BOYCOTT AND ALARM ON THE YANGTSE

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 14, 7 April 1927, Page 1

BOYCOTT AND ALARM ON THE YANGTSE

WARSHIPS HASTENING

CONCENTRATION AT HANKOW

GENERAL STRIKE AND LOOTING

A general strike and boycott of all foreign goods has been declared along the Yangtse. The Japanese are evacuating the Yangtse Valley and the warships are rushing to important parts on the river. Looting continues at Nanking, and British subjects venturing ashore are threatened with death. There were noisy scenes in the House of Commons during a debate on the Chinese situation.

By Cable- — Press Association.—Copyright Heed. 9.40 a.m. SHANGHAI, Wed. A general strike and boycott of all foreign goods along the entire Yangtse has commenced, and the situation is rapidly becoming graver. All the Japanese are evacuating the Yangtse Valley, and the warships of the Powers’ Asiatic fleets are rushing to important ports. A large fleet is concentrating at Hankow, where the Japanese admiral has given his sworn word and honour to prevent the Chinese trespassing in the Japanese concession. He promises to maintain the dignity of the Imperial Japanese Navy. At its present strength the Japanese landing party at Hankow is 300, and is being hurriedly reinforced. The cruiser Tentyu is en rou e. A wireless message from Nanking says that anti-foreign feeling is still evident and foreign houses are still being looted. A Northern airplane dropped two bombs at Pukow and three on Nanking City.—A. and N.Z. LOOTING UNCHECKED TURMOIL AT NANKING WARNING TO BRITISH Bn Cable. — Press Association.—Copyright Reed. 9.40 a.m. LONDON, Wed Looting at Nanking continued unchanged until Monday. An officer in charge of the Nationalist army sent a warning that any British subject going ashore would be shot. Similar Incidents are reported from Chekiang, Inchang and other places under Nationalist control. —Sun. LABOUR HECKLERS DEBATE IN COMMONS • NOTHING JUSTIFIES WAR By Cable. — Press Association.—Copyright Reed. 11.20 a.m. LONDON, Wednesday There was a crowded attendance at the House of Commons when Mr. Ramsay MacDonald initiated the debate on China. In doing so, he said that no one could say what was going to happen there. The dispatch of the Shanghai Defence Force had undoubtedly increased the difficulties of negotiating without increasing the protection of British subjects outside Shanghai. It also fed the traditional Chinese suspicion, although he believed it was baseless. Not Shanghai, but the whole of China was the immediate test of the British policy. Nobody could •ay before an inquiry what had happened at Nanking, therefore he urged that the Government use the method of inquiry. Personally, he was glad that Bri'■ain, America and Japan were presenting Notes and not ultimata. There should be a clear statement. If the League of Nations could make an inquiry into the Nanking affair it would do a tremendous lot of good. He hoped that Sir Austen Chamberlain would not decline to use the League. People should know what was in the ®mds of the War aud Foreign unices in sending out more troops and how far Great Britain was acting alone in such matters. It was not to Protect British interests, for the market of British goods was circumscribed and barred by prejudice and ill-will. The Chinese had learnt the power of the boycott. Mr. R. Mitchell-Bauks, Conservative, said that Mr. MacDonald's speech recalled the proverb "in the kingdom of the blind a one-eyed man is king.” He wished Mr. MacDonald could Sive some vision to his party, but unfortunately his kingdom was governed not from the Throne, but from the ante-chamber. Continuing, Mr. M itchell-Banks •aid that Mr. MacDonald held mat revolutionary propaganda in me East was based on history, “ ut the Independent Labour Party was busy preparing history °h which to base its propaganda.

If anybody spread suspicion it was the Labour Party by its meetings and resolutions. If there were a disaster members of the Labour Party would be its chief authors. If Sir Austen Chamberlain had to defend himself it would be against pushing virtue and patience almost to a fault. CRIES FOR CHAMBERLAIN After Colonel J. C. Wedgwood had spoken, there were loud cries for Sir Austen Chamberlain. The deputy-Speaker called on Sir Alfred Mond to speak, but the interruption continued. Mr. Oswald Mosley shouted “We are debating the Government’s policy without hearing what it is.” Sir Alfred Mond began amid a chorus of Labour interruptions and cries of “Poison-gas.” The Speaker warned both Mr. A. A. Purcell, Labour, and Mr. J. Beckett, Labour, who consistently interrupted Sir Alfred Mond. Sir Austen Chamberlain, replying, said that the whole city of Shanghai was created by foreigners and existed and prospered because of foreigners. Great Britain was ready to negotiate and to meet the Nationalist aspect and remove the special conditions rendered necessary by past conditions as soon as China could give foreigners the same justice and security as the Chinese obtained elsewhere throughout the civilised world. A STUDENTS’ “RAG” While Sir Austen Chamberlain was reading a report on Ichang, Mr. R. C. Wallhead, Labour, interjected with sounds like a students’ rag-day. There were cries of “Order.” Sir Austen: What interest does the member serve by minimising these outrages? Mr. Wallhead: Nothing I have heard justifies war. Sir Austen, continuing, said that Britain mpst know the attitude of responsible Chinese authorities towards the outrages. He believed that all the Powers were in substantial agreement that it was necessary to require redress. . Sir Austen did not want to speak too confidently, but he knew that an agreement had been reached by the Foreign Ministers at Peking, but he was not absolutely certain regarding the attitude of their Governments. All the indications were that Japan, the United States and Great Britain were not merely in agreement In asking for reparations, but also regarding what reparations should be asked. Continuing, Sir Austen said the Nationalist authorities must understand their reputation as a Government, and the honour of China required them to give full satisfaction and reparation. He read the British Vice-Consul's report of the outrages at Nanking and pointed out that looting was continuing there without the Chinese authorities attempting to interfere. A similar state of affairs wa= Proceeding in every place under the National’-' ' control, including looting and outrages on hospitals. These attacks were not confined solely to British subjects or interests.

The most significant feature of the present debate was that the Labour members had not moved again demanding the recall of the Defence Force. . .

Did Labour desire to expose British subjects in Shanghai to the dangers realised at Nanking? The Government was pursuing a policy of conciliation and adjustment to meet the new Chinese aspirations. Sir Austen, concluding, amid cheers said: “But we are not prepared to hustle from China or withdraw our nationals from Shanghai and other places, or allow them to be treated as though the lives of our people are of no account.”

Mr. Lloyd George paid a tribute to the courage with which Sir Austen Chamberlain had faced a difficult task, and had continued to pursue the policy specifically laid down a few months ago. The Hon. C. P. Trevelyan. Labour: If we went to war against China we would probably do so alone. Our trade would pass into the hands of the Powers standing aloof. The Labourites forced a division on the motion to adjourn, but was defeated by 277 votes to 117. Sun. LEAVING INTERIOR JAPANESE AT HANKOW SHIPS WILL PROTECT PROPERTY By Cable —Press Association. —Copyright TOKIO, Tuesday. The Japanese Government has de cided to withdraw all Japanese sub jects residing in the interior of China, pending a settlement of the present troubles. It feel that it carnot de pend upon chaotic China for the pro tection of Japanese r:.’ionris, nor can it hold a non-existent Chinese Government responsible for the action of mobs. Cabinet has agreed that this is the best method of rendr-iug assistance to Japan's neighbour until a final and definite negotiation of new treaties is

carried out, or until a new Government has been established able to take control of the country. A concentration of Japanese residents in China at Hankow has already been ordered. From there they will be taken on board Government ships. Japanese warships will remain at all the ports in China to guard Japanese property. —A. and N.Z.