THE EBB AND FLOW OF WORLD AFFAIRS

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 208, 30 May 1936, Page 11

THE EBB AND FLOW OF WORLD AFFAIRS

Van Zeeland’s Record

(By

Argus.)

Belgium owes much to M. Paul van Zeeland who after a year in office as Prime Minister, is expected to be asked to form a new Cabinet following the recent elections. With the country in tlie throes of a severe economic crisis and an alarming Hight of capital in progress, the Tlieunis Government resigned early in 1935 ami M. van Zeeland, then vice-governor of the National Bank of Belgium and young as Premiers go. stepped into tlie breach. He sought and was granted special powers for his Government to govern by decree for a year ami set about with energy and ability to put Belgium’s house in order. The gold standard was suspended and tlie belga devalued by 28 per cent. By a large conversion operation dealing with a huge total of State, citj- and communal loans, a saving in interest charges of about 650,0(10.000 francs was effected. Belgium’s Budgets in depression years showed large deficits. A balance bail been achieved before van Zeeland took office, but under his Government the financial position was considerably improved. Last month, in presenting an account of his stewardship to the Chamber of Deputies, M. van Zeeland was able to claim that the economic crisis in Belgium had ended and that tlie Government of National Union had achieved its great task. The country’s debts had been lightened, industries revived and unemployment reduced, Tlie Premier’s speech was enthusiastically received and deputies, with the exception of Communists, passed a motion approving of tlie policy pursued by the Government during the exercise of its special powers. Japanese in China. Further evidence of Japan’s steadjefforts to extend her influence in China is contained in news of her move to create an independent currency in North China by making the Bank of Hopei tile sole bank of issue in llo]>ei and Chaliar. By this method it is believed that Chinese Central Government notes will be ousted and the common use of the yen will serve to link North China to Manchukuo. Japan's latest step may be an attempt to achieve what tlie so-called autonomy move in North China failed to do. Some months ago there was much talk of an impending declaration of an autonomous regime in tlie five provinces of Hopei, Shantung, Chaliar, Shansi and Suiyan, with a total population of some 95.000.000 people, in. North China. However, when it came to the point the autonomy attempt was rather a flop and onlj- 18 counties in Hopei and Chaliar come under tlie new semi-autonomous Ilopei-Cbahar Political Council, a majority of the members of which are pro-Japanese. Onservers did not hesitate to credit Japan with fostering the autonomy movement. That it failed is said to have been due to the restraint imposed bj’ the moderate party in Japan, with the support of tiie Emperor, on Japan’s Shantung army and the unexpected stand of the Chinese, who showed a willingness to fight. Chiang Kai-shek sent a large force to the border of the northern provinces, Chinese leaders demanded strong resistance to an extension of Japanese influence and students demonstrated against Japan. Tlie whole business went to show that Chinese opinion is stiffening and that, even if a very long road lies ahead. Chinese are moving toward something like a united front on one question, at any rate. Move to Extend Influence.

Japan’s immediate object is believed by many to be complete tutelage over North China. That her ambition.; army leaders have for a time been restrained somewhat is held by the<e observers to be due rather to a difference of opinion over the method to be adopted than over the goal itself. Thero fore, in Japan’s efforts in the economic field there may be seen the hands of those who favour advances of this nature instead of military aggression. It lias been suggested, too, that the widespread smuggling into North China is secretly countenanced by Japan as one way of upsetting China’s economical apple cart and giving rise to a need for her to lean on her neighbour for financial assistance. By the same token tlie visit to China of Sir Frederick Leith-Ross. Economic Adviser to (lie British Government, to investigate the financial and economic situation created suspicion in Japan. Those tn Japan who hold the East to be her sphere of influence are not anxious to see western money bolstering up China’s finances when Japan would like to provide tlie capital and gain a greater hold in China. Sir Frederick Leith-Ross found it necessary to deny that Britain had inspired last year’s plan for currency reform in China or that a loan had been promised. Japan's demands to Chinn, several times repeated, are threefold — co-operation between North China and Manchukuo. suppression by China of anti-.Tapanese activities and Hie prevention of the spread of Communism toward Manchukuo. Those are capable of a pretty wide interpretation and provide excuses for intervention in China. The fact that Japanese forces in China have been greatly increased is feared hv Chinese fo presage a resort to file army’s more direct methods of gaining their demands. France’s New Premier. There seems little doubt (hat M, Blum, the Socialist leader, will be the new Prime Minister of France when the defeated Sarraut Government resigns in the course of the next few days. In his recently-published book. “The Tumult and the Shouting.“ Mr. George Sloconibe. a well-known English newspaper correspondent. Ims the following to say of M. Blum: “Intelleetmilly he is far above his foßow-Soeialist (Mr. Ramsay MacDonald). lie thinks and writes and speaks in a realm in which he Ims few equals. His editorial-' in ‘Populniro’ are models of incisive, mordant. analytical argument. ITis erurlilion is immense. Intellectually lie gains ftp, respect ami admiration of a Parliament in which pure intelligence has always won the tribute of the otherwise hostile majority. But ho is little loved. His critics deride his political sagacity, ills febrile emotionalism his shrill falsetto voice, his tail. thin, much-man-nered figure, bis affections of superiority. ITis followers suffer this superiority in silence, respecting his integrity, admiring liis mind, but secretly resentful of his leadership.”