CHINESE SURVEY

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 94, 14 January 1939, Page 2 (Supplement)

CHINESE SURVEY

“Affairs of China,” by Sir Eric Teichman (London: Methuen).

A painstaking survey of the recent history and political and economic circumstances of the Chinese Republic is provided by Sir Eric Teichman in “Affairs of China.” Sir Eric, who was formerly in the British Consular Service in China, is the author of several books of travel in China, Tibet and Turkistan. Thoroughly grounded in his subject, he is able to deal with the affairs of China against a broad historic panorama, but he has preferred to sketch this briefly and has devoted greatest and most detailed attention to modern problems, to tilie question of Japanese aspirations, io American and European interests in China, to ’concessions, finance, industrial development, frontiers, dependencies and administration. On the subject of Japanese penetration tlie author has much of interest to say, particularly in view of recent developments, and the Japanese peace terms.

China and Japan are oriental countries with reactions and philosophies different from those of western nations. To sonic extent the present tragic conflict is the natural consequence of past events, tor which the .Japanese, the Chinese and the leading western nations must all share the blame. The world can only hope that the leaders of Japan may yet be brought to realize that their China policy is out ol date, that It is more than doubtful whether they can coerce the Chinese into being friends, and-that the peace of the Far East”can only be finally assured by recognizing tlie claims of the new China to be treated on a basis ot equality with the other nations of the world.

So deeply in the melting pot is the destiny of China today and so sw iff has been the march of events since Japan embarked on . her attempt to place virtually the whole of the country’s modernized territory under, subjection that such a book as "Affairs of China” cannot retain the whole of its contemporary value. Nevertheless, it forms a background Io the Chinese scene of great interest alike to the student and the average inquiring reader, and as such it is to be welcomed.