Page
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1925.
THREATENED BY TOLERANCE?
BRITAIN'S PRESTIGE. | foreign imports, which the Con- faronce has been summoned to discuss. But they will be asked by the Chinese to go further, and to consider the complete abolition of the fiscal treaties and of the extra-territorial rights possessed by foreigners in China. If they refuse to do so the agitators will bave fresh material for their pro. paganda.
CANTON INCIDENT CITED
this connection.
THE CHINA
MR. LANDON'S VIEWS.
CUSTOMS MEETING. dissension in China, even bafore a treaty is signed. To give it to Peking is tantamount to giving it, DIFFICULTIES WHICH MUST through Feng.. for the spread of
BE MET.
Soviet propaganda throughout the Chinese Republic The "other Tupans would only see in the grant a subsidy given by foreign in fluence to Peking for their un- The "Telegraph regards the
Mr. Percival Landon, writing doing. Among these latter Chang prevalent tendency to excuse the
Yet no discussion of from Peking, takes the view that Tso-lin himself must be ranked. "Chinese authorities and minimise;
personal outrags on British sub these matters can be hadpful while the prospects of the Customs Con- unless he manages to obtain at
no protection for for-i
least his full share of the inere- jects as threatening the prestige there is of Britain in the Far East. The eigners and their property out-ference are not of the brightest ment by a private arrangement treatment in Canton of two Hong-side the Treaty ports. Even the and that the best hope of achiey with his inevitable enemy Penk kong journalists is referred to in tariff question is complicated by ing some success rests in not shut- Moreover, we should not overlook the prevailing disorder. As Mr. ting our eyes to certain obvious the recrudescence of activity from Landon says, if the Powers allow In editorial comment, Mr. the Peking Government to raise difficulties and dangers which it Yochow, whither Wu Pei-fu has betaken himself. On the one Percival Landon's review of the some additional millions out of taken in time may be dealt with hand, nothing is so likely to arouse situation in thina is regarded as the Maritime Customs they will although they cannot be avoided. civil war as the handing over to Before dealing with the many Peking and Feng Yu-hsiang of any bringing out very clearly the pain-give fresh offence to all Feng's
and foreign. ful fh that, the Chinese politi- rivals. He would receive the parties. Chinese cians regard Great Britain and money, through his obedient ser-hose interests, ambitions, and are share of the proceeds of these increased duties; on the other Pears as their enemies. vants in Peking, and would spend intrigues are concerned with the other hand, nothing will exacer It is very dieust for British it in spreading the Soviet agita- Customs Conference in Peking, he bate anti-foreign hatred more renders 14 realise this. There is Lion. The other Tupans, or writes, it is as well to touch upon than any attempt of foreigners to hostility towards thing in Tuchune, with armies of their certain aspects of the approaching control or deal in any way with Barlang. We are sorry for wn, would want to know why the congress which deserve attention this new surplus. It will be use her: we lament the misery that Powers were thus subsidising at home, Apart from the prin less for foreigners to pretend that, the collapse of her Central Gov- Feng against them. We should ciples involved there are certain after securing the loans, the use enament has brought upon the thus be assisting our bitterest op material facts which distinguish made of the extra revenue is no aideat of civilised peoples; we are ponent and annoying all the other this conference from any other affair of theirs. The time has anxious to give her effective help powerful chiefs. Yet it is dif- and must be understool if the gone hy when indirect responsi in recovering hers ancient pence. Heult to see how the Powers could complexity of the teak that lies bility can be repudiated in China. though we do not know how to set insist on supervising the expendi- before the foreign delegates can Certain European nations who about it
But of enmity or even Lure of the new Customs revenue be understood, or indeed the used this excuse for pouring nvms chance of successful issue esti-and ammunition into China during dislike there is no trace on Or if they agree to its being raised.
mated Events in China move with recent years are now regretting side. Those "Who concern them- selves with Chinese affairs are
such rapility and their changes their action. If the Conference much readier to blame our For-
Chinese are so kaleidoscopie that it may be uses its unquestionable right to It may be that some eign Office for its supposed fails Napoleon will arise and restore that * new situation - which of commission or omission than the unity of the Empire. But the means a new military situation assign these extra revenues to lo denounce the Chinese.
It is recent
Peking the prisoner of each China's will have arisen before the open military autocrat in turn-It can- of history surely
that ing days of November. But how not plead irresponsibility if the civil wars Warns 113 deliberate insult offered to the provincial dissensions and the ever political, financial or military civil war which it has been the British begation at Peking by lack of moru!
among considerations may regroup the subjecting it to a boycott and the generals make the task forces opposed to the foreign re-constant endeavour of all foreign diplomacy to extinguish binzes up constraining the Chinese xer- vants to leave the premises should a Chinese Napoleon extremely presentatives, there will be no
difficult. Chang Two-lin, the change in the consistent anti-again more savagely than ever. Manchurian ruler, still has what foreign complexion of Chinese is nominally the largest army, a policy during and probably after
arter of a million strong, and the meeting in Peking. exercises control, as far south as I have used the word "opposed" Shanghai. His chief rival, Feng intentionally, as it would be a Yu-hsiang, who was once the lead-grave error to suppose that this ing commander under Wu Pei-fu, conference can be either a friendly agenda or not, fiscal autonomy and the former over-lord of Central adjustment of conflicting interests abolition of the Capitulations will China, and who rose to eminence or is one in which terms are im-figure as obstinately upon the
From the Peking programme as at Ouchy. by betraying Wu in his last strug-posed by either side.
remarkable
that the
CHINA UNITY PROSPECTS.
sense
Powers Must Agree.
In some ways the Peking Con- ference presents resemblances to that of Lausanne, the course of which may usefully be studied now. Whether actually on the
not have excited public indigna- tim at home, allrough the Puking Government, in permitting the myvott to continue, has dis- regarded Trealy stipulations as well as the ordinary diplomatie couteries. The disgraceful in- cident at Canton recently, when WO British journalists from Hongkong, relying on the Canton Government's assertion that there
le with Chang, is now, with first munient to the last it will be The role of Greece as the only was no bogeet of British ship- Moscow's help, at the head of au grim struggle, in which on the possible armed agent of the Allies ping, landed on the quay and were forte almost as numerous as the one side the interests of foreign in an emergency might-and in immediately seized and thrust Manchurian host, and perhaps as States, und, indeed, of China the event of a civil war inviting 2010 filthy jail, would have well armed. Whether and when herself, in maintaining and the intervention of Russia, must- stirred ur fathers and grand-
these two potentates. Chang and developing trade relations are be- fathers to violent wrath. They, Feng, who depend respectively on lieved to be vitally concerned, in their day, expected British citizens to be treated fairly in Japan and on Russia, will come while the other side is blindly con- very part of the world, and they into collision no one can say. Novinced that nothing less than is it sufe to conclude that the Chinese independence is at stake. would have locked for something
A Shadow Government. Tore than the evasive apology victor in the duel, if it came,
would necessarily gather Central
proffered at Canton an apology China, to say nothing of the up-
The first point to be borne in not for the unlawful imprison- ment, but for the use of the chains ruly South, into his fold, and mind is that the Allien-if the
and the
sup-
be played by Japan. Once more the known unwillingness of some Allies, and the inability of others to interfere, will again be a trump
card in the hunds of our opponent; and we may be Eertain that any reasonable concessions on our part will be trumpeted through China in which these unfortunate jour- make China one again. Chinese term may be allowed, without as proof of our weakness. It is a alists were led through the city domestic politics are not so simple indicating in any way an identity knot of which Gordius might be the fierce animosities of interests are dealing with a proud. For the Allies in Peking and exposed to the jeers of the as that; mob. But the benevolence with existing between the provinces shadow Government that has no to go outside the exact letter of which Great Britain is deter- are complicated by party feuds power either to conclude a treaty the terms of reference would be mined to regard Chinese doings, and personal ambitions, so that or to enforce any part of it, except sheer folly: yet to refuse to dis- by permission of and at the direc- cuss the matters that China is!
At more intent upon than any meru prevalent tendency to military victories, real'
tion of a military autocrat. exeuse the Chinese authorities be- posed, have hitherto had no de- the moment it is the Soviet Mar-raising of the tariff will infallibly
finite results. cause all real power, is in the
We may suppose shal Feng Yu-hsiang-whose out- revive the anti-fo.eign hatred in that the anarchy which is wasting hands of military chieftains, may China and ruining her trade will breathings of war and slaughter an acuter form then ever.
The resources of up.omacy are enuse even these personal) out-
an end sooner or later, against foreigners will be fresh in Tages on British subject to be come to
the memory of Englishmen who great, and it is certain that our minimised and overlooked, though and that force will have to be used has the Peking Government under action here will vindicate bar good.:
to restore order. But to assign a nothing could be worse for our prestige in the Far East. Yet, in date to this consummation, or to his, absolute control. Without his faith at Washington; but over this or assent from Kalgan or Kansu not conference there seems to hang spite of all our resolute manifes- suppose that Chang or Wu, tations of goodwill towards any other personality now pro-a clause will be accepted by the the need of a second at a later will Chinese Government or put after-date, when, to a united China China, we are reminded by Mr. minent in Western eyes,
which has proved her capacity to Landar that the friendliness is achieve the desired end would be wards into force.
Our chief hopes The second point of practical govern without corruption and all on our side. The Chinese very unwise. politicians, led by Mr. Wang, who must rest on the innate good sense importance is that the conference without injustice, a fux measure is Moscow's warmest friend at and untiring industry of the will be held in a hostile capital. of independence shall be willingly
Chinese people.
If they could In itself this characteristic diatin-conceded by the world. Still, it Peking, regard us and the other somehow be persuaded that the guishes this conference from any would be a dangerous illusion to Powers as enemies, and will enter
foreigner was not their enemy other international discussion in cherish the hope that, however 1be coming Conference with the
but anxious to be their friend, recent years. In the event of a generously the Allied delegates object of doing us harm.
and to resume the trade which dissolution of the congress with may interpret their rights and has benefited all parties engaged out achieving a satisfactory result, duties, they will succeed in hold- It is better to face the facts, in it, they would soon bring this fact is worth while bearing ing up the present anti-foreign unpleasant though they are, than about a revival, as they have done in mind. To judge by the insults movement which is carrying the to blind ourselves with illusions, many times before in their long already directed against our own red flag of Moscow into every Chiza's hostility is bad enough, history. But how this change of Legation and that of the United corner of the Chinese Republic
Last, and perhaps more import- but the impotence of her self view is to be brought about, in States, incidents may occur which slyled Government is worse from face of the persistent Bolshevik may seriously complicate subse- ant than all else, is the necessity diplomatic standpoint, because campaign throughout China, isquent relations. In respect of of keeping the League of Nations it affords the Powers. no hope of the real problem to which West- these insults, the shadow Govern wholly out of this troubl remedying her grievances satis ern diplomatists, missionaries, ment, has turned a deaf ear to conception of the League is more. factorily. If President Tuan Chi- and traders need to address them- protests, and a similar attitude on fallacious than that which attri jui and his Cabinet really con- selves in earnest before still worse the part of the military autocrat butca to it a standpoint based upon might precipitate grave trouble. universally recognised wisdom, trolled the Eighteen Provinces: mischief has been done.
Such behaviour as sanctioning the justice;
expediency. action of those who are terrorising Although its creators were quite the Legation servants into deser unconscious of the fact, neither in tion ie inconceivable in any conception, organisation, nor prac- civilised Government, but the fact tice is the League anything but remains that the Government still the product of Western civilisa- tacitly endorses this intimidation, tion, Western law, and the West- Washington, Oet, 14.
and that consequently the strikern attitudes towards life and even The country is completely uncontinues..
It will be in an of Christianity. It was, in fact, simulacrum of sovereignty, aniffed over the anthracite co avowedly anti-foreign atmosphere called together to spread Western marionette whose strings are strike which has been proceeding for that this debate will take place ideas, and the presence of such pulled by the inscrutable "Chris- six weeks. The miners themselves The real enemy will not be directly States upon its roll as China or tian" General Feng Yu-hsfang, are enjoying a prolonged holiday whose troops occupy the capital, fishing, camping and touring. Some represented, but every move in Persia has not availed to broaden and who receives his munitions by have taken temporary employment. China's game will have been sugs its outlook or make ite precepts way of Mongolia from his Bol- A number of foreigners are profiting Rested or sanctioned from Moscow one whit more elastic. There is shevik paymasters. Outside from the opportunity to visit their and played across the council table little in the Chinese outlook upon Peking and the border Provinces liomos.
by Mr. T. Wang, the ablest of life, which the League would
UNPLEASANT FACTS.
the Powers might easily come to terms with him, as Great Britain, America, and Japan ars most an- xious to restore good relations with their Chinese customers. But the truth is that the Pre- sident is but the head of a shadow
Government,
2 Incre
COAL STRIKE.
(Reuter's American Service.)
or even
No
of Shensi and Kansu, which con- The owners similarly are amper-Chinese politicians, and the most wholly understand; there is even stitute Feng's present zone, of octurbed. They believe that the thorough adherent of the Boviet Fless in the tenets of the League at cupation, his puppet President is trikers will retum when their Government in China. No doubt which in time of stress China virtually unrecognised, except as y la apont. In the meantime he believes that he is merely using would not look askancé. More- the giver of honorific titles to the the country is carrying on with Moscow as a tool, but the recent over, in order to preserve the military lengers who obtain tempumulated stocks which how experience of the aplappy Hu facade of impartinity, the League porary control in the several pro- will soon disappear with the Han-min in Canton should tesen would draw for its représentatives vinces.The Powers, in negotiat-approach of winter The Govern him that he who sups with the upon precisey those nations weich
ment hitherto has ban reluctant devil needs a lour spoon. But for have no interesta in,
ing with the nominees of Tuan tervece until the pincidity. Chi-jut, will be dealing with men passed off.
who have no power to implement
their promises, but who un-1 Florence, Oct
doubtedly will nae the Conference,
as a means of Inflaming the
(Lärel) movement.
Tandon points out, the
therefore
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CHINA
the moment it on y the avowed y no knowledge of the East. We hostile driving forde? behind the have just seen Hästi Conference that I wish to em
angely the
been
phasise.
Thirdly, it must be remember
'that: additional revenue' kr
pied al, wil la Itadit caruse
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