POWERS WARNED

Gisborne Times, Volume LXV, Issue 10307, 17 January 1927, Page 5

POWERS WARNED

DEFENCE OF SHANGHAI CHINESE STILL AVANT FOREIGN SETTLEMENT. BRITISH PACIFIC POLICY RIDICULED. STATEMENT BY CANTONESE FOREIGN MINISTER. (United Press Assn.-—Copyright.) ' SHANGHAI, Jan. 14. Although secrecy attends the Hankow conference between Messrs Eugene Chen, the Cantonese 'Government mouthpiece, and O’Malley, the British delegation secretary specially sent from P’ekin to negotiate for the return of the Hankow concession, evidence is not wanting of a disagreement between the conferees. The Nationalists’ policy was clearly outlined in Chiangkaishek’s Hankow speech months ago. Part of the programme has already been fxiltillocl, despite the fact that at the time ot the speech foreigners in all China said the fulfilment of the programme was impossible. Yet within a rponth the majority of the foreigners residing along the Yangtsze, including missionaries, are fleeing for their lives to Shanghai, ■which is regarded as the place of tlie final stand of the British. The British admiral on the Yangtse then declared that there were sufficient forces to protect British lives and property. Subsequent events proved otherwise. “Perhaps, now, with a dozen warships anchored off the shore of Hankow she may talk business with the Canton authorities, but if Britain believes she will regain the Concession without forcible means she is mistaken,” said Air Eugene Chen, Cantonese Foreign Alinister. “The extension oi .the Nationalist authority to the foreign settlement in Shanghai,” he added, “will not take place as a work of capture, but as tlie inevitable incident of the resistless advance of the Chinese Nationalist movement. When that day ol triumph conies we will enter Shanghai, not a§ mere conquerors, but as administrators and conservers of the work done there by the foreign nationals.” Such a warning cannot be unheeded by foreign powers.

CONFLICT APPEARS CERTAIN. PEACE DEPENDS ON HANKOAV SETTLEAIENT. SHANGHAI, Jan. 14. Unless the movement by Canton for abolition of concessions and expulsion of foreigners from China is arrested at Hankow bloody conflict between the Cantonese and the International forces now concentrating in Eastern waters is certain. Never in history lias there been such a concentration of foreign navies in China as at the present time, Britain’s including the latest type. The Hankow negotiations, therefore, are watched with apprehension.—A.N .Z.U.A.

DEFENCE OF INTERNATIONAL SETTLEAIENT. POWER'S WAKING UP. LONDON, Jan. 14. An authoritative statement points out that the defence of the international settlement and the French concession in Shanghai is not- solely a British concern but is international. It is believed the Powers implicated are discussing the defence of foreign interests, although none of them have the least desire for war. The British policy is unchanged, hut there is no intention of surrendering anvtliing under threats. The British interests are economic, not political, and Britain lias no intention of interfering with internal politics. —A.N.Z.C.A.

AN OFFICIAL REPORT. AVHY CONCESSION WAS NOT DEFENDED. CABINET AIEETS TO-DAY. (Received Jan. 15, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, Jan. 15. It was ascertained in Alinistcrial circles last night that the Government is in possesion of further information from China. Cabinet will probably meet on Alonday. Preliminary telegrams from Air. O’Malley confirm the details of events m Hankow. They emphasise that the concession is not built like a fort and that the business premises are unsuitable for defence against seizure.’ If the marines had repelled the attack with rifle fire, it would have inflamed the mob and endangered the remaining unremoved Britishers. The Admiralty announces that the Tyrwhitt, the destroyer veteran, arrived at Nanking yesterday and is proceeding to Hankow.—A.N.Z.C.A.

CHINESE PANDER TO HINDUS AND KOREANS. APPOINTMENTS' IN PROPAGANDA SECTION. SHANGHAI, Jan. 14. At the demonstration held by Chinese on the racecourse at Hankow m honor of Chiangkaishek and the Russian General Galen, an office was opened for the registration of the names of all Hindus, Koreans, and Annamites by tlie Oppressed People’s Brotherhood Friendly Society. Sixteen Hindus registered, of whom if were given appointments in the propaganda section of the Kuomintong organisation. These Hindus marched in procession through the Concession carrying the nationalist flag and yelling slogans.—A.N.Z.C.A. STUDENTS ATTACK NUNS. (Received Jan. 16, 5.5 p.m.) PEKING, Jan. 15. A mob of students representing the Fukien Students’ Union, attacked the Spanish Dominican orphanage, vicarage and church near Foochow and drove out the Spanish sisters, abducted Cfliine.se orphan girls, .and looted and wrecked the property. The sisters are safe in the foreign quarters of Nantai. Tlie Spanish sisters and priests, except the BLsliop, are leaving port to-day. Although forty thousand Nationalists (troops occupy Foochow they did nothing to prevent uie occurrence. —A.N.Z.C.A.

FIRST CRUISER SQUADRON. UNDER ORDERS TO BE READY. (Received Jan. 16, 11.5 'p.m.) LONDON, Jan. 15. The Admiralty announces that the first cruiser squadron, consisting of the Frobisher, Danae, Dtragon, Dauntless and Delhi, at present in the Mediterranean, has been ordered to he in readiness to proceed to China if required. Sir A. Chamberlain has cancelled his week-end visit to Sussex and is remaining in London to deal with Chinese messages.—A.N.Z.C.A. HOLLAND’S ATTITUDE. (Received Jan. 16, 9.5 p.m.) THE HAGUE, Jan. 15. The Dutch Government, replying to the British memorandum on China, says that Holland is prepared to go as far as possible to satisfy Chinese aspirations. She agrees with Britain regarding the surtaxes, hut considers the greatest circumspection necessary in view of the Chinese civil war and

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