THREAT FROM CHINESE CIVIL WAR

Taranaki Daily News, 5 April 1927, Page 7

THREAT FROM CHINESE CIVIL WAR

POWERS STILL LACK UNITED POLICY NORTHERN CAPTURE OF YENCHENG MORE CRIMES AGAINST FOREIGNERS The feature of the latest news from China is the success of the anti-Cantonese General Chang-Tso-Lin, who is reported to have captured Yencheng, within 200 miles of Hankow and 100 miles of the Nationalist advance guard in Southern Honan. Meanwhile unanimity has not been reached by the Powers regarding action against the threatening repetition of outrages against foreigners, which continue in various centres.

By Telegraph—Piesc Assn.—Copyright. Received April 4, 10.30 p.m. Peking, April 4. Chang-Tso-Lin’s headquarters officially announces the capture of Yencheng, about 90 miles down the Peking-Hankow railway, southward of Chengchow. It is understood that Chang-Tso-Lin does not intend t.o advance further at present in view of possible danger to both flanks, but will await developments near the southern Shantung border, where the Nationalists are advancing northward against Chang-Tsung-Chang. If the news regarding Lencheng is true, it means that Chang.-Tso-Lin has now got within 200 miles of Hankow; and within 100 miles of the Nationalist advance guard on southern Honan. AMERICAN COMMERCIAL VIEW. UNITED ACTION ADVOCATED. Received April 4, 10.45 p.m. Shanghai, April 4. The American Chamber of Commerce has issued a statement that the repeated assurances by militarists and other spokesmen of the political factions that they can and will, protect the life and property of foreigners are irreconcillable with recent events leading to the necessity for the evacuation of the entire Yangtse Valley. The adoption of a conciliatory policy by Foreign Governments, it is stated, is merely strengthening the lawless elements, and encourages outrages like that at Nanking. Of all the cities in the Yangtse Valley Shanghai alone is comparatively safe for foreigners. This is due entirely to the presence of foreign warships and the military. It is obvious that a protective policy, applying to Shanghai alone, will not enable China to put her house in order, nor prevent enormous losses from the evacuation of the interior districts. “We are convinced that the future welfare of the Chinese people,” states the report, "and the ultimate safety of American and other foreigners in China, can be attained only by unified action of the Powers to suppress disorder and restore conditions favourable to the formation of a responsible Government. UNITED STATES DEMANDS. “REASONABLE” TERMS SUGGESTED. Received April 4, 7.30 p.m. New York, April 4. Th© New York World’s Washington correspondent states that whatever demands the United States’’ Government may make on the Cantonese Government as the result of the Nanking affair, they will be couched reasonably with a view to insuring compliance. The administration is apparently disposed to make allowances for the disturbed conditions at the time of incident, namely, the withdrawal of the Northern forces and the subsequent taking over of control by the Cantonese. The policy adopted will be firmness, followed by moderation, on the theory that extreme demands would be useless and would probably only aggravate the already tense situation.

An effort will be made to impress the Cantonese authorities with the seriousness of the outbreaks against foreigners and representatives of Foreign Governments, which are virtually attacks upon those Governments themselves. JESUIT FATHERS KILLED. CANTONESE CRIME AT NANKING. Received April 4, 7 p.m. z Paris, April 4. The newspapers are giving prominenca to the fate of the two Jesuits, Fathers Dubous and Manama. It is officially announced they were put to death at Nanking by order of the Cantonese authorities. The bodies were mutilated after execution, and left unburied for several days. NEUTRALITY OF FRANCE. M. BRIAND SATISFIED. Received April 4, 5.5 p.m. London, April 3. The Paris correspondent of the Times says that unofficial reports indicate that M. Briand, addressing the Foreign Affairs Committee, professed he was satisfied with France’s position in China, on the grounds that France’s policy of neutrality enabled her representatives to negotiate with anybody and everybody. He is reported to have declared that France had refused the British invitation to participate in joint action, and expressed satisfaction that the French Government was not implicated in the Nanking bombardment. JAPANESE CLASH WITH MOB. EVACUATION OF HANKOW. Shanghai, April 3. It is reported from Hankow that Japanese bluejackets clashed with a mob of Chinese and the evacuation of all Japanese from the concession has been ordered. MEANING OF REINFORCEMENTS. POLICY NOT NECESSARILY CHANGED London, April 3. The Observer’s diplomatic correspondent states that official quarters explain that the despatch of mor© troops to China does not foreshadow any change of policy. A distinction is made between the Nanking outrages and the general problem. The Nanking episode is regarded as merely an interruption of the major diplomacy, though so serious that the Government has decided to exact redress elsewhere. It is pointed out that it is essential

there should be an adequate force oh the spot when the. demand is made for reparations for the Nanking outrage. The troops defending Shanghai cannot be withdrawn for duty elsewhere, and are none too numerous for the present policing work. NANKING INVESTIGATIONS. WARNING EASES SITUATION. (British official Wireless.) Rugby, April 2. Further investigations of last week’s happenings at Nanking have established the fact beyond question that the killing of foreigners and the complete looting of practically all foreign houses, including three Consulates, was the work of Hunanese Nationalist soldiers. At least eight foreign houses were burned down, and the looting continued for several days after the outrages of March 24, when seven foreigners were killed and a number wounded. Fantastic stories circulated from certain Chinese and other sources allege that shells fired from British and American vessels on that date caused the death of thousands of Chinese and damaged half the city. The actual casualties to the Chinese civilians is reliably reported to have numbered only three. Fire from the warships was opened jus" in time to prevent the wholesale massacre of foreigners, and was directed on unoccupied ground near Secony Hill, for the protection of a party of foreigners, who were themselves escaping under fir© from the Chinese soldiery. The Chinese have now mounted a 10-inch gun on Lion Hill, Nanking, commanding the river. The remaining foreigners from Changsha have reached Hankow. At Wuhu a Spanish bishop and 21 priests are now on board the British cruiser Caradoc, to which the foreign community was withdrawn during the demonstration yesterday, at Kiukiang, which the Americans and Japanese communities are about to evacuate. The serious warning given jointly to the local authorities by British, American and Japanese naval commanders and Consuls, has had a salutary effect in easing the situation. SHIPS’ OFFICERS WARNED. AGREEMENT TO STAND BY. Shanghai, April 3. Indicative of the threatening situation in Shanghai is a warning given by the British Consul to the general union of officers of the British merchant marine, who threatened to tie up Chinese coastal vessels following a reduction of pay by the companies. The consul warned the representatives of the officers that such action would be unpatriotic and would imperil the lives of women and children, who might be compelled to take refuge on the British ships in the harbour at any moment in the event of the receipt of a, vital message from Britain. Th© officers agreed to return to their ships, sink their grievances and keep up steam in anticipation of a national emergency.

CABINET MEETING DAILY. BOMBING REPRISALS HINTED. London, April 1. No news has been received 1$ th© Foreign Office which in any way relieves the gravity of the outlook in China. Cabinet is meeting daily to discuss the subject. Mr. Baldwin has decided not to depart for Chequers to-day and Sir Austen Chamberlain is spending the week-end in London. The presence of several members of the Imperial Defence Committee at the afternoon’s Cabinet meeting gave rise to reports in th© evening papers that the despatch of more troops had been demanded for China, but this is officially denied, though it is admitted that the Admiralty and War Office have completed plans for the embarkation of further forces if, and when, needed. The British, American and Japanese Ministers, at Peking, have already conferred and tentatively outlined the demands which they have recommended their respective governments to make against the Cantonese as reparation for th© Nanking outrages. Britain does not intend to act alone, and is seeking an agreement with Washington and Tokio before formulating a note to the Cantonese. That the Government must lose no time in presenting the demand is realised, but no inkling is available officially what punitive steps could be taken in the event of the Cantones© rejection of the Powers’ demands. , Unofficially it is suggested .Sir Hugh Trenchard’s attendance at the Cabinet to-day might imply air bombing reprisals in the districts from which officers responsible for the Nanking affair come. Everyone admits that large scale punitive war Is impossible and unprofitable viewed from the military and commercial standpoints, and it is very unlikely to be proposed by the Government in face of th© staggering deficit. Nevertheless, the feeling in influential quarters is that th© Cantonese somehow must be clearly shown that Nanking must not be repeated. A firm attitude is regarded as most imperative, lest worse happenings occur. Generally speaking it may be stated that the official view is that the British policy of conciliation and negotiation is at prc:.*!t impossible till Nanking is atoned for. The policy outlined in Sir Austen Chamberlain's memoranda can be regarded dsi “temporarily adjourned.”