LAST STAND IN CHINA

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXIII, 24 January 1927, Page 9

LAST STAND IN CHINA

British Decision To Defend Shanghai

MR BALDWIN CONSULTS PARTY

LEADERS.

SEEKING SETTLEMENT THROUGH POLICY OT

CONCILIATION.

Although the cable messages this morning do not indicate any material change in the situation in China,, it is plain that the British authorities are making preparations to defend Shanghai. It Is pointed out that. Britain’s policy of conciliation continues, but a determined stand will be made at Shanghai to resist the aggression of the Cantonese, and re-establish British prestige in the East, The Japanese Government announces Its refusal to co-operate with Britain, and diplomatic negotiations are proceeding between the British representative at Peking and “Eugene” Chen, as spokesman for the Peking Cabinet.

BRITAIN'S CONCILIATORY ATTITUDE.

| SERIOUS STRIKE IN SHANGHAI

RIOTERS DISPERSED IN STIFF FIGHT.

NO CHANGE IN POLICY. j

RE ASO XABL E PR EC A U TI.O N S

By Cable—Press Association—Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.

IMPERATIVE

(Received January 23, 5.5 p.m.) SHANGHAI, January' 22.

By Cable —Press Association —Copyright, Australian and N.Z, Cable Association. (Received January 23, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, January 21.

In connection with the tramway strike, the workers took possession of several trams, entered the British settlement, and created disturbances. Simultaneously an attempt was made to capture the Central Police Station. Riot squads were called out, and after a fierce fight., and firing shots in tho air, the police dispersed the rioters. Sevoral leaders were arrested.

After Hie Cabinet meeting, the Government issued a. statement ieitemting that the naval and military dispositions in connection with China arc precautionary. Sensational announcements in this connection should be deprecated and disregarded. The Government’s solo object is to fulfil the elementary duty of protecting British lives. There is no modification of Britain’s conciliatoriness towards the legitimate aspirations of Chinese nationalism, laid down in the memorandum of December 25. On the contrary, conversations are progressing at Hankow and Peking, which, if successful, will largely realise the concessions the Government is willing to make for the purpose of placing Anglo-Chinese relations on an equitable and mutally profitable basis leading to friendly settlement. Mr Baldwin delayed his departure to Chequers, in order that he might preside at the Cabinet meeting. Party-Leaders Consultod. The significance of Mr Lloyd George’s and Mr Ramsay Macdonald s interviews witli Sir Austen Chamberlain was that Britain’s decision to make a final stand at Shanghai, with whatever military and naval forces are needed, in defence of British interests, was fully explained, and it is understood that both Mr Lloyd George and Mi - Macdonald assented.

The omnibus attendants to-day joined the strike. Tho police have been mobilised, in anticipation of further trouble.

JAPAN ASKED TO CO-OPERATE

REQUEST “COURTEOUSLY

DECLINED.”

By Cable —Press Association—Coyiyright, Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.

(Received January 23, 5.0 p.m.) TOIvIO, January 22.

The newspapers assert that Britain has asked Japan to assist, in an effort to restoro the lost position on tiie Yangtse-Iviang, but Japan courteously declined, pointing out that tho delicacy of tho situation demands that Japan should refrain from ihe use of naval and military demonstrations indicating force.

WARSHIPS MOVING EAST,

Mr Ramsay Macdonald made a statement in the “Daily Herald” regarding his position on the China situation : “Precautions must bo taken till the negotiations have removed all dangers, but precautions can be easily overcome. No one should welcome more than Eugene Chen precautions that mean no menace to him. My fear is that the limits of wisdom are being exceeded, and that Eugene Chen may think that forces are being gathered as the Fleet. J. do not think this is Sir Austen Chamberlain’s intention, but programmes of action have an unfortunate liabit of setting intentions aside. Let British labour keep, in touch with Eugene Chen, as well as their own Government, and put up the strongest pica they can for both sides to negotiate for the suppression of force. I hope the Government will issue, as soon as expedient, instructions to the secretary (Mr O’Malley).”

DEPARTURE FROM PORT SAID

By Cable —-Press Associotion —Copyright, Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.

(Received January 23, 5.5 p.m.) PORT SAID, January 21.

Tho warships Frobisher, Delhi, Sauae and Dragon have arrived here, and are refuelling. They are proceeding to China immediately.

EASTERN SHIPPING AFFECTED

BRITISH-] NDIA STEAMER COMMANDEERED.

By Cable —Press Association—Copyright, Australian aud N.Z. Cable Association.

(Received January 23, 5.5 p.m.) SYDNEY, January 25.

An echo of tho Chinese trouble is to be found in advices received from Calcutta, that a British-ludia steamer, which usually rims to Australia, has been commandeered by the Indian Government to send to China. A smaller steamer will replace her on the Australian run.

BRITAIN’S POLICY OUTLINED*

NO NEED FOR ALARM:

By Cable—Press Association —Copyright. Australian and N.Z. 'Cable Association. (Received January 23, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, January 22. The War Office communique etates that four battalions have been ordered to proceed to China, including certain categories of reservists. The Cameron Highlanders, and thu Ist Battalion of the Middlesex Regiment have been ordered to hold themselves in readiness to proceed to China. All leave has been stopped. A semi-official explanation says that overmuch importance must not be attached to the calling up of reservists, who are only those recently discharged. There is no intention of calling upon reserves generally by Royal proclamation. It is reiterated that the situation in China shows no change; therefore, tfco decision has not been tnken because of the alarming news received, but n. would be futile to await bloodshed before taking precautions. Such measures are merely precautionary. “We cannot too strongly emphasise that the British Government lias no war-like intentions.” Negotiations may be slow, but they always are witli tho Chinese.

SITUATION IN HANKOW

NEGOTIATIONS Pll OCEEDJ j\ G

By Cable—Press Association —Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. PEKIN, Jan. 21. A naval wireless message reports that the Hankow situation is quiet. Conversations are proceeding between Mr 0. St-C. O’Malley (British Charge d’Affaires, of the Peking Legation) and Mr Eugene Chen (representing the Canton Govern ment). At Kaikiang the situation is serious. The French Consul was held prisoner bv the strike pickets and released only on foreigners undertaking that he would not leave the concession.

At Ichaiig, virulent anti-British posters were distributed.

More refugees have left for Hankow At Shasi the military endeavoured to comnuindeer a British tug. The warship Cockchafer effected her release.

Anti-forciirnism is rampant in Amoy Foochow- S\va+ow aud Canton

TROOPS FROM INDIA

EMBARKING FROM CALCUTTA. By Cable —Press Association—Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received Januarv '23, 11.30 p.m.) DELHI, January 22. The Indian Government has chartered two A.P.C.A.R. Lino steamers to convey troops to China. It is understood tho 20th Infantry Brigade from Jhansi, consisting of British artillery and infantry, and Indian troops’ will embark in a few days at Calcutta. SENSATIONAL REPORT. . SERIOUS DEVELOPMENTS AT HANKOW. By Cable —Press Association—Copyright. Austraiian and N.Z. Cable Association. PEKIN, January 21. A private foreign wire from Hankow states that the situation ther e has developed seriously. A thousand British and American men are being evacuated. No official confirmation has been received up to the present.