1925-09-21 — Page 7

BRITAIN AND CHINA.

"SİGNIFICANT SPEECH BY MR. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAIN “BEFORE MEMBERS OF CHINA ASSOCIATION

IN LONDON.

-L

· INSPIRED SOLELY BY GOODWILL

THE MONGKONG DAILY PRESS, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 218T

"BRITAIN READY TO REVIEW SITUATION AND MEET CHINA HALF-WAY PROPORTIONATELY AS PEKING, ASSURES OUR NATIONALS OF ORDINARY RIGHTS WHICH FOREIGNERS ENJOY IN EVERY COUNTRY.

A large and listinguished gathering, under the presidency of Mr. LN. Leefe, formerly of Hongkong, was present at a luncheon of the China Association, held at the Hotel Victoria, on Friday last.

The principal gunst was Mr. Auster Chamberlain (Secretary of State: Yor Foreign Affairs). In a long speech on China, in which he paid warm tributes to the character of the late Sir John Jordan, Mr. Chamberlain declared, that it was idle to shut one's eyes to "all the lifficulties and serious issues involved in the present grave situation in China, and referred to the internal dissensious and the external in- fluences woking to profit out of the misfortunes of Caira. Rightly hand- d, the situation would lead to better relations than existed during the Sear past and would mark a real stage in the progress of China to. Britain was aspired by nothing. liberty unity and prosperity. but goodwill towards China, and was ready to take into full account Chinese aspirations. She was conscious that she had no interests which Britain would conflict with the real and abiding interests of China. would carry out the letter and spirit of the Washington" engagement, effective but an atmosphere of goodwill and a united China with an Central Government, was an essential to the full fruition thereof. Britain was rendy" to review the situation and meet China half-way "and relinquish special rights proportionately as the Chinese Government Could assure our nationals of the enjoyment of the ordinary rights which foreigners enjoyed in every country,

Sir Ronald Macleay re-echoed Mr. Austen Chamberlain's sentiments and hoped the Chinese Government would meet them in the spirit of goodwill. He then believed that the Conference would prove to be a milestone along the path of the realisation of China's legitimate aspiration. The delegates to the Tariff Commission were among those

present.

The full text of Mr. Chamberlain's speech, as received through Beuter's Agency, will be found below Mr. Chamberlain, who was warmly

heir.

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1925

"Be that as it may, notwithstanding facts which are only too present to our minda-grave" and menacing facti pa I have said we are not allowing ourselves to be defected from our course in "neck- ing earnestly and patiently for a peace- fut solution of our troubics. We are ready to pursue the policy of 100%, adapted to conditions of 1995. We are ready to carry out, in letter and in spirit, our Washington engagement; but for the full-fruition of the conference, to which our guests are going, and of the enquiry into extra-territorial rights two preliminary conditions are desirable. 1 am not sure that for the full attain ment of our object I ought not say that they are necessary.

CABLES.

LATEST CABLES". [runoUGH REUTER'S AGENCY.]

MR. CHAMBERLAIN'S SPEECHL

APPLAUDED BY TWO LONDON JOURNALS.

Laspos, September

The Cheerser applauds Mr. Ausien Chamberlain's speech, which it dexdares

•After all, you can deal winoly with | THE WASHINGTON TREATE few domestic problems unless you have "The Powers a few years later, in the regard to the traditions of the country winter of 1930-31, met at Washington with which you are dealing; and can with goodwill to their ally and with a deal wisely with no foreign problem

real desire to meet har aspirations and unless you can enter, to some extent; zij any rate, into the aspirations of the advane her wishes there. In accord people with whom you are dealing; and with other Foreign Fowers concerned, we unless you can feel sympathy with their agreed to two Treaties and, I think, grievances and their hardships and good many resolutions. We agreed to realise their long history-and in the nn immediate increase of the tariff to chise of China, the almost immemorial five per cent. We agreed that, within civilisation to which modern China is three months of the ratification of the Treaty by all the Powers, a special Tariff Conference should be held' in Peking

We agreed that that Conference should prepare the way for the abolition at likin, as contemplated in bur old Treaty of 1903, and to an interim i position of a surtax of 2 per cent. on. the general tariff, with 3 per cent, on certain objects of luxury, with a view

"The second requirement for the full fruition of our hopra and and purposes to increasing the freedom of China, to

15 a China at peace within itself, anited strengthening the authority of the with an effective Central Authority who The Sunday Timer likewise approves Central Government and to providing can undertake engagements and see them Mr. Chamberlain's utterance. This jour nenus for the development of China'sept; who can provide security for life

and property and who thus can make nal says it is our sincere wish that China trade and prosperity.

possible for strangers and guests within shall be as unable as Japan herself of her gutes the surrender ofI will not Bay the privilege for it is not a playing a full part us an independent privileged position-but of the special

self-governing country, position which ander the Treaties we and other Foreigners have enjoyed.

the

These events of yesterday and to-day stand out against a long, historic back-

st During the whole ground. eighteenth century, our relations with China as traders and we are not un willing to recall Napoleon's gibe, which may be our glory, that we are a nation of shopkeepers and as anxious for pea as any shopkeeper-our trade relations were subject to two great monopolies, namely the East India company on the one side and the Co-Hoag merchants of Canton on the other,

Their pasing was one stage in the development of relations between East and West, and in the growth of our common concerns. The bonds of mono poly, were too narrow to serve the par pose of the new times and, in 1833, the monopoly, of the East India Company was abolished and trade was thrown ореп.

TREATY OF NANKING.

We agreed further, and again in Record with other Powers, to appoint a commission to go into the question of extra-territoriality; to see what progress could be mada in that question and what measures were needed to prepare for the

surrender eventual teritoriality rights.

of all extra-

represents the British attitude of desiring nothing for ourselves that is not to equal First is an atmosphere of mutual goodwill, putting, aside little suspicions, advantage in the advancement of China unbecoming to great peoples, not having It is of opinion that for the future of their roots in China or hore, but` dia- seminated; engendered and encouraged China and the interests of the Foreigner. by those who see their opportunity in it is initely preferable that the other peoples troubles; and, who are us little regardful of the interests of China elementary needs for justice and security as they are of the goodwill of England, for the trader should be safeguarded by (Cheers)

Chinese practise rather than by Treaty privilege.

*** Our only wish is for a strong, united, independent, orderly and pros perous China. The meeting of the Tariff Conference gives to the Chinese them selves an unrivalled opportunity to ad- vance their own freedom, to secure, res Best for their Government and them- their immemorial history behind them.

CAMPAIGN IN MOROCCO. FRENCH ADVANCING TO NORTH OF BIBANE.

FE, September 10th. The French, developing their advance,

What followed t." China could not Shantung to China and we to surrende selves, and to take their place with all reached a spot. 11 kilometres. North of

Finally, we and the Japanese agreed that the Japanese were to hand back the lease of Weihaiwei. And, though the nbject was not mentioned at Washing Lon, to surrender the claim on our tax payer to the felief which the payment of the Boxer Indemnity was intended to give to him; for the charges incurred in congrjurace of shall I say the weak news of the Chinese Government and to

Aijot,

All is quiet on the Western Front; there is nothing to report in the Centro-

and East,

in rank with the great modera, civilized Bibane, and 7 kilometres Enstof and progressing nations. Will China take the chance that is open to her? will she seize the opportunity as it passs! I do not know. The salvation of China can come only from the Chinese; and the measure of her progress and the extent of her progress will be the minasure and extent of the capacity and goodwill which the Chinese Government can bring to the solution of this great question. (Cheers.)

MEET CHINA HALF-WAY.; We, on our side, will contribute all we can. Unequal treaties were not con

The Madrid rumcuuniqué states that the whole protecturate" is calm, except the Albucemas sector, where the Spanish advanced troops were fired on by the enemy who is exerting the greatest pres Sure in this sector. The Spanish losses were thirty

adjust herself to the new conditions. Seven years of constantly increasing the strain of constant friction and com plaints and failure to secure any satis faction led, 18 these events must lend a muntry, to the so-called opium War of 1840. But there were much more im-devote the money so received to purposes- portant things at stake in the Opium which were not merely of interest but of direct benefit to China-and to China War than any question of opium. The

alone boycott of British shipping, the con-

INSPIRED BY GOODWILL. fiscation of traders goods, the restric tions of liberties and imprisonment of

"On those lines, we were ready to British citizens and Enally the expulsion act at once. It is not our fault if

OF GEOGRAPHICAL IMPORT of merchants from Canton-these were in the interval since the Washingtonditions, arbitrarily imposed on China by

PARIS, September 20th- questions which led to the war and which Conference, greater progrese has not been Foreign Powers. They were the inevit-

Considerable geographical importance To the country where his working found their solution in the Treats made! We were inspired by nothing but able consequence of the unwillingness, or

is attached to the capture of Zawia, in Nanking of 1942, the first of thoodwill to the Chinese people, of the inability of the China of that Ouledghazzar, in the Morocean came. life was passed we are now andies Unequal Treaty whereof China complains have had no personal connection day to extend to forgets the price paigh, as is afforde, a wide field of view gentlemen, who are your guests to-day to day.

"I wish I could persuade some Chinese in my life except as a member of Govern- tion and liberty which they could feet northward. The operation was carried

every Western country. It thuse Their task is not an easy one, I know

man, of historical knowledge, of statesment with the Far East; but, as a

member of various Cloveruments, I bave intolerable conditions can be put an end out by three columns, which set out at 8 am, and completed their ním by mid- well. But I am far from being peasi-manship and authority with his own

an end. We are I would only say Imistic as to the results of the labours people, to explain that all this system talked with many men whose active lives to ressons for the exceptional Treaty night. The rebels were strongly entrench-

of unequal treaties was not of our choos have lain in the Far East I have privileges come to welcome the opportunity of exchanging to which they are going. At any rate, ing. We did not desire its. It was the never yet met an Englishrinn, who had ready to review the situation, to feet fed, but retreated and were pursued by minimum we could ask of a Chian which heen in China and passed, at any rate, a repelled the foreigner and would not reasonable part of his working life there, give him justice in her courts, or secure or who was intimately connected with great sympathy with the for him the ordinary advantages of British trade with China, who had not civilisation and orderly Government. It imbibed a was largely British policy, which opened Chinese (cheers); a great trust in the China through that, and subsequent honour of their pledged word: and, I treaties to international trade, and it would add, almost a personal affection for the characteristic features of Chinese nationality (Cheers.).

wecrised, said: "I find myself in the company of an Association which repre- sents a great chapter in British History and a great sphere of British activity in

the Far East.

wiews with you; that I have been nesisted by your experience and that I, like any her Foreign Secretary, will always be *had to make use of your knowledge and have your confidence and support..

"

LATE SIR JOHN JORDAN. "You have found it impossible, as it has been"impossible for me, to meet on

mich an occasion and in such an audience and not try to express something of the debt which we and China alike owe to the great figuro, which passed from among us, actually at one of your meet,

in the other day. It is nearly

ཐ

they face their task rich in experience diplomatic mancial and commercial, They face their task strong in the con- fidence of their own Government and of their countryment and I do not doubt that working in the spirit which informed Sir John Jordan's long career, they will "help to restore feelings of confidence and friendship between China and ourselves which are momentarily, but I hope only momentarily, interrupted. (Cheers.)

The present situation is grave. It would be idle to pretend to shut one's

+

was first and foremost British enter-

prise which showed the way to other nations and proved to them how great a market, was open to them, to us and

of the world.

4

J

Our representatives will go there to the new conference fortified by those old

to the Chinese to the mutual advantage.friendships, inspired by the sympathy

THE NEW CONDITIONS. Times change and

circumstances

for Chiun that they drink in every gathering of Englishmen who have pass- ed their lives there, ready to take full account of China's nspirations, con-

China half-way and to relinquish our special rights just in proportion as the the due, enjoyment of the Chinese Government can assure to our ordinary rights of foreigners in every nationals country. Unequal Treaties, as they are called, were the means appropriate at the time they were made to securs common justice for foreigners within China; but we have no desire for, special privileges from the moment that the Chinese Government is willing and strong enough to guarantee to foreigners the execution of the ordinary obliga. tion of every Government.

THE RIGHT SPIRIT.

cavalry.

It is anticipated that the victory will of tribes, who have awaited the arrival lead to the early submission of a number of French troops for the opportunity to withdraw from the #ghting.

SPANIARDS NEED WATER.

MADRID, September 20th. 4 message from Melilla sthes that the Spaniards at Cebadilla Bay are Await- ing the arival of two distilling machines, to enable seawater to be used for drink- ing purposes.

Boring operations have failed to strike a spring for drinking water. T

The Riffs attacked along almost the "We welcome and shall welcome every whole front on the Morronuevo peninsula.

years since Sir John Jordan entered the arisen: or, to the serious issues which are shows, to adapt ourselves to new conconflict with the real and abiding will give every help they enn in reaching number of handgrenades but were re-

Chinese Consular Service. After many years' useful and distinguished labour, he became His Majesty's Minister to

Feking in 1906 and for fourteen years represented our King and country in the Capital of China. Even when he retired in 1990 from that position, his public services did not cease. He accom panied, Lord Balfour to the Washington Conference and continued to the lust moment to place his ripe experience and intimate knowledge of Chinese con litions and hix, deep, sympathy with the Chiness at the disposal of the British Government and give us the benefit of his lifelong labours and service.

"He was in truth a type of that great race of public servants who work quietly, caring little for personal fame, for the honour of their own country and at the ame time he was penetrated with sym-

pathy for the country and the people among. whom his lot was cast.

1

involved.

EAST AND WEST.

The Chinese people cannot escape tha

the

impact of Western thought and the new wine of the West, poured into the old vessels of East, ferments and menaces us with cataclysm. In that troubled scene, External influences and their opportunity and sock their own profit out of the misfortunes of China; and if encouraging hostility of a section of the Chinese nation to nations like our own, which desires nothing but to live in peace with them and to contribute to their prosperity and by so contribut ing to theirs, to make our own.

The situation is rendered more difficult by internal strife and the

interests of China itself, and fortified by the knowledge that in serving their own country they need do nothing and ask nothing which will not equally avail to the advantage of China and the

Chiness people." (Chcers) -

MEMORY OF FRIENDSHIP.

ditions. These Treaties were the erea tion of a particular set of circumstances As circumstances change, and as the Chinese, by their own Government and through themselves. can secure to the Foreigner within their gates protection for himself and his property, an orderly and fair legal system and just trial in cases where he is charged with any I read, the other day, in a news offence against the laws of the country paper letter addressed by Admiral in which he is a guest as the Chinese Tsai, one of the Chinese delegates, to a Government can offer us these things outnal wherein he said the British are we will gladly surrender the special just people, and we shoul meet them arrangements which were brought into at the coming conference with a warm being only in order to preserve peace handshake.' between China and the outer world and to tide over the interval between the first great impact of West and East and the adaptation of Chinces institutions to the new conditions. (Cheers.)

If the Admiral represents Chinese ferling, I can assure him, in your name and in the name of all our country, that our hand will go out to meet his with the same memory of old friendships and "We have already shown our willing with the same desire to restore cordiality де to advance. More than twenty and confidence. (Cheers) I do not con quarrels of the Chinese among them Fears ago, by the Commercial Treaty of coal from myself that in many respects 1902, we sought to prepare the way for the circumstances are not those which I the abolition of ill-regulated and kamper would have wished for an international ing charges upon trade, and to subconference of this kind. ⠀ stitute, in their place, a sound tariff time, we agreed, as far as it might be, system on modern linen. At the same

a solution. There is between us, if we pulsed after brisk fighting. They re- rightly understand dur. interests, no attacked at 1 a.m. on Saturday, support inherent conflict. We have no territorial ed by gunfire, but most of the sbells fell ambitions; we desire nothing but the into the sen

ordinary rights of a peaceful, peace. loving and law-abiding nation. On our side, we will not allow ourselves to be diverted by the bitterness, of the recent

days, or the memory of things that are past. We bear no ill-will and we will go forward in the spirit in which, in one of his last despatches, Sir John Jordan proclaimed as the right spirit for his countrymen, in face of the chang- ing situation,"

PARZIER CABLES.

ANOTHER SE

SPANISH LANDING. Paris, September 18th..

A message from Fez says the Spaniards effected another landing at Athucemas Bay and disembarked troops at Frailes Point at the western extremity of Alhucemas Bay, where they occupied a position three kilometres wide on the lauk of the line already held by Spanish troops in Marro Nuevo peninsula.

LATEST CABLES.

FLIGHT TO TEHERAN.

PARIS, September 19th." The aviator, M. Nogues, left Le Bour

Sir John Jordan said in 1818: I have watched the evolution of China through its most difficult and dramatic stages. Unless signs deceive me, this rent nation is rousing herself from sleep and bidding fair to renew her mighty youth. I trust that our country will not play a halting part, but that get at 8.10 this morning. He is making always led, in China; and that with our

OBITUARY.

we shall continue to lead, as we have an attempt to fly to Teheran feet upon the solid ground of experience we shall allow our eyes to look towards broader and brighter Eastern horizon, on which China will stand strong and self-reliant as healthy and helpful Darwing

SIE FRANCIS DARWIN,

selves, and the lack of control by the Central Authorities over what happens in the Provinets. But, though these are

THE SHANGHAI SPARK. grave features of the situation and add to the difficulties of the problem; they

"A chance spark at Shanghai set fire

The death is announced of Sir Francis art, I am convinced, only surface fear in our power, to assist forward judicial to all the inflammatory material that was I think turen. They are grave enough; but they reform in China; and to waive our lying about. I do not want to dwell

are symptomatic of the changes which

extra-territorial privileges whenever the upon that now. So far as His Majesty's partner in the conity of nations, This (The late Sir Francis Darwin was born. of Sir John Jordan as a great English- | are taking place in the Eastern no less progress of Chinese judicial and other Government is concerned, our one desire great productive country and ita sturdy at Down, Kent, on August 10th, 1848 Be man, who loved China only second to than in the Western world; and, with conditions made it safe for us to rely in to know the facts on indisputable and industrious people have much to was educated at Trinity College, Cam offer to a straitened and depleted world; bridge, and St. George's Hospital, Lon his own country and who served his own goodwill on the one side an on the other, on such action by the Chinese Authorities authority and to abide by the facts ns and they hold in their hands the fateful don. He was the son of Charles Robert

they present no probleme which cannot be as every civilised nation of the West No disclosed. British, Japanese and

Darwing to whom he was sesistant at held because he was never lacking in Ching and Foreign Powers concerned. If foreign country..

I invite you to drink the health of Down until the latter's death. His pab- And already appointed; it will not be our

our delegates to the Chinese Tariff Con- cations, include: Life and Letters of sympathy for the people, among whom things are rightly handled and opportu-

Then came the Great War and China fault if a Chinese Jurist does not tako ference and to assure them of your con- Charles Darwin, 1867 Charles Dar he worked, and sought to reconcile as it rightly seized, they may lead to better and we have not forgotten it joined his place among them and contribute the idence; and to tell them that we hope win, 1803 More Letters of Charles

relations than we have experienced for

us as an ally and on those new ideas, Chinese share of the settlement of that they nfe and can be reconciled-the many years past; and they may mark, which the Great War stirred in many unfortunate episode I hope that that and we know that, in going forward to Darwin (with A. C. Seward), 1003 of his own country with the if taken in time and not allowed to go breasts, on doctrines then preached on inquiry may be briefly concluded and this great and difficult work, they will Foundations of the Origin of Species !

he inspired in the spirit which guided 1000; interests, liberties and developments of too far, a real and significant step in the self-determination and the Tiberties of that, before the Tariff Conference, opens, Sir John Jordan through the whole of

progress of China, to liberty, naity and monies, China fod as other peoples fed the results may be known and the in- bis long and great publis career China.

prosperity. (Chrera).

at the same time.

(Cheers)

country well in the important posts horesolved to the mutual advantage, of the expected for its nationals in every American Judicial Commissioners are gift of peace or war in Asia.

cident closed.

Kustic Sounds, 1917: '< Spring- time, 1920. Though qualified, he never practised medicine.}

(Other Cables on page

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