EVENTS EXPECTED

Wairarapa Age, 4 March 1927, Page 5

EVENTS EXPECTED

KEEN SUSPENSE IN SHANGHAI. WAITING FOR NEXT MOVE BY CANTONESE. MORE DESERTIONS IN PROSPECT. I SHANGHAI, March 2. Little of importance has happened since Saturday. The general impression is that an event of the first magnitude is imminent. Every Shanghailander is watching the Cantonese executing mysterious military movements. At a distance of forty miles it is impossible to anticipate the angle where they intend striking. It is believed that they have abandoned the idea of a direct advance by the railway, which is effectively blocked by both anti-Red armies.

The British three miles outside the settlement arc disarming every so’dier entering Shanghai. Tin Cantonese, it is expected, will utilise the dozens of canals leading to .Shanghai in a simultaneous movement, and will also cut off the Shantung forces by seizing the Nanking railway. One of the leading generals of Sun Chuau-fang has joined the Cantonese, and other, are expected to follow suit, being mercenaries, anl the Cantonese reputed io be prompt payers. Foreigners in Shanghai are “between the devil and the deep sea ’’ in reality. In order 'to allay possible fea|s the British forces parade daily the Settlement for tho dual purpose of stimulating confidence in the foreigners, and Impressing the natives with the power of the defenders.—(A. and N.Z.) THE BRITISH TROOPS. SIR AUSTEN CHAMBERLAIN QUESTIONED. STRICT NEUTRALITY OBSERVED. LONDON, March 2. * In the House of Commons the Foreign Minister, Sir Austen Chamberlain, told Commander Kenworthy (Lab.) that it was not in the publio interest to state what instructions had beengiven the British commanders in Shanghai regarding the occupation of Chinese territory outside the Concessions. He had not received detailed reports of the circumstances of the British troops' advance beyond the Concessions. Representatives of the Chinese had not protested against it. Mr. G. Lansbury (Lalb.): “Does the Government consider that it has a right to land troops in any country?” Sir Austen Chamberlain: “Yes, when the Government of that country is unable to protect our nationals?” Mr. Lansbury: “Can the Government's policy be best expressed in the late German Chancellor, BethmannHollwegg’s statement: “Necessity knows no law’?”

The question remained unanswered. Tho Minister told other questioners that in view of the delicate situation at Shanghai, British troops had taken up a precautionary defensive line partly outside the Settlement. Italian forces were collaborating with the British. AN ALLEGED INFRINGEMENT. Mr. Wallhead (Lab.): “Is not the occupation of positions beyond the Settlement an infringement of territoriality and neutrality?” Sir Austen Chamberlain: “The purpose of sending troops was to protect British lives and the troops had to be placed in a position effectively to discharge that duty.” ■ Colonel Wedgwood (Lab.): “Docs this mean that the northern Chinese forces will be. kept out of the territoryoccupied by the British?” Sir Austen Chamberlain: “The British forces are there to keep armed forces and stragglers from the Chinese armies out of the Settlement in order to avoid danger to British lives. Some of Chang Tsung-chang’s troops have entered Shanghai, but not the International Settlement. If the Cantonese arrived opposite the British lines the British troops’ actions would continue to be governed by the complete neutrality and impartiality between the contending forces which has marked British policy throughout.”— (A. and N.Z.)

MR. O’MALLEY AND CHEN.

PROGRESS IN NEGOTIATIONS.

(Received Thursday, 9.5 p.m.) LONDON, March 3. Official circles state that Mr. O’Malloy has made such good progress in Bls negotiations with Chen in reference to Kiukiang that he proposes to leave Hankow shortly to visit Shanghai, and then return to the British Legation at Pekin (A. and N.Z.)