BRITISH POLICY IN CHINA.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXIII, 18 March 1927, Page 9

BRITISH POLICY IN CHINA.

Endorsed by Parliament.

PARTY CONTROVERSY DEPRECATED.

Br Cable —Press Association —Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Cable > Association. (Received March 17, 5.5 pm.) LONDON. March IG. In tlio House of Commons, Major Sir A. C. Morrison-Bell moved it resolution approving tlie Government s foresight and prompt aelion to isaiegnurd ihe lives of Britishers endangered by the civil war in China. .Mr 11. Mitehell-Banks, K.O:, 'r,seconding the motion, said ihafc the Labourites argued that in evei.v dispulo with a Foreign Power, Britain wax always wrong. \\ lien the dispute was between two groups <n foreigners, the Labourites barked those most hostile to Britain. In tho Indian mutiny, they would have congratulated Nansahib, and protested against the relief of Lucknow.

Mr Lloyd George .said be was prepared to support the Foreign Secretary in protecting British lives and property in Shanghai, but he deprei a ted the motion making party capital out the trouble, in China. ft was time enough to move voles of congratulation when the situation cleared.

Tho motion was carried by 241 votes to 116.

LIBERATION OF CHINESE WOMEN. LABOUR'S STRONG PROTEST. By Cable —Press Association —Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received .March 17, 5.5 p.m.) SHANGHAI, March 16. It is reported from Hankow that husbands vigorously demonstrated at the headcpwrter.s of the General Labour Union, crying: “Down with the ‘Women’s Union,” declaring that their homes had been disturbed since tho so-called emancipation of wives, lmd became effectual, owing to tho Nationalists preaching women’s freedom, and free love. Wives no longer return to bed and board, but pass their nights out. The husbands demand the return to tho former custom.

ARMY ILL-CLAD. SAD COMPARISON WITH FOREIGNERS. By Cable—Press Association —Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received March 17, 8.30 p.m.) SHANGHAI, March 16. General Theng Tan, despite a pompous farewell, has not arrived at Shanghai, owing to his officers’ refusal to appeal" in tatters before the welldressed foreign officers. They declined to sail unless given new tunics. The crews have not been paid for four months. Europeanowned dogs are now on short rations, owing to General Chung Chang’s commissariat buying up dog biscuits.

TRAINED ASSASSINS OPERATING. By Cable —Press Association—Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Cablo Association. SHANGHAI, March 16. Labour unrest continues to increase. It now transpires that tho organisation behind the terrorist movement is not local, but consists of 150 trained agitators who arrived from Hankow in the past few days. They captured most of the labour Unions, and are conducting a strike campaign by intimidation and murder. There have been an average of one murder daily itu Shanghai of. foremen or other prominent workers, who opposed the last strike. None of the assassins have been arrested. Strong efforts are being made to disorganise the railway service. Telephones have been tampered with and signal wires cut. Intimidation. led to the local drivers and firemens staff being largely depleted.

HOSTILITIES RESUMED. HEAVY FIGHTING REPORTED. SHANGHAI, March 16. Heavy fighting is reported westward of Taih'u Lake, southward of Ishing. Troops are massing at Soochow-chang-cliow in order to meet the threatened resumption of the Nationalist attempt to cut the railway. MURDER OF LOYAL WORKERS. DISCUSSED IN HOUSE OF COMMONS. By Cable—Press Association—Copyright. Australian And N.Z. Cable Association. LONDON, March 16. Questioned in the House of Commons, Six A. Chamberlain stated that the latest information showed that the assassinations of loyal. Chinese foremen and workmen in the International Settlement in Shanghai by agitators preparing for a renewal of the strike, were increasing. The protection of these men was a primary responsibility of the municipality. It was most undesirable that British troops, there for another purpose, should do what was the municipality’s duty. He understood that American forces had not landed at Shanghai, but were being held in reserve aboard a ship. Describing the recent rioting and looting at Wuliu, he said normally 145 foreigners, including 60 Britishers, were there. He had requested Mr Chen to protect British life and property. Air J. M. Kenworthy: “Are our nationals at Wuhu dependent on the Chinese authorities?’’ Sir A. Chamberlain: “Yes. The Government i s loth to interfere. It has dealt with the Nationalist Government. On that basis it. would discharge the duties of responsibilities it assumed.”