The Bay of Plenty Times THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20th, 1938 AS A CHINAMAN SEES IT

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXVII, Issue 12485, 20 October 1938, Page 4

The Bay of Plenty Times THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20th, 1938 AS A CHINAMAN SEES IT

Great Britain’s foreign policy is far-sighted but most.unrealistic Germany’s is realistic but short-sighted. Italy’s is one of opportunism and subject to frequent and sudden . changes, while France’s represents caution and wisdom. This is the opinion expressed by General Chiang Poli, and published at Hankow. General Chiang Poli, was sent to Europe as a special envoy, as soon as the Sino-Japanese war broke out. Commenting on Great Britain s foreign policy he stated that Mr Chamberlain, the Prime Minister, is known as a realist, but Britain’s superiority lies not in her ability to deal with the immediate situation but in facing the future. After the Sino-Japanese war of 1894, Britain formed an alliance with Japan to meet the Russian menace. In 1904 Britain formulated a policy to encircle Germany. As soon as the Great War was 6ver Britain warned Japan against aggression in China. To-day s favourable public opinion in England towards Chiim was carefully prepared several years ago by the Chinese Art Exhibit in London to arouse interest in China and Chinese affairs. Britain decides on her policy generally five or ten years ahead and when the time arrives for action, there cannot be any upset. Frequent adjustments necessitated by unexpected developments, observes General Chiang, will give people an impression of lack of decisiveness in action. The criticism of Britain’s policy towards Italy provided concrete evidence of this. But Britain accepts humiliation because a commander may sacrifice his reconnoitering patrols for the mam army but he cannot sacrifice his main army for patrols. Diplomacy, he adds, is only a matter of “face,” while national defence is a matter of the existence of a nation. “A Briton will never sacrifice his life for‘face’.” The whole world regards Great Britain’s compromising policy as evidence of military weakness. This is a mistake. The British talk about it and that is a matter of policy. With Great Britain and France working in.close co-operation, they have no equal in, the world to-day. In the modern world, a nation may perish after a military victory, for the fact that a victory brings prosperity to a nation is something belonging to past history. Referring to Germany, General Chiang declares that the country excels in dealing with an immediate situation, but labks ar far-sight-ed policy. Herr Hitler may be called an expert realist. Germany s policy is causing consternaton in Moscow and Paris. By helping Italy in the Spanish War, and also having an eye on African colonies, Germany overnight, has cast overboard her traditional proBritsh policy. Italy is flirting with London and King George’s visit to Paris reminds one of the days, on the eve of the Great War. General Chiang says that Italy is the leading exponent of the policy of opportunism. She has no fixed foreign policy, and is subject to changes at any minute. The foreign policy of Prance has changed from an aggressive one. She has discovered her past weakness in being too hasty and too fond of empty hpnours. There appears to be some soundness in the views expressed by General Chiang, at all events it is refreshing to have the views of an Oriental at the present time. THOUGHT FOR THE DAY Many run after happiness like a man absently hunting for his hat, while all the time it is on his head or in his hand. —Anon.