CHINESE TROUBLE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17569, 20 June 1925, Page 11

CHINESE TROUBLE.

DISCUSSION IN COMMONS. By >*r«m A*«o*i*tlon—(Jopyrlzlu Hcuter’s Telegram* LONDON, June 19. A debate in the House of Commons on Shanghai was opened by the Right Hon C. P. Trevelyan (Lab.) who stressed the alarming condition cf China. He j agreed that it was the elementary | duty of the Government to protect the lives cf fellow citizens, in which connection he promised Labour support, but he contended that the origin of the trouble was industrial, while the climax came through unjustifiable shooting. He asserted that the British Government were using their forces to back up capitalistic exploitation. Mr Chamberlain, replying, admitted that the industrial conditions were not ideal and said that the British Government was doing, and had always done, its l>est to effect improve- j meiit. The trouble j deeper seated. He j referred to the i d i s s a t isfaotion j and discontent o- ! the almost inco- j herent and "o- j vernmentless cbiigerjes of countries forming the Chinese Empire, which, not with- | standing the goo iwili and international co-operation promised by the Washington Conference, prevented the Powers doing lit- ' tic more than stand and wait, lie denied that the order to fire was given precipitately. On the contrary, he said, action was not taken until the police station was endangered, with the arms it contained. Mr Chamberlain declared that the Government was anxious to do its utmost to facilitate the stabilisation of the country and proposed to consult with the other Powers to facilitate the most prompt convocation of the Chinese tariff conference as foreshadowed at Washington. He hoped, with the goodwill of the Powers and China, that they would be able to pilot the country through the transition period and re-establish government on firm foundations cf equity Answering a question: ” What is the British Government going to do?” Mr • Chamberlain said that in common with ! ocher Powers interested the British I Government would protect the lives i and property of the British subjects : i. China and hold the Chinese Govern- I menfc responsible for all injuries and damage wantonly inflicted, either on British subjects' or British property. There could be no weakness or hesitation. It was the fundamental duty of every British Government, widen any British Government must discharge. It was not a remedy for the situation, hut it was a necessity arising out of the outrages which lead oc curred. FURTHER RIOTS FEARED. By Telegraph.—Press Assn. —Copyright. Aus. &. X.Z. Cable Association. PEKIN, June 19. A message from Shanghai states that a mass meeting of students and working citizens at. Kwang-tung University decided to call a general strike and also declared a general boycott of British, Japanese and American goods. The date of the strike is unknown, but probably' will he June 20 or 22. It is ieared that anti-foreign outbreaks will follow.