216
just as she will not recede Shantung without negotiations; and there being no one in Siberia strong enough to negotiate with, the evacuation is post- poned again and again. If the other Powers object to the Japanese occupation of Siberia, they have only themselves to blame, since it was on their invitation Japanese troops were sent there, a fact which Japan is not backward in pleading.
""
As to what line Japan will take at the Conference, it seems very prob- able that she will seek to utilise it in the same way as she utilised the Peace Conference, that is to get her “ rights confirmed. Whether the racial equality motion will again he introduced as a camouflage to cover what she really wants remains to be seen. There were reports that it would not be used again. But in this case Japan has plenty of other questions of a like general nature to fall back upon. Thus, there is the question of Japanese immigration. She does not believe that the United States and the British Dominions will agree to unrestricted Japanese immigration, but by pleading for it very earnestly and making it the chief plank in her pro- gramme, she may very well assuage her inconsolability at having her immig- ration demand refused by a confirmation of her " rights in Shantung, or a general mandate to do what she likes in Manchuria and Siberia. It is, there- | fore, almost certain that, whether direct- ly or indirectly, Japan will seek to get the Conference to confirm all her rights"-in China, Manchuria, Mon- golia and Siberia. Whether she will be so successful with Vap is doubtful. All the present indications show that America is determined to secure Yap, and this is not altogether to Japan's disadvantage, since it gives her something to bargain with. Only what she obtains in return must be with the price, and this price can only be obtained at the expense of some other country. The Conference, therefore as far as Japan is concerned, is considered as an opportunity for bargaining, and for hard bargaining too. Whether the peace of the Pacific can be established by this method is not matter which is deemed worth studying. At any rate a redistribution of "rights," will keep all parties satisfied for a year and this is all that can be or two hoped for.
"
THE CENTRAL YANGTSZE
a
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS &
are
of the Northern troops which have been sent to Hupeh by the Inspector-General for Chihli, Shantung and Honan (TSAO KUN), has been negotiating with the com- manders of what may be conveniently called the Constitutional forces of Hupeh and Hunan which are co-operating in the insurrection, but negotiations appear to have been broken off by General Wu because the Constitutionalists refuse to pledge themselves to acknowledge the authority of the Government at Peking and also because their demands
TSAO preposterous.
KUN has ordered the immediate accordingly dispatch of reinforcements to the Chihli forces in Hupeh, and General WU PEI-FU has personally taken over the command of the Chihli army in the Central new Tuchun to Yangtsze, leaving the preserve the peace in the Wu-Han cities
and Hankow (Wuchang, This is interpreted as a signal for the
Hanyang). war between resumption of the civil North and South, and important developments are expected. TSAO KUN is represented as prepared to allow General Wu a free hand in the prosecu- tion of his " grand programme for the reunification of the whole country either by peaceful methods or force." It is reported to be the intention of the Gov- ernment and TSAO KUN to place 40,000 Northern troops at the disposition of General WU PEI-FU to enable him to organise a big military expedition into Hunan, with Canton as its final objective if stuation requires it."
the
The
com-
says a
188
[September 3rd, 1921.
THE BRITISH IN SOUTH
CHINA.
of
(Daily Press, September 2nd, 1921). A mild sensation," we learn from our London correspondent, has been caused by an article recently contributed to the New Republic by Mr. JOHN DEWEY, a distinguished American professor philosophy, who was on a lecturing tour in China earlier in the year. A double purpose was apparently intended to be served by the article, viz, to extol the Government in Canton as altogether the most promising one in China." and,
<<
These
secondly to proclaim that in this part of China the British occupy much the same position of suspicion and dread which is held by the Japanese in the North." He tells his readers that the cause of this alleged popular attitude of bitterness, suspicion and dread towards the British, is "the history of the CASSEL collieries." Professor DEWEY happened to be in Canton at the moment that a little discussion was going on regarding this contract. and at the same time there was a feeling of bitterness in government circles in Canton produced by certain public notices issued by the Secretary for Chinese Affairs in this Colony. two circumstances gave the distinguished- American philosopher the impression that the British in South China were regarded with the same suspicion and dread as the Japanese in the North. From a
inter- philosopher with an national reputation to protect, a more critical examination of the position might have been expected than the article discloses. The information pur- veyed by such an authority that there is a British menace in Kwangtung is so new and startling that it has received an amount of attention altogether dispro- portionate to its value. It was but a passing phase. The people of South China are well assured that they have nothing to British fear from the policy of the Government in China. which is not The CASSEL agree- one of aggression. ment
merit all the condem- nation which Professor DEWEY's analysis suggests, but there is no justification for fastening upon a nation responsibility for whatever sins a small group of its nationals may be said to have mitted. Professor DEWEY apparently was told that an official of the Hong- kong Government had told an official of the Canton Government that the Hong- kong Government stands behind the enforcement of the contract, and that province is a British Kwangtung
That is the sort of tale hinterland.” that one marine may retail to another, no sensible person will believe but that a Hongkong official made to a official any such state- Kwangtung ment as the report alleges. The simple truth about the CASSEL concession that it is & private enter- prise, which is receiving the backing
such that private enterprises of character usually receive from any Government whose nationals are concern-
may
"
com-
| Peking-Hankow railway has been
for the dispatch of these mandeered troops from the North to the capital of Hupeh. A very serious difficulty which General Wu PEI-FU has yet to overcome is the reluctance of the people of Hupeh to provide the necessary funds for this
It is feared," expedition. Chinese news agency, "that in order to get funds for meeting his urgent mili tary expenses, that is to say, to feed and pay the armed Chinese coolies who are fighting battles for the sake of the Super-Tuchuns and Tuchuns, WU PEI-FU, who has been well-known as the cham- pion of the Chinese people,' will he forced to adopt harsh and extreme mea- sures for squeezing money from the Wuchang and Hankow commercial guilds. Further reports from Wuchang say that nearly all the wealthy and prominent merchants and bankers, including the' Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen of the Chambers of Commerce, have taken refuge in the foreign concessions, chiefly because they say they dare not advance money to the Northern commanders to fight against their own fellow-provincials, add ing that the crushing of the KIANG TSO- PIN movement means the destruction of the ideals of the Hupeh people for self- government or political autonomy for (Daily Press, August 30th, 1921). their native land and the victory of dis-
Chinese organized
militarism 01 There have been no striking develop- Tuchunism." A couple of weeks ago it ments in the situation in the Yangtsze secmed not unlikely that the trouble in Valley since WONG CHAN-YUAN resigned the Yangtsze region would result in the the Super-Tuchunship, and quitted the setting up of a third Government, and Wu-Han cities for the more peaceful in political circles in Canton it was
But the news from felt that such region of Tientsin.
a development would the Yangtsze Valley is by no means re- not be inimical to the existence of the assuring. The present informal truce
Government at Canton, but, on the bears a resemblance to the lull before contrary, the identity of aims would ed. We suppose it was Professor the storm. Hupeh residents in Shanghai, lead to co-operation in overthrow- DEWEY'S reference to this contract that in a circular telegram to the pro ing the Government at Peking. The
led to the question recently asked in the vinces, fit to the situation a Chinese latest reports, however, by no means House of Commons on the subject. The proverb about а wolf entering by support this prediction. It is very the back door
as the tiger departs doubtful if the local forces in Hupeh. by the front door-the tiger in
supported as they are by an army from this case being WONG CHAN-YUAN and the Honan, are powerful enough to stand wolf HSIAO YAO-NAN, who has been against the large Northern army which appointed to succeed him as Tuchun, is now being concentrated in the pro- There will be no peace in the Central vince, and General Wu's success would Yangtsze region, they say, until Hupeh not bring any comfort or satisfaction is allowed complete self-government andto Canton if it is true that the main both the Hunan and the Chihli armies object of this " champion of the people are unconditionally withdrawn from the is to hold the province for Peking. At territory of Hupeh. It appears that
all events it looks as if a decisive struggle General Wu PEI-FU, who is in command is now impending.
•
SITUATION.
19
λ
answer given by the Under Secretary for Foreign Affairs showed entire innocence of anything in the nature of a British menace. He does not read the orcement as being monopolistic; he sees that the concession is being sought by a Sino-British Company
"formed lines which have proved mutually bene-
in ficial elsewhere China," and in saying that the British firms interested include those of the highest standing i. the Far East he says in effect that the
on
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.