New Britain herald., 1927-02-07

ture status or the SHdHei lhteilia- tional settlement, the question Of Chinese representation on the coun- cil. which governs the settlement, probably will figure prominently.
 France and England
 London, Feb. P@Today's cabi- ret session. called to consider the Chinese crisis, Is expected to ap- prove the proposal of the American secretary of state to the warning Chinese factions, that the interna- tional settlement at Shanghai be ex- cluded from the area of armed con- flict so that American citizens and other foreigners may receive ade- quate protection"
 It was stated in Downing street that the British government heart- fly supports the American view as in coordination with the British policy. which Is to insure the safety of the foreigners in Shanghai.
 Paris, Feb. R-French officials circles expressed themselves today as pleased with the American pro- posal for naturalization of the Shanghai zone.
 They hope the plan will succeed, but for fear that Shanghai will prove too tempting a bait for the contending Chinese ward lords.
 Tension in Shanghai
 Shanghai, Feb. R-Tension in- creased in Shanghai today as the city. now crowded with foreign refu- gees, awaited news from the battle front south of here and studied a report that the attacking Cantonese army would not attempt to take the City by force.
 Messages from Hangchow, critical point for the embattled forces, de- clared the booming of artillery could be heard there, indicating that the attacking southerners have ad- vanced again. To offset this, head quarters of Marshal Sun Chuan- Fang. ally of the northern powers and defender of Shanghai, his last stronghold. asserted his forces were successfully defending the area
 In spite of Marshal Suns reas- surances, it became known that he rushed the last of his reserves, his own bodyguard division, 5000 strong. from Ranking, provincial capital, down to the front. while unconfirmed reports to newspapers here said the attacking army had reached Fuyanf, Is miles southwest of Hangchow.
 Cantonese Plans, Unknown
 Whether the report that the Can tonese will not use force on the city is a promise that they will abandon plans to draw it into the ever ex- banding southern territory or whether 1t is an offer to accept the suggestion of American Secretary of State Kellogg that the foreign set clement here be exempted from hos tiiities was not made known.
 The offer was reported in a mes sage received here from Hankow. where Eugene Chen, Cantonese for eign minister, is said to have as sured Owen O'Malley, British charge d'affaires, that such a course had been determined upon.
 It was pointed out. however. that the Cantonese might advance con- siderable distance without actually capturing the city or bringing it within the range of fighting.
 Hangchow Important
 Hangchow is considered the im- mediate strategic point in the fight ing in Chekiang province. If the Cantonese capture that city, which is the provincial capital, they will have overcome many natural and tactical difficulties in their march on Shanghai A railroad line there connects with Shanghai, although it has been cut several times. In pos session of the railroad, the Can tonese would have a potential asset for moving up guns and supplies. which up to now have been trans ported on human backs.
 Although the suggestion of Secre- tary Kellogg was delivered original ly to Marshal Chang Tso-Lin Man. churian dictator and head of the northern armies, and to Marshal Chang kai'shek, Cantonese field marshal, the promise that Shang- hai will not be taken by force came from a different source-the Can- tonese foreign minister.
 Marshal Chang Tso-Lin trans- mitted Mr. Kellogg's proposal to Marshal Sun Chuan-F Fang, who is at Ranking. It now is said to be matter for decision between the two armies battling south of here. Some northern leaders believed such an agreement would be tantamount to surrender of the city by Marshal Sun and others declared it wouli have been useless for the Manchu- rian dictator to have ordered com pllance to the suggestion in case Marshal Sun considered it d virtual surrender.
 Suns Would Hold On
 It was pointed out that Sun con. siders Shanghai his home and his richest holding, and would not abandon it even on the order of his superior. If he considered Secretary kellogg's proposal, if accepted, a disadvantage.
 Chen's address at Hankow Satur- day, in which he declared the Brit ish government Is suffering from d "Peking complex" and reiterated his demand that Great Britain deal with