BRITAIN'S POLICY

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 31, 7 February 1927, Page 9

BRITAIN'S POLICY

NEED FOR PUBLICITY IN CHINA

Although the Legations here are still secretive about the British announce-

meat of a proposed new policy fcMTards China, writes the Pekin correspondent of the "Manchester Guardian,"' it is taken for granted that ono reference is to the extra import taxation imposed by the Southern Government in the area under its control. Will the other Powers agree to any proposal that would legalise such taxation? Past experience goes to show that some difficulty will be experienced in winning their adherence. The more tattered the treaties become the more zealous is anxiety to safeguard treaty principles. It all sounds ridiculous, but that has been the weary round of diplomacy in China since the Washington Conference. Great Britain's effort to cut adrift from this realm of unrealities may therefore have :i hard road to travel before it meets with general support.

Seeing that Great Britain gave the lead for past international policy toward China, it is appropriate that she should now show the -way in meeting the new developments. But it in vastly important that the new plan, should be published broadcast immediately in China. Delay is dangerous, for only those who live in China can appreciate the ramifications of the machinery of misinterpretation that is always ready to distort British motives and policies for Chinese consumption. If this machinery is set in motion before the' publication of the British announcement we shall reap little psychological benefit from our change of policy for some time to come.