CHINA’S NEW ERA.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXIII, 17 March 1927, Page 9

CHINA’S NEW ERA.

Cantonese Policy Defined. ATTITUDE TO FOREIGNERS By Cable—Press Association —Copyright, Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received March IG, 5.5 p.m.) PEKING, March 15. General Ho-Yeng-Yin (Commander-in-Chicf of the Southern forces in Chekiang)* has issued, through the local Kuomintang, a statement concerning the Cantonese attitude toward the foreign settlement. After requesting the foreign authorities in Shanghai to observe the strictest neutrality, the statement declares that the Nationalist Army: (1) Will not attempt to -seize the settlement; (2) will protect, in the fullest measure. the lives and property of foreign residents, and schools and hospitals owned by foreigners within the settlement; (6) the foreign forces, at present in Shanghai to keep within the settlement boundaries, thus avoiding unnecessary misunderstanding, which would inevitably lead to a situation inimical to the peaceful intentions of both parties, and lastly, the Nationalist army, in the campaign against the Norffiern militarists, declares that they have no intention of disturbing the peace and order of the settlement. However, should stray bullets unfortunately fall in the settlement, the foreign authorities are asked to view such accidents in the light of reason and tolerance, as being beyond the Nationalists’ ability to prevent.

FRANCE FAVOURS NEUTRALITY. GOOD ADVICE TO CHINA. By CRblo—Press Association —Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received March 16, 7.55 p.m.) PARIS, March 16. “It is riot a good thing for one country to interfere with the internal quarrels of another,” said M. Briand, when questioned in the Chamber ot Deputies, regarding the French policy in China. “There havo been no happenings in China to cause France to change her attitude of neutrality, hut French interests will be protected if the Shanghai settlement is invaded by bandits and pillagers. When China is unified in a manner that will enable her to give guarantees, she will find France desirous of treating her as a great nation.”