29 JANUARY 1927, Page 2

This fact makes it all the more important that the

British Government should strictly maintain their policy of non-intervention—of avoiding by every expedient and resource any sort of armed conflict with the Cantonese forces. Sir Philip Chetwode spoke excellently in this sense to some of the departing troops on Wednesday : " There is no state of war in China, and it will not exist if we can prevent it. I am confident that as British soldiers you will keep your tempers." It is no part of the British policy to fight against the Cantonese or any other Chinese armies. If the War Lord of Shanghai fights against the Cantonese before Shanghai that will be his business, not ours. * * *