CHINA

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXII, Issue 19359, 14 July 1925, Page 9

CHINA

BRITISH PRECAUTIONS AIRCRAFT CARRIER AND TROOPS MALTA, July 12. It is understood that the aircraft carrier Hermes is going to China next week. It is stated a regiment will be sent from India to Hongkong, and in this connection it has been arranged that the First Borderers shall proceed to Egypt at the doming trooping season instead of two years hence, in order to relieve a regiment in Egypt, which will replace a regiment going from India to Hong Kong. JAPANESE VIEWPOINT BRITAIN BACKS WRONG HORSE SHOULD BE ALLIED TO JAPAN TOKIO, July 12. The newspaper Nichi Nichi reviewing Britain’s recent Far Eastern policy considers that she made a mistake in throwing away Japan and picking up America instead. It considers that America’s attempt to forestall Britain by proposing to call a China conference reflects her China policy and her disregard of Britain in the matter of China. The newspaper believes that this shows that Britain has lost America and as the Anglo-Japanese Alliance has terminated Britain is now isolated in the Far East. Britain realising this will either readjust her relations with America or partly re-establish her former relations with Japan. The situation is so delicate and serious that a moment’s mis-step might entail lifelong regret. Japan will be unable to decide upon the best action till Britain’s intention is ascertained.

The newspapers Jiji and Yomiuri consider the calling of a China Conference useless at present, as China is not yet in a position to benefit. They are of opinion that the Shanghai question must first be settled and deplore the latest action of the diplomats in withdrawing from the Shanghai conferences, as revealing lack of unity. PROPOSED COOPERATION WITH JAPAN TOKIO. July 12. The British Ambassador is credited by the press with having proposed a working agreement with Japan by which the two will co-operate in pro tec,ting British interests in South and Central China and Japanese interests in Manchuria. It is reported that M. Shidehara has agreed to the principle, but is not committed to the details, pending information of how Washington would view such an arrangement. Official information whs refused, M. explaining that the Chinese question was of the greatest importance.

BRITAIN’S POSITION. OUTLINED BY THE TIMESLONDON, July 12. The Times in a leader says: “The Chinese are nut feeble folk, and will not easily acquiesce in any attempt to ruin either their prestige or their trade. There is urgent necessity fur a firm British initiative towards China, which should hoc be circumvented and paralysed by an over-timid regard for the intricacies of the international situation. Britain has too lung neglected her special advantages. She must, in the present crisis which overshadows everything else in international affairs in immediate importance, take her own precautions. Armed intervention in Chinese internal affairs is, of course, impossible, but Britishers throughout China must be rescued and protected in emergency. This is not a question of merely providing refugee ships, ft has become obviously necessary ty assure our naval strength in the Pacific, since the Chinese crisis, in which Moscow is deeply implicated, is only a prelude to furtner complications in which British interests in the Pacific are vitally concerned. The present state of I’ar East affairs has an intimate connection with the discussion of the cruiser programme. We must be assured that we have at our own unfettered disposal the means by which Britishers and British Ear East trade can be continually protected.” PEKING, July 12.

According to Chingpao, Feng Yu Hsiang has issued an order tu troops directing them to avoid Bolshevik propaganda and oppose it to the uttermost, pointing out that Kalgan is on the .•orders of Mongolia and Russia, but tbore is a vital difference between the i habits and customs of the Chinese people and those of these countries, and moreover, the national spirit differs. He concludes by urging the Chinese to adhere to the teaching and practices of their own ancient stages. It is reported that Russian aeroplanes will arrive on .July 13. The Famine Ministry has been requested to provide 20,000 dollars for lhe reception of the aviators. The secretariat of the Chief Executive reported having sent circular telegrams to the provinces saying that the Government maintained its firm attitude from the beginning with regard to the Shanghai affair. The popular movement based on patriotism is to be commended, but actions of bad characters, such as the destruction of homes of foreigners, are to be avoided, as they would be prejudicial to the progress of negotiations. The message concludes: Henceforth, popular agitation must be carried on by peaceful means only. Foreign telegrams from Swatow arc daily becoming more critical. The Anglo-Japanese situation is more complicated, owing to the city being under two different military commanders, with a force insufficient to cope with possible disorders. Cantonese soldiers forcibly entered the English Presbyterian mission at Wukingfu and beat the missionary, whom they stripped naked and wounded with knives. They also beat and .insulted two lady missionaries. Missionaries from Wukingfu. after remaining in hiding for several hours, went Io Swatow, where they arrived exhausted. The British Consul at Swatow is demanding punishment of those guilty ami an official apology and compensation for loss and damage.