WAR IN CHINA

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume XXIV, 8 April 1927, Page 6

WAR IN CHINA

SITUATION VIEWED AT HOME.

' • (Per Press Association —Copyright).

LONDON, April 6.

The Foreign Office has not received confirmation of the raid on the Soviet Embassy in Peking. Official circles doubt the suggestion that the Diplomatic Corps gave specific authorisation. Ordinarily, no warrants may Im executed within, the settlement without the diplomats’ signatures, which ordinarily is automatically granted, otherwise criminals could very easily find sanctuary in the settlements, and defy the police. But in the present disturbed conditions, the Diplomatic Corps would be sum to examine every request, all the Powers being equally anxious to avoid all appearance of partisanship. It is unofficially suggested that it is most probable that application was made to raid some building where Russians were housed, and the diplomats would feel bound to consent to an act which the Chinese authorities represented as essential, but it is very doubtful that they would consent to a deliberate raid on the Russian Embassy. [A cable message from Peking, published yesterday, ieported that, acting on the signed authorisation of the Diplomatic Corps, ;i body of Chang Tso-lin’s troops ’ and armed police raided the Soviet’Embassy. One shot was heard, after which a Russian was dragged out, bound, and carried off in a motor car. Six Russians and 15 to 20 Chinese were Removed to the police station. A machine-gun, fifteen rifles, and fi quantity of ammunition were also removed from the Embassy. It is understood that the Soviet Charge d’Affaires and other officials have been detained. Troops still occupy the building. 1

DESPATCHES FROM THE SCENE OF TROUBLE. SHANGHAI, April 7. Official details of the raid on the ”-Soviet Embassy at Peking show that . investigations by secret service agents • of General Chang-Tso-Lin into the umonree of radical propaganda emanating from Peking for months past, cul- ' minated in the arrest of two over, pending the result of other investigations. General Chang T- -Lin had appealeu

to the Foreign Ministers comprising, the Diplomatic Corps to curb the activities of the Peking Communists sheltering in the legation quarter.. Permission was asked to enter', an<> granted in contravention of diplomatic etiquette. Acting on this permission, one hundred Chinese police, personal,., commanded by the Police Chief, and 200 Chinese soldiers from. General Chang-Tso-Lin’s bodyguard, surrounded the Russian Embassy grounds on three sides. Simultaneously British troops, with fixed bayonets and loaded rifles, appeared on the British Legation wall on the fourth, side. Without hesitation, the Chinese forced an entry into the Embassy, searched all in residence thoroughly, and arrested all found on ,tbe premises. The first building entered was the former Russian garrison. The searchers met with resistance, and a ohov was fired from within. The searchers emerged, dragging out a Russian, (■king and fighting. Other searchers discovered two machine-guns, fifteen rifles, and small arms; also two Red flags. The Russian was handand dragged into the street. In the meantime, other prisoners emerged quietly, and drove off in automobiles. The fighting Russian refused to go into an automobile, his struggles attracting a crowd, which was batoned away. , The episode produced the wildest seelies in the Legation quarter, ann mobs were dispensed with the greatest difficulty. The search of the Embassy continued, and officials were ordered to remain in their offices. A fire which broke out in the mam building, apparently to destroy important documents, was soon extinguished. Alter six hours’ searching, sixtyfour were arrested, handcuffed and incarcerated, including the Soviet Charge d’Affaires. In the meantime, five truck loads of documents, data and other material was removed, including the seals inscribed: “The (Peking Branch of Kuomin-tang. Political Committee of Kirin, Shansi, Kansen and Chilsi Provinces.”

The arrested include six women, all of whom are detained at the Metropolitan Police Board.

The .search of the Embassy is continuing. A staff of experts, convened by Headquarters to examine the seized documents, have reported that the exact documents desired have not been found.

SHANGHAI, April 6. At Hankow, the Chinese authorities have issued a proclamation ordering complete immunity to foreigners from molestation. It is officially stated that the Japanese casualties, as the result of Sunday’s riots, were five killed and ten missing. Japanese naval reinforcements have arrived.

The latest reports from Nanking say that very heavy fighting it reported by the warship Emerald between the north and south at Kwantien. SHANGHAI, April 6. A general strike, and boycott of all foreign goods in the entire Yangtsze province has commenced, and + he situation s rapidly becorn rig graver. All Japanese are evacuating the Yangtsze Valley. Warships of the International Asiatic fleets arc rushing to important ports and a large fleet is concentrating at Hankow where the Japanese Admiral has sworn on his word of honour to prevent the Chinese from trespassing in the Japanese concession. He promses to mainta n the dignity of tile Imperial Japanese navy. The present strength of the Japanese landing party at Hankow is 300, and is being hurriedly reinforced. The cruirer I'entyu is en route. A wireless from Nankin says: “Antiforeign feeling is still evident. Foreign houses are being looted. Northern aeroplanes dropped two bombs on Pukow and three on Nankin city.

DESPATCH OF TROOPS AND MATERIALS. TOKIO, April 6. The Japanese military authorities are sending the Ut-suno-Miya Division, largely composed of cavalry, into the Manchurian leased territory, ostensibly to relieve the division serving there. Two companies have been ordered to reinforce the Peking Embassy Guard. PHARIS, April 6. The “Echo de Paris” states That Cabinet is considering the despatch to Shanghai of ai’.'othcr cruiser and six hundred tro>ps BERLIN, April 6. The association of German shipowners and the East Asian Union has deeded not to accept shipments of war material for China.

OFFER OF ASSISTANCE LONDON, April C. As tike endorsement made by the Foreign Office on his passport reads; “Not valid for China,” this has abruptly ended the scheme of Captain Livingstone Learmouth <d?sc.mdant of David Livingstone, African explorer} to take out a small parry of gen de-men adventurers, for the purpose of fighting under Marshall Chang-Tso-Lin ’in the anti-Red campaign. Fifteen or sixteen ex-officers hau already joined the party, and s. cable had been sent to Marshal Chang offering their services, but the Passport Office demanded. Captain Learmouth’s passport, and sent it to the Foreign Office, which endorsed it as invalid, intimating that passports to China were only being issued under special circumstances. THE NEGOTIATIONS. LONDON, April 6. The Paris correspondent of •he “Times” states that the FrancoAsiatic Chamber of Commerce, including the Messageries Maritime Company, the Shanghai Tramways Company, and many Franco-Chi neb v companies, bank and commercial organisations, have written to M. Briand, urging the wisdom of a general policy of agreement with + he other Powers in China. “It would be most dangerous to trust in the promises of the moderate Chinese Ministers,” says the letter, “probably destined shortly to be overwhelmed.” The letter adds: “The French concession at Shanghai is at present adequately defended, taking into account the fact that there will be other military support to the French in case of emergency.”

DEBATE IN HOUSE OF COMMONS After- Mr Wedgwood (Labour) had spoken there were loud cries of “Chamberlain.” The Deputy Speaker called on Si; Alfred Mond, but the interruption continued. A(r Moseley shouted: “We are debating the Government’s policy without hearing what it is.” Sir Alfred Mond began amidst a chorus of Labour interruptions and cries of “Poison gas!” The Speaker warned both Messrs Purcell and Beckett, who consistently interrupted Sir Alfred Mond.

Sir Austen Chamberlain, replying, said’ the whole city of Shanghai had been created by foreigners and it had existed and prospered because of foreigners. Britain was ready to negotiate to meet the Nationalise aspect and remove the special conditions rendered necessary by past conditions as soon as China could give foreigners the same justice and security as the Chinese obtained elsewhere in the civilised world.

Looting in Nankin, he said, had continued unchecked to April 4. The officer in charge of the Nationalists had sent a warning that any Britisher going ashore would bo shot. Similar incidents had occurred at Chekiang, Irtrang and other places under the control of the Nationalists While Sir Austen Chamberlain was reading the report bn tchang. Mr Wallhead (Labour), interjected: “It sounds like a students’ rag dav.”

This was followed bv cries of “Orderl" Sir Austen Chamberlain asked: “What interest docs the Member serve by minmising these outrages.” Mr Wallhead: “Nothina I have heard justifies the war!" Sir Austen Chamberlain ' continued that Britain must know the attitude of responsible Chinese authorities towards the outrages. He believed that al! the Powers were in substantial agreement on the necessity of requiring redress, but he did not want to speak too confidently. He knew that an agreement had been reached by the Ministers at Pekin, but was not absolutely certain regarding the attitude of their Governments thereon. aH the indications were that Japan, the United States and ourselves were not merely ; n agreement on the matter of asking for reparations, but regarding what reparations should he asked. The Nationalist authorities, SoAusten went on to say, must understand that their reputation as a Government and the honour of China require them to give full satisfaction and reparation. He read the British Vice-Consul’s report on the oivrages in Nankin, and pointed -out that looting was continuing there w:thoit the Chinese authorities attempting to interfere A similar state of affairs nrevailed in every place under the Nationalists’ control, including looting and outrages in hosn-'tals. Time attacks were not confined to British subjects or interests. Th,. most significant feature of the present dehate was that the Labourites were iinmovel and were again demanding the recall of the defence. Did the Labourites desire to expose the Britishers in Shanghai to the dangers realised in Nankin P Th» Government was pursu ng a policy of conciliation and

adjustment to meet new Chinese aspirations. Sir Austen Chamberlain concluded, amidst cheers: “But we are not prepared to bustle out of China withdraw our nationals from Shanghai and other places, or to allow them to ba treated as though the Jives of our peoolo were of no account ” Mr Lloyd George paid a tribute to the courage with which Mr Austen Chamberlain had faced a difficult task, and continued: Pursue the policy epecificaMv laid down a few months ago I The Rt. Hon. C. P. Trevelvan (Labour) said: If w« went to war against China we should probably do so alone and our trade pass into tho hands of the Powers standing aloof. Labourites -forced a division on a motion for th e adjournment of the debate which was defeated by 277 to 17.