CO129-499-3 Canton situation- governor's despatches 12-2-1927 - 10-3-1927 — Page 20

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lord of the earth and that all other elements of the social

structure must be subservient to his sovereign will.

2.

It is commonly said that China will never

adopt Bolshevism as a social theory, that the history and mentality of the Chinese race makes such a bouleversement impossible. And in the comfort of this dictum Europe and America, and possibly Japan, close their eyes to the plain fact that China is already bolshevized to an appalling degree and that the poison is spreading rapidly with the successes of the Nationalist party. It may be that the masses of China have enjoyed, even under the most savage dynasties, a degree of self determination wholly unknown to the French proletariat of the 18th Century and that they

have, therefore, not the same incentive to accomplish the

annihilation of the existing social order. But if the

Feudal oppression is less, the economic pressure due to

overbreeding on a colossal scale is far greater; and it is that pressure, organized by Russia, which is today threatening not only the peace of the World by the existence of civilized society. The attack is at the moment concentrated against Britaan,because she is the best

but

example in China of the rival or "Capitalist" social theory,

as well as because her colonizing genius has placed her in dominion over masses of less-advanced humanity, which makes

the best fuel for Bolshevist flames. Bolshevism is

essentially a militant creed. World revolution alone will

satisfy its ambitions; and no treaties, undertakings or other scruples will stay its hand for an instant. Great

Britain is singled out for attack first as the greatest enemy. The turn of the other nations will come thereafter.

This

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