. Sir Austen Chamberlain, speaking at Birmingham, announced the new terms ■which Britain has offered to the Governments of Northern China and Canton. These are as follow:— 1. Britain ie prepared to recognise the modern Chinese law courts without the attendance of a British official as competent to deal with cases in which British people are conceded. 2. Britain is ready to apply in the British courts in China the existing Chinese civil and commercial codes and the subordinate legislation, and she is also ready to go further than this when all the Chinese codes are complete. 3. Britain is prepared to make British nationals liable to regular Chinese taxation not involving discrimination against British subjects and goods, including taxation under the national tariff when it is promulgated, thus so far as Britain is concerned removing the last obstacle to full tariff autonomy. clearincTlhe air. FOREIGN MINISTER’S FRANKNESS. LONDON, January 30. The Chinese situation has been wonderfully cleared up by the frank speecn ol SKr Austen Chamberlain at Birmingham last evening, in which he disclosed tne terms of the British offer and explained the motives behind the military measures. The speech was too late for editorial comment in the Sunday papera, but the heau lines and notes by the political writers indicate appreciation of Sir Austen Chamberlain’s frankness, which is nosl timely in view nf the Labourites’ preparations for demonstrations throughout the whole country. As a matter of fact, the uneasiness was not confined to the Labourites. The whole country had been somewhat disturbed lately by what appeared to oe an outbreak of militarism. It is learned that there has been a good deal of criticism in . the Foreign tiffice circles . concerning the«-War Office's publicity methods over its military actions. Die Labourites’ chief complaint when they saw Sir Austen Chamberlain was that the despatch of warships and troops had Deen announced with such a wealth of photographic and other press publicity as to give the impression that the war .’ords were seeking to override the Foreign Office and create a war fever in the public mind, labour had been informed of the British policy, and had fully approved of the con ciliatory nature of the offers to China, but the announcements of the military etaps had been made in such a manner aa had provoked fears in Labour circles Ksid these had led to preparations for anti war demonstrations throughout the country—hence the Ministerial wrath with J-he War Office. In the meantime the best-informed people are- satisfied with the immediate outlook and consider that in the promptness which Britain has shown she : s not bluffing, but is determined to be rea'dy to defend British lives and property, combined with a generous offer to negotiate. W.is may be all that is necessary to yield a satisfactory settlement by unhurried negotiations. The statement is persistently cropping up in reliable diplomatic and other circles that one of the Cantonese demands will be the absolute equality of their nationals throughout the world, including the right to Australia on the same footing as other foreigners. The Paris newspaper, Le Temps, re gards the British conciliatory proposals to Mr Chen as affording hope that a grave conflict will be definitely averted. “Sir Austen Chamberlain has shown courage, wisdom, and moderation in his Chinese policy, but other members of the Cabinet became excited the moment '• cy heard the word war,” said Mr Lloyd George at Birmingham. He added that Mr Amery, who had been outlining the Government’s limits of concession, “was small, but of wadded explosive material.” He blew up the Baldwin Government, but this explosive atom could not be >ermitted to blow up the country. Although the Government must protect British lives it should not let expeditions go to the interior. Britain should lead the way by giving China justice. China was an invaluable market for Britain. “I do not want to see the Union Jack flying over empty warehouses,” he added.

SYMPATHY WITH NEW NATIONALISM. LONDON, January 28. A correspondent of The Times (Mr A. M Pooley), writing on the Chinese situation, says:— “Though the policy which the British • Government has adopted is somewhat late in the day, it ia sympathetic with the Chinese national aspirations. The reasons why it was not expressed earlier are stated to be a fear of attempting to take sides in the Chinese internal disputes. Though the explanation is not altogether satisfactory, it must be accepted for what it is worth. “The immediate problem with which British interests in China are concerned is the extent- to which the Government is prepared to go in its practical expressions of sympathy. Though there is no information officially in regard to the proposals put forward by Mr O’Malley, it is understood that the Government is prepared to negotiate for the retroceseion of all the Extraterritorial settlement in China, with the exception of the International Settlement at Shanghai. In connection with .this latter it is prepared to consider co-

operative administration by the Chinese. Guarantees will also be asked for more civilised methods of administration of the law as in case of Japan during the ’nineties. * “There' is no doubt that the Government is seized with the fact that in the event of an extension of the trouble Japan might step in and assert the dominating position to which she aspired in wartime and from which she withdrew after the Washington Conference. It can hardly be conceived that England’s and Japan’s economic position at present is not'such as will permit independent action—not that such action would involve a resumption of the commercial boycott from which Japan suffered most severely two years ago. ' "The protest of British Labour against the action of China need not be seriously considered. It is rather in the nature ot blowing a kiss towards Moscow than the result of definite conviction. The importance of the Chinese market to England is well recognised by the Labourites. If Mr MacDonald were in office he would have to adopt the same measures. British investments in China exceed £1,000,000,000, and the shipping engaged in the China trade is more than treble that in the Australian trade. ‘scuttle’ now, after the violence at Hankow, if taken to its logical conclusion, would result in the, Chinese making'other demands affecting questions not purely of internal importance. If the concesions held by solemn treaties are scrapped in the face of mob outbreaks, it is possible that the Chinese may be encouraged to extend their demands to other spheres—for example, the rights of migration to and residence in the dominions?’ SURRENDER OF CONCESSIONS A. POLICY OF CONCILIATION. PEKING, January 28. The British are preparing to lay their proposals before the Northerners as well as the Southerners, arguing that as the Northerners have- been prepared to act more moderately in the advance towards national aspirations, and have not proposed tearing up treaties, a s in the case of. some of the Southerners, the Northerners must be granted all that is conceded Mr Chen by Mr O’Malley. While nothing official is obtainable in this connection, it is believed that it is proposed virtually to give up the British concessions as such at Hankow and Tientsin, and to substitute international settlements, in which the Chinese would have a very large voice on the municipality. These territories would become something like the ex-German concessions, but appjC rently with safeguards regarding the efficient running of them and regarding foreign representation on the councils. A Japanese message from Peking states that Sir Miles Lampson informed Marshal Chang- Tso-Jin and the Peking Government that Britain had decided to put into operation a new Chinese policy, includ : ng the return of all - the concessions and the recognition of Chinese tariff autonomy, and had requested the Chinese Government to make preparations to take over the concessions without delay. According to a message from Tokio, the correspondent of the newspaper Asahi bhimbun cables that the British Government has submitted proposals to Mr Chen Hankow, for joint Sino-British control of all British concessions in China, w and /lag also proposed the opening of negotiations for the devision of unilateral treaties, ihe correspondent quotes Downing street as stating that the proposals are regarded as constructive and progressive. Downing street says that if China accepts, it will greatly relieve the situation. The proposal indicates British sympathies for China’s national desires.

THE JAPANESE VIEW. BRITISH POLICY ENDORSED. TOKIO, January 29. Baron Shidehara (the Foreign Minister), in a statement on the situation at Shanghai, says:—‘J think it. is impossible tor the British to let matters go by at Shanghai, where there are many British residents My opinion is that it is only proper and natural for Britain to take adequate steps in case of emergency. I cannot say that a British-Canton clash is coming, and I am confident that Britain does not desire a clash, but is acting in the event of an emergency and nothing else. When the situation has been peacefully settled, I believe that Britain,..will send all her forces back to the original stations. There are no indications at present that Japanese lives and property are endangered. The Canton officials and army promise to afford all the necessary protection Should danger arise, we shall resort to proper measures, but military preparations are now unnecessary lest they should cause needless alarm.” The press is featuring the alleged substance of the second British memorandum, which has been informally communicated , suggests the cancellation of the Chinese debts, the abolition of extraterritorality, and the return of the concessions on the basis of Sino-foreign control. the debt suggestion is causing consternation in financial circles, inasmuch as China is. Japan’s heaviest debtor. DEFENCE OF SHANGHAI. THE MANCHURIAN BORDER. SHANGHAI, January 28. The second contingent of the Punjabis from Hongkong arrived here to-day, and n?arched straight to the racecourse without incident. . It is reliably reported that 50,000 Soviet infantry are mobilising in the vicinity of the Manchurian border. There is surprising activity amongst the troops fn the direction of Kalgan, and several Siberian garrisons are moving to the frontier with cavalry regiments.

The local vernacular press avens that the Soviet has offered definite assistance to the Nationalists. DEPARTURE OF THE COLDSTREAMS. LONDON, January 29.. Bands playing “Tipperary” and “The Long, Long Trail,” with the Guardsmen adapting the old singing of “There’s a Silver Lining in Shanghaiee,” accompanied by enormous crowds, including wives and children, marched alongside the Coldstream Guards as they departed from the Wellington Barracks. An old woman standing at Westminster Bridge handed out bunches of white heather. The battalion entrained at Waterloo, where the crowd rushed the gates, pouring on to the platform for the final farewells. The onlookers roughly handled Communists who- were distributed pamphlets, and the police intervened. The Coldstream Guards sailed from Southampton by the Kinfauns Castle. The Middlesex battalion paraded at Catterick in a snowstorm. On its arrival at London it boarded the Herminius. London gave a hearty send-off to the Second Battalion of- the Coldstream Guards on its departure for China. A crowd of women and relatives stormed the barricades at Waterloo Station and succeeded in gaining the platform. There were the usual affecting scenes as the train steamed out. ORDERED TO CHINA. LONDON. Januai— 28. A mechanised battery of 18-pounders and also a battery of howitzers have been ordered to China. TRANSPORTS CHARTERED. TOKIO, January 28. Press reports state that London interests are chartering five Japanese steamers, ‘now in Indian waters, for use as transports. The first is deliverable the charterers early in February, either at Calcutta or Singapore.

DISPATCH OF BRITISH TROOPS. DEFENDER OF SHANGHAI. LONDON, January 25. Major-general Duncan, who has been selected as the defender of Shanghai, has had considerable experience in little wars. Viscount Gort. V.C., will be one of his brigadiers. The 2nd Coldstreams will be commanded by another V.C.. Colonel John Vaughan (“Tallyho”) Campbell, who led the. critical charge in the battle of the Somme by means of a hunting horn. Two detachments of the Royal Air Force from Gosport, and Farnborough will accompany the Marines on board the Minnesota, embarking at Portsmouth tomorrow. With photographs of cheering troops, lengthy cables, and details of military and naval movements, the newspapers are strangely reminiscent of wartime. It is again emphasised officially that the measures are purely precautionary and the outcome of the Government’s resolve to protect the lives and property ofthe British people. It is stated , that the conversations continue between Mr O’Malley and Mr Chen at Hankow, but so far they have been without result. The British forces in the Yangtsze region or under orders to proceed to the East now number more than 10,000, making a defence force, with the naval units, of 16,000. Thirty officers and men .of the Royal Air Force are sailing with the Marines in the Minnesota this afternoon. Their six aeroplanes will follow in another vessel. The work of transforming the Kinfauns Castle and the Kildonan Castle into troopships has been practically completed. They are expected to sail this week -together with the Peninsular Company’s Assaye, which is a veteran among troopships, having seen service in the Boer and Great Wars. General Duncan left London at midnight for Liverpool to board a liner for the East. He said he expected to arrive at Shanghai two days after the brigade from India —namely, on March 26. It is not anticipated that the Cantonese will be there first. The Daily Telegraph says that General Duncan is an ideal leader for citizen troops. His unconventional methods have a minimum of drill, but lay the maximum stress upon initiative. These methods made the East Anglicans the besttrained division in the territorial army. General Duncan has also shown tact in getting on with other nations. Viscount Gort also will be a guarantee against a clash which coolness and tact may avert.

ATMOSPHERE OF WAR. LONDON, January 24. Mr Ramsay MacDonald, writing in the Daily Herald, states: “Everyone striving for a peaceful solution of the disfficulties in China must read with considerable alarm the propaganda and information, apparently official, which has been issued regarding the military preparations. Its effect on public opinion already apparent. It invites people to think and talk of war. It has none of the quiet air of precaution, but has the flamboyant demeanour of aggression. Who is responsible for the' communiques? Can the •Foreign Office justify them in relation to the negotiations in China? Or do they represent one more attempt by the military to override and act independently of the Civil departments and interfere with their policy. I suspect once again that we are faced with the problem of whether the military is to be the' servant of the State or the State the plaything of the military.”

JAPAN TAKES ACTION. SHANGHAI, January 24. The Tokoi Navy Department announces the despatch of four destroyers for Shanghai to-day on receipt of word of a more threatening situation. PAYMENT OF SURTAX. SHANGHAI, January 24. The British Government, having unconditionally agreed to the levying of the Washington surtaxes, the British Legation advises British merchants to pay the 2i per cent, surtax now being levied at Shanghai, and 5 per cent, luxury surtax when it is imposed. DECLARATION BY MR CHEN. SHANGHAI, January 24. Mr Eugene Chen, the Nationalist Foreign Minister, authorised the following statement, which explains Britain's despatch of troops to China. He says: “The question is not what Britain and the Powers wish to grant China in order to meet the legitimate aspirations of the Chinese, but whafr«China may justly grant Britain and others whose regime of international. control is ‘now definitely sharing the fate of all historical systems of political subjection. “The system of international control, as known to the foreign imperialist, has necessarily involved such limitation of Chinese sovereignity—economic, judicial, and political—that real independence has not been enjoyed in China since England imposed the Nanking Treaty. Therefore it is historically true to state that the British, having defeated China in the opium war, have deprived her of her independence. The Englishmen of the present generation have perhaps forgotten, but Nationalist China, with the old iron of defeat in her fleflsh, remembers. .... “China’s dominant aim to-day is the recovery of the independence which she lost at the hands of the British in the opium war. Until this is accomplished there cannot be real peace between Chinese Nationalism and British Imperialism. A nation which is not dying cannot be at peace with its conqueror, but will strike at the selected moment. The selected moment of Chinese Nationalism came when British-controlled rifles were ordered to shoot to kill Chinese students on Chinese soil on May 13 at Shanghai, and when, following the further killing of Chinese students and others by foreigners at Canton and elsewhere in June, the economic weapon was forged by Chinese Nationalism in South China. The struggle has spread continuously, and will not cease until complete independence has been won.” AMOY AND SWATOW. PEKING, January 25. Owimr to the reverse suffered by General Sun Chung-Pang against the Southerners at Chekiang the British authorities have ordered the British missionaries to evacuate the Ningpo district. The agitation against the Roman Catholics in Amoy continues. _ The Chinese exhumed seven bodies of babies owing to alleged mutilation by the Catholics. An anti-British agitation is developing in Amoy and Swatow. All the American missionaries up-coun-try have temporarily abandoned their quarters and gone to Swatow. DELEGATION TO CANTON PROPOSED. SYDNEY, January 25.. Mr M. Charlton (Leader of the Federal Labour Party) said that the Labour Party strongly opposed intervention in connection with China’s internal affairs, and would strenuously oppose any action taken to commit Australia to a foreign war. A proposal to send a delegation to Canton to confer on the possibility of averting war in the Pacific is Labour’s latest move againsUinterference in China. According to a Trades and Labour Council’s circular this will be one of the foremost matters for discussion at the special conference to be held next month.HANKOW BANKS REOPEN. ~ PEKING, January 25. A wireless message from Hankow states that -the banks opened without incident. SCENES AT PORTSMOUTH. LONDON, January 25. The embarking of 1000 Marines and two flights of the Air Force on board the Minnesota to-day recalled episodes that were familiar during the World War, but the light-hearted gaiety at Portsmoutn was very different from the grim tragedies enacted from 1914 to 1918. The whole town turned out to cheer the Marines, who marched three miles along the Southsea front singing “Shanghai, Shanghai,” which is a most popular song. At the entrance to the dockyard the band struck up Elgar's “Land of Hope and Glory.” Fatigue parties then stowed the kits on board the ship, and the cranes lifted the aeroplanes to decks. The public farewell now being finished, only close relatives will be allowed to the jetty to shout a last “Good-bye” when the Minnesota steals away at dawn. FRENCH CO-OPERATION. PARIS, January 25. Cabinet discussed the situation in China. M. Briand reported that he had sent new instructions to the French representative in reference to collaboration with the other Powers and the defence of the French concessions if these were attacked. “Shanghai,” declares Le Journal, “which does fully half of China’s trade, must be held at any cost. We are in entire agreement with Britain on this point. The Powers must solidly show .their intention jo be respected.”

BOLSHEVIST INTRIQUE. PLANS FOR WORLD REVOLUTION. / SHANGHAI, January 25. _ “The concentration of such large British naval and military forces in China is not the outcome of the recent events at Hankow of the possibility of a repetition of them at Shanghai,” a responsible authority declared. “The troops that Britain is sending to-the Far East are considerably more than Britain or any other Power would require to suppress the. anti-foreign agitation, even if that nation were not supported by others. One must therefore look elsewhere for the reason for sending, an army to China sufficient. to out the Cantonese Nationalist army in a fortnight. “The reason i s Russia. The British officials are silent on the matter of policy, but the movement of Soviet troops in Eastern Siberia and on the Manchurian frontier and Britain’s despatch of several infantry brigades, a- tank corps, and a War Office administrative staff are not merely coincidental. “The Chinese Nationalist movement-, is merely Russian eyewash, and the first step towards world revolution. General Chiang Kai-shek, the Cantonese military commander, in his Hankow speech recently, hinted at Soviet plans, saying that revolutionary movements were afoot in other parts of the world not dreamed of by Britain. “Britain does not wish to interrupt the Chinese legitimate Nationalist movement now under way if it is confined to China’s boundaries, but China is a pawn in the hands of Russia and an ideal revolutionary weapon. “The peace of the Pacific is threatened. Korea, Japan, the Philippines, and India would immediately follow in the footsteps of China in the event of the latter succeeding in overthrowing Western influence.” There have been ominous rumblings in the Indian community at Hankow and Shanghai since the Hankow events. Indians at Hankow attended anti-British meetings and delivered anti-British speeches, and promised to agitate for a sympathetic movement in India. The Shanghai Indians form a considerable portion of the municipal police. The antiBritish Indian Society here is striving to cause a strike. The White Russians here are flocking to the recruiting office for civilian volunteers, eager for an opportunity to strike a blow at the Reds. At Hankow the foreign banks have opened business to test the Cantonese authority. The situation is quiet.

BRITAIN’S COUNTER MOVE. ’ LONDON. January 26. “According to reliable reports, the Soviet Government is furiously angry over the despatch of "British naval and military reinforcements to China,” says the Daily Telegraph’s diplomatic correspondent. “for Moscow has repeatedly assured the Cantonese that popular opinion in England and its Communist and Socialis.tic friends there will not permit the Government to send a single unit. Hence the Cantonese were told that they could bluff the British out of every settlement and concession with impunity. The Bolshevist disillusionment is apparently bitter. Moscow hoped to secure the ejection from China, first of Britain and then of America. This would have left Soviet Russia in China confronting only Japan and the smaller European Powers with whom it was thought a deal might have been made.” The correspondent emphasises that Britain was no party to the Chinese civil wars, “’f’he Chinese city and province of Shanghai,” he says, “changed hands several times in recent years. Only only concern was to prevent the Cantonese from over-running the international settlement and abolishing the foreign municipal council.”

ACTION BY LEAGUE. THE MATTER DISCUSSED. LONDON, January 26. Diplomatists and parliamentarians are discussing the possibility of the League of Nations acting in the Chinese difficulty, but in well-informed circles it is pointed out that there is little hope of such an eventuality until there is one consolidated recognised Chinese Government. The present problems largely arise from the internal and domestic instability. Even if action were taken under Article 11 it would require unanimity in the council; but if the Powers involved, directly or indirectly, were eliminated, little San Salvador would remain the only deliberate member of the council. Further, the lack of unity among the Powers docs not augur for unanimity m the League, nor is there any certainty as to whom China’s delegate on the council represents. The chief hope lies In Britain’s precise proposals being communicated to Peking, and then expounded at Geneva, with the chance of inducing an international agreement. Article 11 reads: Any war or threat of war, whether immediately affecting any of the members of the League of not, is hereby declared a matter of concern to the whole League, and the League shall take any action that may be deemed wise and to safeguard the peace of nations. In case any such emergency should arise, the Secretary-General shall on the request of any member of the League forthwith summon a meeting of the council. It is also declared to be the friendly right of each member of the League to bring to the attention of the Assembly or of the council any circumstance V. _atever affecting international relations which threaten to disturb'international peace or the good understanding

nations upon which peace depends. :|5L' DIFFICULT PROBLEM. VISCOUNT CECIL’S VIEWS. LONDON, January 26. ' . viscount Cecil, in a speech at Trow.bridge, dealt with the question of the of the League of Nations on following lines. He said that none Yfnaore desired the removal of the trouble the judicial atmosphere of the league, •W«t how were they to do it? Their only 7*“QPe would be if the Cantonese thems selves desired it. Then they were not sure whether the Cantonese represented a Government or not, but Britain would not raise meticulous objections. r r A’ LABOUR RESOLUTION. y_- SYMPATHY FOR CHINESE. 1 LONDON, January 26. , When ordering that copies be cabled tO , Eugene Chen and the Australian and New Zealand Labour Parties, the National Joint Labour Council adopted a resolution declaring: The Labour movement deplores the ■ flaunted military demonstration against the Canton Government, because it may ■ _ stir up panic and aggression on both 1 sides, rendering inevitable the misfor- ? ,n . es , 5t pretends to prevent; also that r likely to thwart a policy of negotiation and amicable settlemen" on a J basis of the recognition of the Chinese National Government. The British r Labourites demand a patient and honest Pursuit of peaceful negotiations, freed ■, from an armed menace, for the ultimate ", abrogation of treaties andthe immediate r "winding up . of conditions depending • upon the existence of treaties. Wc 1. also send the Chinese workers our sin- .. cere sympathies and support in their v. attempt to improve their economic posirion and establish their country among the self-governing nations. In a covering message to Mr Chen the Labour Council states: “We are confident you will do everything to negotiate a settlement and prevent incidents giving .an excuse for the use of military force.” The resolution was passed after a deputation visited Mr Austen Chamberlain who. replying to the Labour manifesto, recalled the Government’s pacific endeavours, and added: “It will be seen that the Government has every desire for a friendly settlement. It is ready to make liberal concessions, as foreshadowed m the British memorandum, if the Chinese desire to conduct conversations, out the internal dissensions in China render the Government’s task difficult. Disorders resulting in civil war and the dangers threatening the foreigners engaged in. legitimate and peaceful pursuits nave obliged the Government to take the necessary steps to discharge its primary duty to protect lives.”

M. BORODIN INTERVIEWED. CERTAIN OF SUCCESS. . SHANGHAI, January 26. When interviewed at Hankow, M. Borodin, Russian adviser to the Southern Government, attributed the singling out of Britain for attack by the Kuomintang extremists to the fact that no amends were made for the Shanghai, the Shameen, and the Wanshien affairs. Referring to the British memorandum, he said that the only tangible proposal in it placed large sums in the hands of the Northern militarists. Regarding the prospects of the Southerners' holding their ground against the North, M. Borodin admitted that from a military point of view the Northerners might appear to have the advantage, but he declared that they were as good as defeated. 'AMERICA’S ATTITUDE. TREATY REVISION REJECTED. - WASHINGTON, January 26. The State Department will issue a memorandum to-morrow rejecting the Chinese dema'nds for treaty revision. Despite the present menace to American lives and property, the memorandum will express sympathy with Chinese aspirations, and will commit the United States to treaty revision as soon as a stable Chinese Government is able to negotiate; but America will insist on the general abrogation of the extraterritoriality privileges under which American courts and troops are maintained in China. The- memorandum win express entire agreement with the desire to throw off the “foreign yoke,” but will express the conviction that the present condition of the Chinese law courts and the political situation do not afford adequate protection for American lives and property, which would be dependent entirely on them if the American courts and troops were withdrawn. The memorandum will repeat the hope that. China will soon be able to provide conditions of order and progress justifying the desire of the United States to relinquish the protection of legitimate 'American interests to Chinese official institutions. This will depend upon the reform of the Chinese courts, a modification of the native law, and the establishment. of a fairly stable and responsible central Government, able to speak for the Chinese people and enforce the law. The memorandum will commit the Government to a much slower programme of change than that urged by the Porter resolution, which was favourably reported to the House. The memorandum will generally agree with the policies advoat Peking by the United States Minister at Peking (Mr Macmurray) and other American officials.

January 26 The Government is ready to negotiate new treaties with China acting independently of the other powers, but canhot abrogate the existing treaties until new- ones are signed and ratified by the Senate. Meantime it is holding the naval forces available in Chinese waters to protect American life and property should the Chinese authorities fail to accord protection. ' . a This is the substance of the expression of Chinese policy announced by Mr F. B. Kellogg yesterday. It asserts sympathy with China’s nationalistic awakening and strict neutrality between the Chinese factions. The United States Government desires to deal with China “in the most liberal spirit” regarding unequal treaties. All that is demanded for the United States nationals in China is protection and equal treatment with other foreign nationals and the right to pursue legitimate occupations, “without special privileges, monopolies, or spheres of special interest or influence.” The only question is with whom to negotiate. If China can agree upon the appointment of delegates representing the authorities, or the people of the country, the United States Government is prepared to negotiate such a treaty. The statement does not develop any wide divergences of view from the attitude of the British Government, expressed in its memorandum. It stresses, however, the fact that there are no United States concessions in China. Mr Coolidge let it be known in this respect that there is room for a difference in United States and British policy in dealing with the Chinese problem. A JAPANESE STATEMENT. TOKIO, January 26. Japanese officials denounce as pure propaganda the cabled reports that Britain, Japan, and America intend cooperating in a military and naval demonstration of force, because she -consider it premature and liable to react seriously against the participants’ interest and future influence. The Japanese Navy Department has despatched four destroyers for patrol work on the Yangtse, with positive orders not to land troops. RIOTERS ARRESTED. PEKING, January 26. General Hoy Ing-chin, who is the Kuomintang Commander-in-Chief in Fukien, arrested 200 alleged anti-foreign rioters connected with the recent disturbances at Foochow, and executed ten of them.

FAREWELL TO TROOPS. WONDERFUL DEMONSTRATION. LONDON, January 26. It is learned that the eighth destroyer flotilla will probably leave for China on February 10. The Minnesota left- at 9 o’clock this morning. She was accorded a rousing farewell, unparalleled even in the Great War. Friends and relations thronged the quayside. The Marines rushed down the gangways and hugged their wives and sweethearts. Three bands played lively airs, the Marines and those bidding them farewell roaring the choruses. Finally the ship cast off to the strains of “Auld Lang Syne’’ and a wonderful demonstration of cheers from the ship and countercheers from the quayside. The aircraft carrier Argus has been ordered to China. DURHAMS LEAVE CALCUTTA. DELHI, January 26. The Second Durhams embarked to-day at Calcutta for China- Two Indian battalions sail on Sunday. WARSHIPS FROM MALTA. MALTA, January 26. The destroyers Wanderer and Woolstan, the gunboats Aphis and Ladybird, and the hospital ship Maine are expected to leave for China .on February 1. HELP FROM CANADA. NO OFFICIAL REQUEST. OTTAWA, January 26. Confidential reports dav by day of the developments in the Chinese situation are being received regularly by the Canadian Government from the British Government, but so far officially no suggestion has been made in regard to Canadian co-operation in sending troops to China. It is felt here that if the question arises troops will not be sent without the authority of Parliament. ANXIOUS TO RECRUIT. LONDON, January 26. The War Office announces that it has received hundreds of applications from cx-officers and.members of the reserve of offiers for service in China, but they are not required. The Marines’ Recruiting Office at Whitehall is besieged by applicants, and at the Army General Recruiting Office there is a queue of inquirers as in the early days of the Great War. The Army Medical Corps is despatching a general hospital and field ambulance-of the hygienic section for the treatment or infectious diseases. MEN FROM AUSTRALIA. NO INVITATION EXTENDED. LONDON, January 26. It is learned authoritatively that all the suggestions that Australia had ever been invited to send forces to China can be dismissed as entirely lacking in foundation. Australia, in common with all the dominions, has been fully informed regarding the British negotiations, but nothing further was even hinted at.

though some London newspapers continue to throw out hints that some such invitation has been sent out to Australia and New Zealand as the nearest dominions. Official. circles, unlike sections of the London press, realise that there are no outstanding armies in Australia or New Zealand ready for despatch to China at short notice. It is recognised that in the event of a much more serious development of the Chinese trouble it would probably be all over before Australia and New Zealand could go through the lengthy process of giving parliamentary sanction* to participation and the recruiting of volunteer forces, and equipping and transporting them. FIRST TROOPS ARRIVE. SHANGHAI, January 27. Stirring scenes were witnessed on the arrival of the first British protection troops consisting of 400 Punjabis from Hongkong, recalling the days of the British Army’s arrival during the Boxer rebellion, which was the last occasion on which British troops landed in China. Thousands of British people and other nationals and tens of thousands of Chinese lined the streets, the latter being awed by the former’s cheering, which drowned the Punjabis’ brass and bagpipe bands. All are bivouacked in the grandstand of the racecourse in the . heart of the Internationa] Settlement. The situation is quiet. The proposed British plans for the defence of Shanghai are understood to include the seizure of al! the strategic" points outside the International Settlement, not confining the operations to the settlement itself, as it is considered that the defence of the settlement would be impossible should the Cantonese occupy Shanghai. estimated that within 50 davs 20,000 British «troops will be in Shanghai consisting of 9000 regulars, 10,000 naval ratings, and 1000 marines. The occupation of Chinese territory outside the Foreign Settlement would be virtually an act of war and a breach of the treaties, demonstrating Britain’s deterrnination .and regard for the seriousness of the situation. OFFER OF TROOPS. DELHI, January 27. The Viceroy is already receiving offers of tioops for use in China, if required, from Indian princes. SIR RAMSAY MACDONALD. LONDON. January 27. Considerable attention is being devoted to Mr Ramsay MacDonald’s attitude towards . the Chinese situation. Apart from his interview with Sir Austen Chamberlain, Mr MacDonald, in earlier press articles, declared that the influences behind the Chinese movement wore by no means all in the open. Critics observe that .his present mood is another example of his yielding to extremist pressure.— A. and N.Z. Cable. Mr Ramsay MacDonald made the following statement in the Daily Herald oh January 21 regarding his position on the China situation :—“Precautions must bo taken 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 an unfortunate habit of setting intentions aside. Let British Labour keep in touch with Mr Chen as well as their own 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.” JAPAN AND CHINA. TOKIO, January 27. It is understood- that the Government has decided that a new Sino-Japanese treaty shall be concluded on an equal footing and with mutual recognition, the most-favoured-nation treatment being likewise specified. Other points include the recognition of China’s tariff autonomy after the treaty becomes effective under certain provisos. The abolition of extra-territoriality will be recognised in principle, after which the right of residence and business enterprise will be granted to Japanese in any part of China, that country to recognise a graduated tariff for Japanese cotton and yarn tissue and similar special exports. The question of the surtax will not be taken up in the present treaty negotiations, as an international agreement is required first. Chinese vessels will be permitted to operate in the coastal trade in Japanese waters. Later information, however, shows that although the report that a decision had been reached at yesterday’s conference in regard to treaty revision was obtained from apparently reliable sources, no discussion took place, and no decisions were made. The Government was merely explaining to the heads of departments concerned how the question now stands. SOVIET GENERAL STAFF. WARSAW, January 27. ■ A message from Moscow has been published to the effect that great activity is being manifested by the Soviet General Staff. Several regiments of cavalry are standing by, and some Siberian garrisons are already moving to Kalgan, which is 110 miles from Peking. It is estimated that 50,000 Soviet troops are concentrated on the Manchurian frontier. .The Governments of Canton and Moscow are constantly in secret communication. .

LONDON, January 28. The Biga correspondent of The Times says that M. Rudzutak, a member of the Political Bureau, declares that the Red Army will not officially intervene in China however the struggle develops, but the Soviet could not. and would not, restrain Soviet citizens from assisting the Cantonese against their capitalist and Imperialist enemies. AMERICAN ATTITUDE. WASHINGTON, January 27. Senator Borah, in a statement to-day, expressed the opinion that the sending of large British naval and military forces to China might have, disastrous results. He favoured protecting United States citizens in China by bringing them out of danger until all danger had passed. Amplifying Mr Kellogg’s statement, the officials of the State Department said that the Government was ready to enter into negotiations with both the Cantonese and the Northern factions. THE VOICE OF LABOUR. _ . CAPETOWN, January 27. The National Executive Council of the South African Trades Union Congress passed a resolution expressing entire sympathy with the Chinese people in the strangle ta throw off the yoke of foreign exploitation, and condemning the action "of those Governments which have embarked on a policy of military intervention with a view to perpetuating the injustices under which the Chinese are suffering. TALES OF MISSIONARIES. BRISBANE, January 28. Air Burgoync Chapman, a missionary, who is the principal of the Central China Teachers’ College at Hankow, arrived at Cairns by the steamer Taiping. He said that the anti-British movement was growing in intensity, and anything might happen at any moment resulting from the action of some violent agitator or illcontrolled soldier. “It looks as though the generous proposals of the British Government will not he listened to with an open mind,” he said. Mr Chapman blames Soviet influence for the trouble, and says that a very high official of the Cantonese Government told him in all sincerity that revolutionary elements, which were not anti-Christian or anttforeign, had been let loose, and these for the present were beyond control. Another passenger states that halfnaked Chinese would throw themselves against the marines and dare the marines to shoot them. The Chinese would spit in the marines’s faces; yet the latter stood without firing a shot. He says that the evacuation of Hankow was carried out without as much danger as there might have been if the marines had not performed heroic work and refrained from firing. There would then have been a great massacre. A HOPEFUL OUTLOOK. AIR F. MILNER’S VIEWS. WELLINGTON, January 25. That the situations in China and Japan were not at all the subject for alarming and pessimistic visions of either Japanese invasions of the Pacific, or ultimate ‘ chaos, and the decline of British influence in China were the views expressed in a forcible address delivered to the Rotary Club to-day by Mr F. Milner, ALA., rector of the Waitaki Boys* High School, who has given international and Imperial, and especially Pacific problems, a considerable amount of study. Japan, he said, had made a rapid emergence into the comity of nations from practical national obscurity, and since her defeat of a white race in Russia her future was eagerly watched. He considered the fears of a Japanese invasion a journalistic bogey. For one thing Japan’s eyes were not on Australia or New Zealand at all, but on America, whose refusal to include its people in the national quotas had aroused Japan immensely Japan’s eyes were chiefly, however, on China and Korea. Altogether there were not more than 600,000 Japanese in other countries. They were not an emigrating nation. The Japanese were welcomed in Brazil and other parts of South America, but had not taken advantage of the opportunity. He was of the opinion, as were many who had studied the position, that Japan’s immense industrial strides would absorb quite a large proportion of her natural increase. The Japanese were one of the most efficient, if not the most efficient, people in the world, and their fatalistic fidelity to the Mikado, to the extent of the sacrifice of their lives if necessary, was deeply rooted, but he thought that this characteristic, instead of making them a nation of jingoes ready to exercise Chauvinistic tendencies on the rest of the world, would find expression in industrial expansion. It was also wrong to think that Japan discriminated against other nations as residents. She was ready to admit possession of Japanese land by all nationalities permitting Japan Japanese possession of land there. Regarding China, while there were no doubt Bolshevistic intrigues at work, the land was in reality trying to achieve in one effort the five great revolutions that had taken England centuries to emerge from—religious, industrial, constitutional, educational and others, and federal autonomy. .Her real aim might be achieved without danger, especially if she were aided from outside in the proper way. He extolled England’s tolerant attitude of forbearance as likely, together with the application of part of the Boxer indemnity to the amelioration of Chinese problems, "to give Britain her proper place in Chinese estimation to an extent that no other course of action would have achieved. . ,

LEGION OF FRONTIERSMEN. - OFFER OF 206 MEN. 1 - NEW PLYMOUTH, January 26. Lieutenant-colonel Weston, as Commandant of the New Zealand Legion of Frontiersmen, has telegraphed to the Acting Prime Alinister offering 200 men fully equipped for service in China. AUCKLAND, January 25. The telegram, relating to the suggested offer of troops from the dominions was submitted to the Acting Prime. Alinister (the Hon. W. Downie Stewart) to-day. Air Stewart stated that he had not heard of the matter, and the question had never been discussed by the New Zealand Government. , WELLINGTON, January 27. In regard to the Legion of Frontiersmen’s offer of 200 men for service in China, the Acting Prime Minister (the Hon. W. Downie Stewart) has telegraphed as follows to Lieutenant-colonel Claude Watson, New Plymouth: — “Many thanks for your telegram asking me to transmit to the Imperial Govern” ment the offer of 200 trained frontiersmen, for service in China. Ido not think the position has yet become sufficiently acute or critical to necessitate the consideration of the despatch of New Zealand volunteers to China, unless requested to do so by the Imperial Government, and suggest that your generous offer be held in abeyance pending further developments.” NON-INTERVENTION CAMPAIGN. SIDNEY, January 26. The annual congress of the Australian Workers’ Union discussed the possibility of an attempt being made to recruit a contingent of volunteers for service in China, and decided that, should an effort be made the Federal Council of the Aus- ' tralian Workers’ Union would organise a non-intervention campaign throughout the Commonwealth. MELBOURNE, January 25. The Victorian branch of the Seamen’s Union at a stop-work meeting agreed to a resolution that members of the union would decline to man ships carrying soldiers or munitions of war or foodstuffs for troops acting against the Chinese. It was declared by the speakers that another war was threatened over the Chinese position, and that the seamen should take the lead to prevent Australia from participating.