CHINA SITUATION

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16261, 9 February 1927, Page 8

CHINA SITUATION

DISCUSSED IN COMMONS LABOR LEADER’S ATTACK PREMIER’S STRONG REPLY ‘MUST PROTECT BRITISH LIVES’ (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) (Received February 9, 1 p.m.) LONDON, February 8. Speaking in the House of Commons regarding tlie position in China, Mr. MacDonald said that it could only be described us of grave importance. Wc had created a new situation by sending out a defence force of soldiers to act as policemen. Jt might and might not increase the security of British people in Shanghai. The first effect was to unite Pekin and' Canton in a protest. The only way to diminish the risk to our nationals" was to get such arrangements under consideration as to make an outbreak of violence impossible. He asked : Had Mr. Eugene Chen been approached regarding a guarantee of security? The Government, was playing with fire iu sending troops. He urged the House to do everything in its power to get negotiations resumed. Then the forces could be diverted. XJninfluential elements in China did not want a peaceful settlement. Their influence would be greater so long as our policy was in doubt. Nothing would complicate foreign relations more than a breach with Russia. Did Mr. Baldwin contemplate a change in the Russian policy? Personally, ho hoped to see Britain in closer touch. THE PREMIER’S REPLY. In the course of his reply, Mr. Baldwin announced that there would be a debate on China on Thursday. He doubted whether Air. MacDonald would liavo spoken as he did if he had been the responsible head of the Government. There were appearances in China to-day reminiscent of those preceding the Boxer troubles. The danger was not only from Shanghai mobs. If bloodshed had begun at Hankow it, might have resulted in Chinese troops fighting tho mob, and it, might easily have been n massacre.

Mr. Baldwin added: “We have sent the forces advised as necessary to defend our people in the international concession If the complication should arise of a real struggle to capture tho concessions and murder the inhabitants on tho part, of the mob, together with troops from either tho beaten or victorious army coming into Shanghai. Our forces have been sent, to the Far East to safeguard British Jives in China, particularly in Shanghai. That, was, and is the Government’s only policy. 'Die question of the time, and the manner of the troops’ landing at Shanghai must depend on advice lrom our representatives on the spot,. If they consider an emergency requires immediate disembarkation at Shanghai, we shall act accordingly. If not, the leading brigado will be held in readiness at Hongkong, while the rest of the force is approaching. There can be no question of enterin'!? into an agreement with Air. Eugene Chen or anyone else iri connection with tho movement of troops despatched solely with the object of protecting British lives. (Cheers.)

“ Wo could not shorten the internal Chinese struggle by entering it ourselves,” he added. “We must, he ready for the day when there will he a united Government in China. By making the most generous advances simultaneously to both parties, and by discussing what they could do to come together in order when the internal struggles are ended, wo will be able to enter new, friendly, and propitious relations with that great country. (Cheers.) “too muciTtalk’’ (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.' (Received Fob. 9,2 p.m.) LONDON, Feb. 8. In tho House of Lords Lord Haldane .thought; that during a delicate crisis like the Chinese nobody but tho Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister should speak, as other Ministers’ utterances published in China were calculated to create distrust. He did not question .the Government’s obligation to protect our women and children in Chinn, but all the talk of an expeditionary force would bo most harmful. It would have been better to preserve silence nnent the destination of tho forces.

Lord Beauchamp agreed that all the talk of an expeditionary force had given an unfortunate appearance of aggression, which was bound to be harmful and affect negotiations. Lord Salisbury, referring to his own visit to Australia, wished .that there were more opportunities for Hie Peers and members of the (House of Commons to see the Dominions. This would redound to the welfare of the Empire. Lord Haldane’s rebuke was indiscreet. His speeches ought to be addressed to Lnboritcs, not to Ministers.