Hankow, Feb, 4.
The: Nationalist News Agency has issued the following, 'In reply to a telegraphic request by the London Newsagency for a statement Mr. Eugene Chen has. abled the following, 'I have informed the British Government that the! 'Nationalist Government cannot sign' An agreement settling the status of that portion of Chinexo territory Known as the Hankow British Concession while rined British concentration 1s In progress at Shan-
Signing in such circumstances would be tantamount to signing under duress and coercion. Negotiations are not ruptured. If there is! to be any rupture it will be due to the action of the British Govern ment. Seo my cabled reply to British Labour for a fuller statement. Eugene—Chen. "—Reuter's Pacific Servi British Press Firmly Behind Govt.
London, Feb, 2.
Following a special meeting of the Cabinet this afternoon to discuss the situation in China, Mr. Baldwin, the Prime Minister, the Eurl of Balfour, Lord President of the Council, and other Cabinet Ministers conferred with Sir Austen Chamberlain at the Foreign Offi Feb. 3.
While no official information is yet obtainable. with regard to the Cabinet: discussions yesterday on China, the. newspapers agree in their; belief" that British policy has not} changed. There is no confirmation of the New. York report that the Shanghai Defence Force may diverted to Hongkong and Wei-
The Press is almost solidly chind the Government, The "Times" in editorial says the Government's policy, is excellent and there is no occasion for it to relinquish the task of negotiation or protection.
The "Daily Telegeaph" attributes Mr. Chen's sudden nnd belated ée-mand for the recall of the British troops to a desire to counter the activities of Peking and says that both parties to this edifying competition may be assured that neither will be in a position to claim that their action caused the British Government to depart from its declared siati relations as a reply to Russian attack in Chin reaching and liberal, Hankow is not necessarily fatal but must be seriously considered. Tt is Jo ease for compromise and for' time.
The "Westminster Gazette" states {that Dr. Chen has not made things easier for Britain, He cannot expect. Britain to withdraw " under threats but if he will show that his [Government is willing and able to protect the foreign concessions at Shanghai, Britain will certainly not! desire to take that work out of his hands or make any show of force [that may be superfluous.
The "Daily News" suggests that the British troops should be with-Mheld if, in the meantime, the document drawn up by Mr. O'Malley is signed formally, or that the troops should not be landed at Shanghai but atthe nearest convenient port pending negotiations, provided that definite guarantee is given that {the Cantonese will not advance towards Shanghai beyond an agreed Tine at a safe distance from. the city.
The "Daily Herald" urges that th British Government chauid call Mhalt. in its military preparations saying that it could then secure pence with honour.
Feb. 3.
The whole situation arising from the new turn to the conversations at Hankow will be discussed at a ial meeting of the Cabinet tomorrow.
The Russian Influence 'A Cabinet Committee has been established to deal with the Chinese situation and is believed. to include Mr, Baldwin, the Prime Minister, 'Sir Austen Chamberlain, the Foreign Secretary, and the' Earl Balfour, Lord' President of the It la noteworthy that two members of the Cabinet, last: avenin dealing with China,' dwelt on Rot sian influence on' Anglo-Chinese negotiation Mr. Amery, the Colonial Secretary!
speech at Willen Hall, declared that the British terms. would never bbe rejected by any Chinese Government that= was thinking of Chinese rights only, or even of Chinese! sentiments: if they were rejected it could only be through the influence, lof other forces behind the Chinese Government—forees concerned, not in Chinese welfare, but in. world revolution and the destruction of the British Empire.
The British Government, Colonial "Secretary continued, was} not going to be deterred from pursuing a patient and conciliatory] poliey_and.from "doing our imperative duty to our fellow citizens in Chin
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.