CHINESE IMPRESSIONS

Evening Star, Issue 18256, 21 April 1923, Page 12

CHINESE IMPRESSIONS

POLITICS AND MILITARISM. [Written by M. S. Primmer, for tho ‘Evening Star.’] PEKING, February. It fs with some hesitation that 1 attempt to give you an idea of the state of public affairs in China; indeed, it is an impossible task to one who has not made a close and lengthy study of the country; but if I succeed in giving you a glimmering I shall be satisfied. it is well to remember the enormous difficulties which face the Flowery Land, and of these I should put at the head poverty. When tho Manchus conquered China and established the Manchu dynasty they naturally brought with them a large army and its attendant following. In theory all this horde held itself ready to serve tho Government, and in return tho ruling house levied a tribute on the conquered. However humble the Manchu was. he was entitled to at least a modicum of rice, so that in time he became lazy and soon unable to earn a livelihood. Now that the Emperor exists only in prison, ho cannot continue tho dole, with the inevitable result. This is in addition to tho widespread poverty of an over-populated country. Besides this, there is the apparently inexhaustible poverty of the Government, whichever party is in office. The Chinese do not seem to bo able to handle, large suras of money, and when a windfall comes in the shape of rcturiieJ, indemnity money it is at onoc diverted from its proper channel. Further, tho constant shifting of power from one to another causes those who arc there at the moment to “make hay while the sun shines,” and hurriedly gather the harvest in their pockets. So that wo fin'd a good deal of corruption in the leaders and little pay for tho led. Tho evil day of reckoning is constantly staved off with. promises of good conduct, and as an earnest of these a month’s pay or so will be given, lb is a hand-to-mouth existence, so that no one in power has the time or inclination for statesmanship. A general strike of Government employees was expected after China Now Year (February 16), and may yet take place owing to arrears in salaries. The old order has not sufficiently changed to benefit China's income, and we find her hampered by obsolete trade methods. For instance, there arc six levies on shipments between Shanghai (the commercial capital) and Peking (tho centre of government)- -export duty, coast-trade duty, transit duty, native Customs, likin a. provincial tax), and octroi. If, in spite, of this handicap, foreign trade has enormously increased. Clunk to what proportions it might attain! Offices are sold, and naturally the successful candidate sees that neither he nor his family will suffer; so wo find much creation of offices. On February 23 I read: “The Prime Minister nns appointed Mr Yao Hst-kuang and Prince Tawenpttli as High Advisors of the Mongolian Rehabilitation Commission.” At J’sing Hua College, which is built and supported by American indemnity money, an administrative staff of fifty is kept to nut a school of 600 boys; there are a resident architect (the school has been built for some years), a resident doctor, a librarian and six assistants, and, of course, extra to all this is a large teaching staff. What will happen when the American money stops? That is not the business of the present Government. The great thing is to spend money when you have it—to train adherents to keep you in power. Thus President Li. who is still new, gave a tea party to members of Parliament and Chinese journalists, at which eight Chinese clays were given by the best actors. The party lasted till 8 o’clock, and was attended by about 2.000. Tho amount of illumination used may bo gauged by the fact that until 8.30 p.m. Peking was in semi-darkness. This on February 24. On February 25 the President is holding a reception, followed bv theatricals, for 800 people. On all public holidays Hie Presidential palace is gaily decorated, and often illuminated with hundreds of lanterns and electric lights. The predominant note at present is militarism, and a great evil it is proving itself. It is significant that the present President is a general, Li Yuan-hung, and that three of tho next four possible candidates (Hie election is dated for October) are also generals, including Sun Yat Sen. The three most important party leaders, outside the actual Government, include Run Yat Sen, who, to the President's sorrow, has returned to his stronghold, Canton, where there has just been heavy fighting and looting, so that Chinese, and foreigners left the district. It is said that ho wants to unite the North _ and South, with himself as President. Against him is Wit Pei-fu. powerful in the north. Coventor of the province of Chihli (with Peking a.s tU capital}, who is a Christian general. He. too. is keeping a watchful eve on affairs. Third in power at present'is Genera! Chang San-lin. WnV rival, and himself Governor of another province. 1 hese are all busily intriguing for tho near future. How great in the power of the soldiery is seen in the nonpunishment of bandits who infest some provinces. Those were generally soldiers, but. owing to lack of pay. they decided to help themselves; and to get rid of them tho Government attempts to bribe them back to their allegiance, so that now the nrrnv ns a rule has precedence in pay. Tho bandits have harried Southern Honan over a wide region with fire and sword, and apparently with the a vowed_ intention of compelling the local authorities to reenlist them in the provincial army. Foreigners seem to have been kidnapped for the express purpose of enforcing acceptance of their demands, inasmuch as the provincial officials appeared to regard outrages upon the persons and properties of Chinese with complete indifference. The bandits have made a good deal out of tho whole business financially. In addition to securing incalculable quantities of loot, restitution of which to tho original owners would probably prove, impracticable even if it were recovered, they have received a large sum in cash for the release of their captives, as_well, apparently as a guarantee of immunity from punishment Tor their reckless crimes and a prospect of rc-cmploymcnt in the Honan army. Is it unreasonable to suppose that a settlement so satisfactory to a gang of ruthless criminals will bo regarded as a precedent, not only in Honan, but in other provinces in the near future?

Just at the moment there is a lull. Is it the calm before the storm, or merely festival quiescence after the New Year celebrations? New Year has been tided over: teachers, soldiers, and others have bad about two months’ pay in lieu of six —never mind; that paid for necessary feasts at this family-gathering time. Meanwhile, bribes arc offered to bun \at Sen to get him north if possible, hut ho responds not quickly. And so let me cud thus by giving you an idea of the different parties. All aim. theoretically, at the union of North and South and disbandment of troops, (a) The Government is doing its best to stay in, though there are the usual intrigues and protests against the Cabinet, (b) The Opposition is trying to get Sun Yat Son north to help it. (c) The Uadi cals hope soon to impeach Premier Chang and the Cabinet Ministers, (d) The northern militants demand certain appointments in the south, which, if made, will annoy the southerners, and so make the Premier (c) At present relations among some of the generals are strained. A few months ago the Christian general Peng Yu-hsiang was given an Irish promotion. lie gave up the Governorship of Honan to be Inspector-Genera! of the National Army in Peking (some say that Wu wants to keep his eye on him). He was promised by Wu and Chang Fu-lai that money for his soldiers should be put aside monthly, as if he _ were still Governor. He was to receive about £25,000 per month. Instead of which he has had, daring his six months of inspectorship, less than £50,000; and so now his men, too, are in arrears, though before he was able to pay his way. Wu says that Honan refuses to pay money for troops outside that province. Feng is aggrieved. So the next few months may see interesting developments.