POWERS’ NOTES REJECTED

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19818, 18 April 1927, Page 7

POWERS’ NOTES REJECTED

THE NANKING RIOTS Cantonese Split Developing Drastically COMMUNISTS ROUNDED UP A fresh setback for the Bed element is reported in to-day *s news from China. Following his sensational coup at Shanghai, General Chiang Kai Shek instituted a round-up of Communists at Canton. From the international aspefct the situation is not very cheering. The Cantonese have rejected the Notes presented by Britain, Japan, Italy, France and the United States, and the next move is anxiously awaited.

[By Telegraph—Per Press Assn.—Copyright.]

GUILT DENIED « CANTON’S REPLY. EVASIVE PROPOSALS. (A- & N.Z.) SHANGHAI, April 15. The Nationalist Government has replied to the identical Notes of the United States, Britain, Japan, France and Italy by failing to agree to any of the Powers’ demands. The reply proposes the appointment of an international commission to revise the unequal treaties and investigate Nan..kmg affairs. The Note to America says that the Nationalist Government is prepared to make good all damage to the American Consulate at Nanking on the ground that, whether or no such damage was caused by Northern rebels or others, the fact remains that an American Consulfate on Chinese territory had been violated. Regarding reparations for personal injuries to the United States the nationals and other material damage, the Nationalist Government is prepared to make reasonable reparation, except in cases where it is definitely proved that it had been caused by the British and American bombardment or by the Northern rebels and agents provocateurs. Will not Admit Culpability. The Note says that the demands for the adequate punishment of the commanders of Nationalist troops for murder, injuries, indignities, and material damage assumes the guilt of the Nationalist forces capturing Nanking, while this guilt is contradicted. A rigid Government inquiry is being conducted in order to ascertain the actual facts. The Govertiment proposes that questions of punishment should await the findings either of the Government inquiry or of an international commission of inquiry. As the Haws of nations prohibit the bombardment of cities of friendly States, the Government proposes that such commission of inquiry should also investigate the circumstances of the bombardment of unfortified Nanking. The Nationalist reply regarding demands for an apology from the’ Command er-in-Chief of the Nationalist forces says: “The Government proposes that this should await determination of the question of guilt. Meantime, it repeats its expression of regret which the Minister of Foreign Affairs communicated to the United tSates Government when the violation of the consulate was reported.” China and the Powers.

The Note continues: 1 ‘The Nationalist Government, as the responsible governing body, cannot countenance the use of any form of violence and agitation against foreign lives and property. Tho Nationalist army will be instructed to afford proper protection for foreign property. The Government, however, emphasises that the best guarantee for effective protection lies in the removal of the fundamental cause of the present trouble between Nationalist Chinh. and the powers who sustain the unequal treaties. It is the’se which constitute the chief danger to foreign lives and property, which danger will persist so long as effective government is rendered difficult by foreign insistence in conditions which humiliate the nation, which is known for its greatness, and which to-day is conscious of its renewal of strength. “The Government is prepared to appoint delegates to negotiate a satisfactory settlement of the issues and differences on terms which will assure the legitimate interests of both countries, and reciprocity in their relations.’’

THE NEXT STEP JOINT ACTION FORECASTED. LONDON JOURNAL’S VIEWS. Received April 17, 11 pjn. (A. and N.Z.) LONDON, April 17. Mr Chen’s reply is so unsatisfactory, says the Observer’s diplomatic correpondent, that it is taken for granted in London that the next step of the five Powers will be the preparation of some joint action. It is not expected that Mr Chen’s light-hearted suggestion for an international inquiry and other such features in his Note will even be answered, but that other methods will be adopted for the purpose of disillusioning him.

CHINESE CUNNING FBENCH VIEW OF SOUTHERNER S’ BEPLY. ATTEMPT TO SPLIT THE POWERS Received April 17, 5.5 p.m. (A. & N.Z.) PARIS, April 16. Despite the disposition of France to maintain an attitude of complete neutrality in the’ Chinese conflict, there was no attempt at the Quai D’Orsay today to conceal displeasure at the manner in which the Canton Government has replied to the Five-Power Note. Officials see in the different and separate replies a deliberate attempt to break the unity of the foreign powers, thus evading the responsibility or necessity of satisfying more’ than superficially what the powers demand. It is believed thht France will decline to budge from solidarity on the question involved, and will stand with the other powers in demanding a definite reply to their demands. ATTACKS ON SHIPPING CONTINUOUS FIRE ON THE YANGTSZE. WARSHIPS REPLY WITH GOOD EFFECT. Received April 17, 5.5 p.m. (Sun) SHANGHAI, April 16. Attacks on foreign shipping on tho Yangtsze are increasing, and every vessel between Hankow and Shanghai has to run the gaultlet of mixed fire from both banks of the river from entrenched soldiers. Virtually, open warfare is being waged. Chinese forts participate, but their antiquated weapons and inexperienced gunners prevent registering hits. Every attack is replied to by British and other foreign warships with pom-poms, machine guns, rifles and frequently heavy guns, but owing to the’ absence of landing parties, it is impossible to ascertain the results of the return fire. It is believed that tremendous damage is being done ashore, but the attacks have not diminished.

In the midst of these exchanges, Chines enemy warships periodically shell the land defences. The situation is as ludicrous as it is dangerous. Japanese messages indicate that the enforcement of the powers ’ demands at Nanking are likely, owing to the insincerity of the replies from the Nationalist Government. The Ministers in China who are concerned are meeting repeatedly for discussion, hnd it is understood that all have cabled their respective home governments for instructions. TENSE SITUATION DANGER ON THE BORDER. SITUATION IN MANCHURIA. (A- and N.Z.) TOKIO, April 15. Alarming reports came from many points in Manchuira, where Japanese merchants are refusing everything except immediate business. The Japanese army is installing a series of radio stations along the Korean border. The Soviet Consul-General in Harbin is to leave for Moscow, and the Consul at Nanking is preparing to depart. The Japanese consuls at Mukden and Harbin are meeting at Changchun for i consultation. The Chinese are reinforcing the Siberian border guards, while Japanese women and children in border districts arc being evacuated through Harbin, and men are preparing to follow. The Russian Communist Union at Changchun, including the Eastern railway employees, are reported to be planning to destroy the engine shed at Kuanchauntze and to blow up the bridges in the event of the expected war. All reports from Manchuria bear evidence of a state of extreme nervousness.

OUSTING THE REDS THRILLING COUP AT CANTON. COMMUNISTS ARRESTED. Received April 17, 5.5 p.m. (A. and N.Z.Z). HONG KONG, Apl. 16. A naval wireless message states that at Canton the Moderates effected a coup de’etat on Friday, rounding up Communists and taking similar action with these as General Chiang Kai Shek took at Shanghai. A fierce resistance was put up by the reds and armed labour pickets, who were attacked by troops under Government orders. The headquarters of the strike committee were the centre of the

coup, these being taken by storm by troops and many rifles and much ammunition being secured. During the fight over 100 Communists were killed, and also many troops, and hundreds were wounded on both sides. General Kai Shek, through his loyal Canton subordinates, took drastic action, routing the Reds. In the early morning the Communist dens were raided and agitators arrested. Some 10,000 to 15,000 troops took part in disarming all the Communist organisations after fierce fighting. SERIOUS DISSENSION MODERATES DEMAND ARREST OF MINISTERS. PARTY DIFFERENCES. SHANGHAI, April 16. The Nationalists at a party meeting at Nanking reached an impasse. Tho Nationalist Government at Hankow 'adopted a resolution demanding the arrest of several Ministers there. The moderates, styled as tho Central Control Committee, dominated by General Chiang Kai Shek, also demanded the expulsion of Michael Borodin, Soviet adviser to the Nationalists. The resolution demanded the arrests of the following as enemies of the public order: —Borodin, George Hsu (Minister of Justice), Tan Pingshen (Minister of Agriculture), Chen Tehsu and Tong Yenta ,the latter two being Communist leaders. The Committe’s action followed the refusal of the men named to attend the Nanking conference, which was called to settle differences within the party.

MOSCOW’S OUTLOOK GENERAL CHIANG KAI SHEK A TRAIT 08. “COMMUNISTS ACCEPT CHALLENGE.” MOSCOW, April 15. The Communist Internationale has issued a manifesto declaring that General Chiang Kai Shek is a traitor and an all of the Imperialists. The manifesto declares that the capitalist forces are unifying against the revolution, and tho Soviet newspaper Pravda describes General Chaing Kai Shek as the centre of the counter-re-volution, adding: “He stands on the same plane a§ Marshal Chang Tso Lin. The Shanghai coup has drawn a deep furrow in the whole history of China’s liberative struggle. The Communists accept the challenge.”

A GRIM WARNING PRISONERS* NOSES CUT OFF. GIRLS SOLD TO OBTAIN FUNDS. Received April 16, 5 p.m. (Sun cable). SHANGHAI, April 16. The Nationalists captured five Northerners, including three White Russians, who were trying to bomb Nanking. They were court-martiallcd but were released after their noses had been cut off as a warning to others. Nationalist soldiers are selling respectable Chinese girls in many cities below the Yangtsze for 20 cents per catty, roughly 20 ounces. The China Courier, a Chinese-owned English newspaper, declares that General Chang Chung Chang, when interviewed, said he had no fear of the Nationalist advance. If the worst came to the worst, he could continue to make a fortune by converting his harem into a commercial concern.

PROPAGANDA SIR FRANCIS AGLEN'S VIEWS SAYS NATIONALIST SPIRIT IS NON-EXISTENT. Received April 17, 11 p.m. (A. and N.Z.). PARIS, April 16. Interviewed at Marseilles, Sir Francis Aglen, who is proceeding Home from China, stated that the situation there is serious and likely long to continue so. It is, he says ,an entire mistake on the part of Europeans to believe -that there is a strong national sentiment among the Chinese. It never existed in the country, which is absolutely a prey to the various generals for whom war is more profitable than commerce. The rival factions are extracting booty from masses of brave people, who only ask to be allowed to work in peace, and who are not interested in political or military quarrels. “We must not wait for the Chinese themselves to bring their generals to reason,” he said. “I do not suggest fixing peace, but think an Entente Cordiale between the Powers, accompanied by pressure, would restore economic prosperity. lam convinced that General Chang Tso Lin’s ascendancy is even greater than was that of Yuan Shi Kai, formerly President and later the self-proclaimed Emperor of China.

AMERICAN SCHOOL BOOKS ANTI-BRITISH TONE USED BY COMMUNISTS AS PROPAGANDA Received April 17, 5.5 p.m. (A. & N.Z.) NEW YORK, April 16. American school books, written in an anti-British tone, have played an important part in the efforts of the Communists to cause chaos in China, the Earl of Denbigh said on arrival here. Such books, he said, were used as propaganda among the literature sent to the Chinese by the Communists, who point to the unfriendly note in the books as the attitude of Americans toward the British. The Earl of Denbigh said the Bolsheviks could not hurt Britain by force, but could strike at her foreign trade by creating discontent and strife among the peoples of other lands.