WAR IN CHINA

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume XXIV, 7 April 1927, Page 6

WAR IN CHINA

DESPATCHES FROM THE SCENE OF TROUBLE.

{Per Press Association—Copyright).

PEKIN, April 6

Acting on a signed authorisation ot the diplomatic corps body of Marshal. Chang-Tso-Lin’s troops, armed police raided the Soviet Embassy. One shot was heard, whereafter the Russian was dragged out, bound, and carried off in a motor-car.

Hitherto six Russians and Chinese had been removed to the police station.

A machine gun, fifteen rifles and a quantity *f ammunition was removed from the Embassy. It is understood the Soviet Charge d’Affaires and other officials are detained in their offices, and troops still occupy the building.

SITUATION VIEWED AT HOME. LONDON, April 5. In the House of Commons, Sir Philip Cunliffe-Lister (president of the Board of Trade), in the course of a written reply regarding Britain’s exports to China and imports from China, showed each year between 1920-25. - They were: — Exports. Imports. £ £

A Joint Council of the Labour National organisation, at a meeting held in the House of Commons, passed a resolution appealing to the Gov jrnment, in view of the contradictory reports from Nanking, to refrain from presenting the Chinese authori ies -with anything in the nature of an ultimatum, based on ex-parte statements, the rejection of which would lead to a state of warfare, and demanding that the Government immediately < |.en negotiations, and in the event of disagreement, to submit the outs'..: .d .'g points to an arbitration tribunal u’ der the aegis of the League of Nations, while undertaking not to make ai:v claims in China, except, in accordi.ee with the tribunal’s decision.

THE JAPANESE ATTITUDE. TOKIO, April 5. The Japanese Government has decided on a policy of withdrawal. of all Japanese residents in the interior of China, pending settlements, and are not depending on chaotic iChina for the protection of Japanese nationals, or holding the non-existent Chinese Government responsible for mob action. The Japanese Cabinet decided that this is the best method of rendering assistance to their neighbours, pending the final and definite negotiation of treaties or the establishment of a Government able to take control of these concentrations. The Japanese residents in China, and at Hankow, have already been ordered to leave the country, and will be taken aboard Government ships. Japanese warships remain in ail ports in China guarding Japanese property. THE BRITISH ATTITUDE. LONDON, April 5. Following on consultation with Washington and Toltio, the terms of the British Note have been telegraphed to Sir Miles Lampson and will be presented simultaneously wiih identical American and Japanese Notes to the Nationalist Government in Hankow. A'though the farms will not be published before presentation the Australian Press Association learns on reliable authority that the British Cabinet has somewhat modified the demands originally suggested by the diplomatic corp in Pekin. France and Italy wilt net be parties to the Notes but they have been kept fully posted on negotiations through the Ambassadors in Pekin.

It is understood that the demands include complete reparation for all damage to foreign property in Nankin, a public apology, and a trial by the Chinese courts of the officers who authorised and even, commanded the outrages. There is no hint obtainable of the nature of any threat of reprisals that the Note may contain.

Meantime the looting of foreign property in Nankin continues. Everything moveable, even gas and electric fitflings has been taken. The War Office expects the Northamp 1 onsh’r? regiment of Guards to embark for China on April 11, and the remainder of the reinforcements on April 13.

Official circles have received no confirmation of the reported check to the Cantonese advance northwards, and do not rely on Chang-Tso-Lin’s ability long to hold up the Nationalist advance.

THE RUSSIAN ATTITUDE.

LONDON, April 5

The Constantinople correspondent of the “Times” says he has learned that Moscow is transmitting substantirl sums to the Cantonese, via Constantinople, from which centre the money is being telegraphed to different merchants in China as pretended payment for goods bought by Turkish merchants in China. It is stated that 100,000 dollars have thus been transmitted during the past six weeks.

1920 .. 41,761,000 4,238,000 1921 . . 24,833.000 1,374,000 1922 .. 21,837,000 1,910,000 1923 . . 17,290,000 2,133,000 1924 .. 19,082,000 2,952.000 1925 .. 13,535,000 2,253,000 LONDON, April 5.