CHAOS IN CHINA

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XLIV, Issue 9875, 24 July 1923, Page 5

CHAOS IN CHINA

ADMINISTRATION EXTINCT.

PEKIN ANYBODY’S PREY. AWAITING THE OUTBREAK. (Per Press Association, Copyright). (Received This Day, $.15 a.m.) PEKIN, July 23. Grotesque as is the situation in China, it is nevertheless fraught with danger. The capital as devoid of am administration beyond thrte members of the defunct Cabinet. They have is-

sued mandates and orders at Regents in charge. Parliament is not sitting as a Quorum is not obtainable. All sources of revenue are dry. Chinese diplomatic missions abroad are 'breaking up awing to their not receiving remittances from Pekin. Chinese are wondering how soon the troojps will invade .and blackmail the banks and merchants fbr their maintenance, or openly ;loot. j 111 several provinces .troops are carrying on civil war and competing with brigands in harrying the inhabitants. Most cruel anarchy .prevails and trade is at a standstill. Foreign vessels oa the Upper Fangtse are frequently fusilladed by riflemen hidden rocks. Illegal taxation of ;goods in transit is a most important function and administrative officers in the provinces. Foreign- treaties do not count outside the treaty ports and foreigners are again becoming she traditional “foreign devils.”