The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED DAILY. FRIDAY, JANUARY 7, 1927. THE UGLY CHINESE SITUATION.

Gisborne Times, Volume LXV, Issue 10299, 7 January 1927, Page 4

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED DAILY. FRIDAY, JANUARY 7, 1927. THE UGLY CHINESE SITUATION.

The situation in restless China insofar as it affects British interests must assuredly he reckoned very grave. At the moment, it will he noted, chief attention is rivetted on conditions at Hankow, a treaty port on a tributary of the great Yang-tze-Kiang river, and between four and five hundred miles inland from Shanghai. In that city the antiforeign element is, clearly, aimed mainly at the British, although’ the French *and the Japs, for example, also hold large concessions there. On the surface, the uprising is based on a newly-developed Chinese nationalist movement in the direction of the abrogation of all treaties under which foreign nations have gained trade and other advantages. It is generally recognised that the day may not Me far distant when China must he freed to enjoy tariff automony. The present claim is', as is well-known, advanced by what is known as the Cantonese Government, which has become very prominent of late whilst, at the same time, the Pekin Government has clearly been waning. As far as can be made out it is a shot which has been prepared by the “Reds”' of Russia for the Chinese Nationalists to fire. • British statesmen appear to have no doubt on that particular point. Whilst the coal-mining “hold-up” was in progress at Home, it was repeatedly emphasised by spokesmen on behalf of the Government that, if the “Red” aid to Mr Cook and his friends proved unavailing, the anti-British campaign in China would become intense at the instigation of. the Soviet authorities. And this prophecy lias turned out to he correct. On her part Britain has been quite fair to. the Chinese Nationalists: she has invited, the other Powers interested in China to join her in reviewing I

China’s treaty obligations. Meant the “Reds” have spurred the socalled. Nationalists not to P»J' le y but to attack all rights, especially those granted to the British, under the various treaties. The sequel proves most significant— strong provocation is being given Britain to use force to defend her interests. Meantime Britain stands at a distinct disadvantage as far as trade is concerned compared with other nations holding concessions in China Trade is drifting more and more towards the northern provinces and into the hands c Japan. Britain might elect to make separate trade bargain w ith i® jjjfesc, but that would mean cutting se from the other Powers and she

Refers that there should be unanimity. Her plan, is, however, likely to he hampered pn account of the efforts of some other Powers to manoeuvre into positions more beneficial to themselves whilst the present trouble continues. At the moment it would seem that Britain has no option but to make a strong naval display in Chinese waters in'-or-der to bring the recalcitrants to a saner way of thinking, if that be possible.