CHINESE IMPASSE.

Auckland Star, Volume LIV, Issue 174, 24 July 1923, Page 5

CHINESE IMPASSE.

ANARCHY AND VIOLENCE. NO ItEVENtTE SOURCES. " FOREIGN DEVILS. (By Cable. —Press Association.—Copyright.) (Received 11.30 a.m.) PEKING, July 23. Grotesque as' is the situation in China, it is nevertheless fraught with danger. The capital is devoid of administration beyond three members of the defunct Cabinet, who issue mandates and orders as regents in charge. Parliament is j not sitting, as a quorum is unobtainable, | and all sources of revenue are dry. | Chinese diplomatic missions abroad | are breaking up, as they are not receiving remittances from Peking. Inhabitants are wondering how soon the troops will invade and blackmail the banks and merchants for their maintenance, or openly loot. In several provinces the troops are carrying on civil war, and competing with brignmls in harrying inhabitants. Most cruel anarchy prevails. Trade is at a standstill. Foreign vessels on the Upper Yangtse are frequently heavily ( fired on by riflemen hidden amongst the rocks. Illegal taxation of goods in transit is the most important function of the administrative officers in the provinces. Foreign treaties do not count outside the Treaty Ports, and foreigners are again becoming the traditional "foreign devils." —("Times.")