TURMOIL IN CHINA

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVII, Issue 8, 7 December 1926, Page 8

TURMOIL IN CHINA

NO BRITISH INTERVENTION. STATEMENT BY NEW ENVOY. HANKOW SITUATION IMPROVES. (By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) Received December 7, 11.30 a.m. PEkIN, Dec. 6. Mr Lampson, Britain’s new envoy, addressing British business men at Shanghai, declared that intervention by Britain was unthinkable. Mr Lampson said that he had the widest powers to deal with the situation and intended conferring with the rival war lords with tho view to an amicable settlement.

He said that Britain was prepared to suffer more rather than intervene in order to maintain trade. He declared that Britain’s designs in China were not political or territorial. A report from Hankow states that there has been a landing of marines in co-operation with tho civilian police force in all the concessions, and the threatened general strike and sabotage have been staved off. In many instances the demands of the agitators have been granted and they are temporarily pacified. Trade, nevertheless, is paralysed and tho vessels tied up have been confiscated by the military. The China Merchants’ Company, the largest of the Chinese companies in the Far East, employing many foreigners, is going into liquidation owing to Sun Chuan-fang commandeering practically the total fleet for troop transport.—A. and N.Z. cable.

RIVAL DELEGATES. CLAIMS OF KUOMINTUNG. Received December 7, 11.30 a.m. GENEVA, Dec. 6. Mr Sia Ting, representing the Chinese Kuomintung, has arrived to follow the League Counqil’s proceedings and watch the attitude of Mr Chu, the Pekin Government’s delegate. Mr Ting sent a lefc>§r to tint secretariat declaring IMt the Cantonese Government alone w£s,in a position to speak and negotiate on behalf of the Chinese people. Tho Kuomintung’s principles demand the immediate abolition of all unequal treaties between China and the Powers and that the Bolgian-Chinese treaty cannot be renewed. He adds: “We consider all negotiations with the Pekin Government as non-existent and that the claims of‘ Belgium and the other Imperialist nations in the League are all null and void.”—A. and N.Z. cable.

JAPANESE ATTITUDE. PROTECTION OF LIFE AND PROPERTY. Received December 7 12.50 p.m. TlklO, Dee. 6. Although official circles are apparently divided regarding the Japanese attitude towards China, it is understood that M.. Shidehara is determined to continue tho Liberal policy of avoiding positive action beyond the steps necessary to protect Japanese lives and property.—Times.