JOINT NOTE

Southland Times, Issue 20148, 7 April 1927, Page 7

JOINT NOTE

Simultaneous Presentation

DEMANDS MODIFIED

China Must Apologise

FULL REPARATION FOR NANKING

The joint Note to China is ready for presentation, and although the demands as suggested from Pekin have been modified somewhat, an apology will be demanded of the Nationalist Government, and full reparation for the Nanking outrages. France and Italy are not associated with the Note, but are being kept posted on the course of events. (By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright.)

JOINT NOTE READY FOR PRESENTATION. FRANCE AND ITALY NOT PARTIES. London, April 5. Following on a consultation with Washington and Tokio, the terms of the British Note have been telegraphed to Sir Miles Lampson, the British Minister, and will be presented simultaneously with identical American and Japanese Notes to the Nationalist Government in Hankow. Although the terms will not be published before presentation, the Australian Press Association learns on reliable authority that the British Cabinet has somewhat modified the demands originally suggested by the diplomatic corps in Pekin. France and Italy will not be parties to the Notes, but they have been kept fully posted on the negotiations through the Ambassadors in Pekin. It is understood the demands include complete reparation for all damage to foreign property in Nanking, and a public apology and trial by Chinese Courts of officers who authorised and even commanded the outrages. There is no hint obtainable of the nature of any threat of reprisals the Note may contain. Meantime looting of foreign property in Nanking continues. Everything movable, even gas and electric fittings, have been taken. The War Office expects the Northamptonshire Regiment to embark for China on the 11th, and the remainder of the reinforcements on the 13th. Official circles have received no confirmation of the reported check to the Cantonese advance northward and do not rely on Chang Tao-lin’s ability long to hold up the Nationalists’ advance.—A. and N.Z. LABOUR DISAPPROVES OF ULTIMATUM. (Rec. 7 p.m.) London, April 5. The Labour National Joint Council, at a meeting held in the House of Commons, passed a resolution appealing to the Government, in view of the contradictory reports from Nanking, to refrain from presenting the Chinese authorities with anything in the nature of an ultimatum based on ex parte statements, the rejection of which would lead to a state of warfare, and demanding that the Government immediately open negotiations in the event of disagreements, to submit outstanding points to an arbitration tribunal under the aegis of the League of Nations, undertaking not to make claims on China except in accordance with the tribunal’s decision.—A. and N.Z. SOVIET PLAYS DEEP GAME.' OFF-SETTING LOSS OF FOREIGN TRADE. (.Tec. 8 p.m.) London, April 5. The Times’ Constantinople correspondent stys that he has learned that Moscow is transmitting substantial sums to the Can- ) bnese, via Constantinople, from which ?ntre the money is being telegraphed to afferent merchants in China as pretended pyment for goods bought by Turkish meraants in China. It is stated that one hunded thousand dollars has been thus translated during the past six weeks.—Times Cble. JAPANESE RESIDENTS TO BE EVACUATED. (lec. 8.30 p.m.) Tokio, April 5. The Japanese Government has decided on aaolicy of withdrawal of all Japanese residnts in the interior of China, pending sitlements, and are not depending on ckotic China for the protection of Japanese mionals or the holding of the non-existent Gnese Government responsible for mob adon. Cabinet has decided that this is th best method of rendering assistance to h< neighbour, pending final definite negoti-

ation of new treaties, or the establishment of a Government able to take control. Japanese residents in Shanghai and at Hankow have already been ordered to leave the country, and will be taken aboard Government ships. Japanese warships remain in all ports in China guarding Japanese property. —A. and N.Z. VALUE OF CHINESE TRADE. (Rec. 9 p.m.) London, April 5. Sir Philip Cunliffe-Lister, in the course of a written reply regarding Britain’s exports to China, showed that each year between 1920 and 1925 there were £41.761,000, £24,833,000, £21,837,000, £17,290,000, £19,082,000 and £13,535,000, and imports from China £4.238,000, £1,374,000, £1,910,000, £2,133,000, £2,952,000 and £2,253,000.—A. and N.Z. IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS LOST. (Rec. 9.30 p.m.) London, April 6. Search is proceeding throughout London for important documents relating to Britain and Japan, lost in a taxi-cab by a member of the Japanese Embassy.—A. and N.Z. AMERICAN JOURNALISTS ARRESTED. CHARGED WITH BEING PROPAGANDISTS. (Rec. 8.30 p.m.) Pekin, April 5. The Chinese police arrested Wilbur Burton and Mrs Mildred Mitchell, American newswriters. on charges of being propagandists for the Nationalist Government, tending to overthrow the constituted authorities and incite the Pekin public to disorder. The alleged propagandists are guarded at their hotel by Chinese police, pending their being handed over to the United States authorities. Both prisoners were formerly employed on Shanghai newspapers.—A. and N.Z. AMERICAN PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES. Washington, April 5. The Cabinet has decided to concentrate at Tientsin in case of emergency all Americans in Northern China. They will be protected there as refugees from Central China are now protected by the American forces at Shanghai.—A. and N.Z. DEBATE FIXED FOR COMMONS. NANKING LOOTING CONTINUES. Rugby, April 5. The Prime Minister announced in the House of Commons that time would be given to-morrow afternoon for a debate on the China situation. Information of to-day’s date from Nanking is that nothing has been done to restrain the looting of foreigners’ houses, practically all of which have now been stripped by soldiers who visit them daily and have torn away all fittings even to the window frames.—British Official Wireless. SOVIET EMBASSY SEARCHED. (Rec. 1.20 a.m.) Pekin, April 6. Acting on the signed authorisation ■of the Diplomatic Corps body, Chang Tso-lin’s troops and armed police raided the Soviet Embassy. One shot was heard, whereafter a Russian was dragged out bound and carried off in a motor car. Six Russians and 15 to 20 Chinese were removed t» the police station. A machine gun and fifteen rifles, and a quantity of ammunition were removed from the Embassy. It is understood that the Soviet Charge d Affaires and other officials are being detained in their offices. The troops still occupy the buildings.—A. and N.Z.