DRIVING ON

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19730, 27 December 1926, Page 7

DRIVING ON

RELENTLESS CAMPAIGN A CANTONESE CUNNING MENACE TO HANKOW. REDS AIM STEADILY AT OBJECTIVES. By Telegraph—Per Press /jam. —Copy rich t. SHANGHAI, Dec. 23. Although the absence of violent outbreaks in Hankow suggests quietness, such is entirely contrary to the facts. There is indisputable evidence of tnc Cantonese achieving their ends by subtle, but nevertheless effective, means, demonstrating the cunning hand of the Soviet, which is insufficient to cause the foreign intervention desired by merchants and residents, who realise that only a wholesale massacre of foreigners would cause the Powers to intervene.

The Hankow .situation is rapidly taking over the conditions obtaining in Canton prior to the so-called lifting of the boycott. The Cantonese, not content with establishing a Nationalist Government recognisable by the Powers, are pushing their programme aiming at driving out all foreigners from China and hoping that a relentless campaign of strikes and disorders will cause the foreigners to leave disgusted, thereby relinquishing the concessions, the control of which is coveted by the Reds.

The cannon of Hanyang arsenal overlooking the Hankow concessions are trained on Hankow, which is regarded by foreigners as an empty but significant threat.

Daily reports arriving from interior cities state that foreigners have been warned to evacuate by the consult who are unable to guarantee their further safety. BRITAIN’S PROTEST SUPPORT FROM BELGIUM. MISRE PRESENTATIONS BY CANTONESE. Received Dec. 26. 7.30 p.m. LONDON. Dec. 24. Only the Belgian Government so far has openly expressed approval of the British Memorandum to China, says the “Daily Telegraph’s” diplomatic correspondent. Japanese opinion is more critical than was anticipated, while French opinion is distinctly cautious. America, on the other hand, could hardly view London’s generous gesture with disfavour. The Cantonese, however, are far from satisfied. Apparently they resent their failure to secure recognition as a de jure Government. The obvious reply is that Chen and his colleagues are not yet the exclusive rulers of China.. If and when they become so their claim will be difficult to withstand.

Meantime the n on-publication of the full text of the Memorandum has greatly helped the Cantonese misrepresentations. Publication was only withheld out of courtesy to the Treaty Powers, hut Britain will not be able to wait indefinitely for their views.