MOST UNSATISFACTORY

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16317, 18 April 1927, Page 7

MOST UNSATISFACTORY

SITUATION IN CHINA

CHEN’S REPLY TO POWERS STRONG ADVERSE COMMENT (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) 'Australian and N.Z. Cable Association., LONDON, April 16., “Nothing could be less satislaetory than Chen’s Note,” says the Daily Telegraph’s diplomatic correspondent. “Neither contrition nor sorrow is expressed for the unspeakable outrages on residents and refugees, both men and women. In fact, with that bad faith and impudence which lias all along characterised his demeanour. Chen flat ly declines either amends or apology for the misdeeds of the Cantonese officials and troops. He studiously ignores the corroborative evidence of the Consuls and nationals of five Powers at Nanking His protest against the. bombardment of what he calls five unfortified city of Nanking reaches the very limit of hypocrisy and mendacity, having regard, firstly, to the outrages perpetrated l>v his subordinates, _ mid, secondly, to the presence in Nanking ot large military forces, rvliose artillery actually fired on the bill where the foreign colony sought haven in the presence of the army command., of the famous arsenal. Chen’s reply would have been different if be had been given an inkling that non-compliance with flic Powers’ demands would be iollowed by serious penalties.” The correspondent concludes: “It. is matter for regret that is is only now known that the Powers have instructed their naval commanders at Shanghai to submit a scheme for the enforcement of the sanctions should amends not be made.”

“Chen’s reply is so. unsatisfactory, says the Observer’s diplomatic corves pondent, “Iliat it- is taken for granted in London that .the next step of the five Powers will be the preparation of some joint action. It is not expected Chon’s light-hearted suggestion for an international inquiry and other such features in his Note will even be answered, but other methods will be adopted, for the purpose of disillusioning him.

PREVARICATORY MANOEUVRE MINISTERS WANT FURTHER NOTE (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. PARIS, April 16. A Pekin message states that the five Powers’ Ministers' have' considered Chen’s, reply and have agreed to make unanimous representation to their Governments that the reply is inadequate and that it. is merely a manoeuvre calculated to weaken the Powers’, demands and create disunity and confuse the question of reparations b\- a conference on totally irrelevant incidents. He only answers one point, namely, the demand that foreigners’ lives and property be respected, but does not. offer any guarantee. The Ministers urge their Governments lo send a further Note to Chen on (be.se lines.

Despite llio disposition of I'ranee (u maintain an attitude of complete neutrality in the Chinese conflict, there was no attempt at the Quai d Orsay today to conceal displeasure at the manner in which (be Canton Government has replied to the live-Power Note. Officials see id the different and separate replies a deliberate attempt _to break the 'unity among the foreign Powers, thus evading the responsibility of the satisfying more than superficially what the Powers demand. It is believed France will decline to budge from her solidarity on the question involved, and stand witli other powers in demanding a definite reply to (heir demands.

JAPAN URGES FORCE (Australian and N.Z Cable Association.' SHANGHAI, April 16. Japanese messages indicate tho enforcement of the Powers Remands 'at Nanking is likelv owing to the cerity of the replies from the Nationalist' Government, The Ministers concerned are meeting repeatedly for discussion, and it is understood all have cabled their respective home governments for instructions. RAID ON COMMUNISTS COUP D’ETAT IN HONGKONG (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.! HONGKONG, April’-16. A naval wireless states that the Canton moderates effected a coup d ctat on April 15, rounding up the Communists and taking similar action with these as Chiang Kai-shek took .at Shanghai Fierce" resistance was put- up by the “Reds.” and armed labor pickets, who were attacked by troops under Government orders. i The headquarters of the Hongkong Strike Committee were the centre of th ■ coup, being taken by storm by the troops, many rifles and much ammunition being secured. During the fight over 100 Communists were killed, and also many troops. Hundreds were wounded on both sides. Chiang, through loyal Canton subordinates, has taken drastic action, routing the “Reds.’- In the early morning Communists dens wove raided and agitators arrested. Ten thousand to 15,000 troops took part in disarming all Communist organisations. Nationalist soldiers are sc.ling respectable Chinese girls in many cities below the Yangtse for 20 cents per catty, roughly 20 ounces. The China Courier, a Chinese-owned English newspaper, declares that Chang Chung-Chang. interviewed, said he had no fear of a Nationalist advance. If the worst came to worst lie could continue to make a fortune by converting his harem into a commercial concern. After fierce fighting- at Shanghai, the Nationalists captured five Northerners including three “White Russians” who were Irving to bomb Nanking. They were court-martin'lod but released alter their noses bad been cut oiUas a warning to others.

FRENCH TROOPS MOBILISE

(Australian nnd N.Z. Cable Association. (Received April 18. noon.) ‘ PARIS. April 17.

Two battalions of the Foreign Legion have been ordered to Saigon, and two battalions of Senegalese will probably bo ordered to China to defend the concession.

“SITUATION IS SERIOUS” SIR r. AGLEN’S VIEWS (Australian and NZ Cable Association. PARTS, April_ 16. Interviewed at Marseilles Sir lunncis Aglen, who is proceeding home from CHna stated that the situation there is serious, and is likely long to continue: It is an entire mistake on the part, ot Europeans, to believe there is a strong and national sentiment among the Chinese. It never existed in the country, which- is absolutely a prey to generals for whom war is moro profitable

than commerce. Rival factions are extracting booty from masses of ' brave people who only! ask to be allowed to work in peace- and who are not interested in political or military quarrels. “We must not wait for the Chinese themse/ves to bring their generals to reason,” he said. “I do not suggest forcing peace but I think an entente cord in !e between the Powers, accompanied by pressure, would-restore economic prosperity. I- am convinced Cliangtsolin’s ascendency is even greater than was that of Yuan Shi-Kni, SCHOOL BOOK PROPAGANDA (Australian ant] N.Z. Cable Association NEW YORK, April 15. American school books written in anti-British tone played an important part in the efforts of the Communists to cause chaos in China. The Earl of Denbigh said on arrival hero that such books were used as propaganda among the literature sent to Chinese by the Communists, who point to tho unfriendly note in the bonks as the attitude of Americans towards Britain. He said (he Bolsheviks .could not hurt Britain by force, but’ eou’.d strike at her foreign trade by creating discontent a.nd strife among the peoples of other lands.