CHINESE SITUATION

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19829, 2 May 1927, Page 7

CHINESE SITUATION

LOOTING AT CHINKIANG Soldiers Billeted in British Concession CONSUL'S PHOTESTS UNAVAILING [By Telegraph—Per Press Assn.—Copyright.] Received May 1, 5.5 p.m. (A. & N.Z.) LONDON, April 30. Official messages received in London report that despite the British Consul’s protests and General Chiang Kai Shek’s explicit orders to the contrary, the commander of the Sixth Cantonese Army has billeted troops at the British Consulate and British residences in Chiakiang. The troops looted the buildings in which they were billeted. The British Consul’s further protests have so far been without result. The Daily Telegraph’s diplomatic correspondent states that owing to the divergencies between Washington and the other powers their Ministers in Peking are still marking time with the elaboration of the second Note to Mr Chen. If the despatch of the Note is much longer delayed General Chiang Kai Shek may have evicted the Cantonese Government from Hankow before it is sent, and the problem would become whether it should be addressed to Genertil Chiang Kai Shek. Mes Ages from Shanghai state that heavy fighting is reported in the region of Kiukiang. The Communists are making a desperate stand to stem General Chiang Kai Shek’s advance on Hankow, STRICT NEUTRALITY GERMANY’S ATTITUDE LESSON 3 FROM THE PAST. (A. t N.Z.) BERLIN, April 29. Dr. Stresemann, interviewed, said that Germany hoped to facilitate a settlement of the difficulties in China by observing meticulous- neutrality. The perplexities arising from the common desire of all the Chinese groups for emancipation from unequal treaties did not affect Germany, who had already concelled hers. All the powers appeared to be willing to meet China’s legitimate and rational demands. The German policy, therefore, in no way conflicted with the powers. This was not the first time in recent history* that an intelligent and industrious people had freed itself from China’s dormant centuries-old state and begun organising life on a modern pattern. It had always proved disastrous when economically advanced nations attempted to exploit and ferment turmoil during the transition periods for their own political aims. Such rivalries usually caused international complications, which often be. came the source of warlike conflagrations. It ought to be possible for mankind to learn from experience and assure the statesmanlike caution which the powers interested were now showing in China, in order to produce a compromise equitable to all parties. The vast majority of the German people approved a policy of strictest neutrality, as instanced by the German marchants’ and shippers’ voluntary decision not to transport arms to China. Germany was ready to support efforts in China and elsewhere aimed at a < peaceful consolidation of the economic and political situation.