CO129-499-3 Canton situation- governor's despatches 12-2-1927 - 10-3-1927 — Page 77

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we do not see why we cannot realize this even without the

abolition of the unequal treaties. But such a unification is not what we hope for. Spiritually, China has been unified]

for several thousands of years. But what we hope for is

material unification in the form, for example, of a unified

railway system throughout China, uniform currency, real

control of finance, centralization of industrial development

and unification in the control of armies. Such a unification

cannot be secured even when we capture Peking, if we cannot get the unequal treaties cancelled. The Imperialists know very well that in the present position of China the question

is not of nominal unequal treaties on paper, but of the

distribution of the various actual privileges in connection

with financial administration, currency, communications and industry, and therefore they have often hinted at the possibility of revision of the unequal treaties on paper.

But England in her recent memorandum has not even yet reached such a position. She has only made it known that she can recognize the claims of China to improve her international position, when China has been unified. Such a policy is not in any way different from that which she has always followed in dealing with China. At the same time we can declare for ourselves that we shall pursue towards her the same policy as we have always adopted. Lower animals change their protective colours at different times and in different places, and England does likewise in her policy towards China, but we must warn all our masses against her tricks.

Let us try to make out the meaning of the so-called "good understanding" and "sympathetic attitude" in her memorandum, and give a rough explanation of our views. What are these terms really meant to convey? England, in her memorandum, holds Japan, the United States of America, and

other