CONDITIONS IN CHINA.

Evening Star, Issue 21619, 15 January 1934, Page 6

CONDITIONS IN CHINA.

From the reports to hand to-day, it would appear that the operations of the Nanking Government are likely to he successful in suppressing the revolt in Fukien. Communist elements engineered this rising, and the establishment of a “ People’s Government ” was announced with the erratic Eugene Chen as its Foreign Minister. Nanking seems to have acted with promptitude, and by establishing a blockade of Foochow and Amoy from the sea, and concentrating large land forces on the Fukien border has apparently brought the revolutionaries to a realisation of the futility of the rising. Another influence that has had a discouraging effect on the rebels comes from outside. The Fukien merchant class is among the shrewdest in China, and scattered throughout Siam, Burma, and the Malay States are many trading houses owned by Fukienese, who have acquired considerable wealth. With characteristic fidelity to their homeland they have been sending money to Fukien. The recent developments, however, have alarmed them, and they have made it clear that their pursestrings will be tied till the revolt is suppressed. This threat should be most effective, for it touches the tenderest susceptibilities of the Chinese. Reports still come to hand of spasmodic fighting and looting in various parts 'of China, but, on the whole, the Nanking Government is conducting the affairs of the country fairly effectively. The country is so vast, the means of communication so inadequate, and the rise and fall of local governments and military chieftains so frequent that the task of maintaining order is one of immense difficulty. Some of the British commercial men who have interests in China are favourably impressed with what the Central Government has accomplished. Sir John Wardlaw-Milne, M.P., who was a member of the Imperial Economic Committee, and who lived in the East for many years, declares that the situation is undoubtedly more stable than it has been for a long time past, and that the Nanking Government to-day possesses more prestige and power than any of its predecessors. The chief handicaps, in his view, are the activity of the Communist propaganda and the bitter jealousy of the political rivals. He urges that Britain, with its long experience and prestige, and many business interests in the Far East, should define a policy, to give

China moral and material support. Pointing to the immense possibilities of the Chinese markets, he considers that, for commercial reasons, if for no other, it should be Britain’s aim to assist the Nanking Government by every possible means to lead China back along the path of peace and prosperity. He urged, as a significant first step, that the permanent residence of the British Minister should be changed from Peking, which is 600 miles away from Nanking, to the seat of the Central Government. The matter was discussed in the House of Lords. A correspondent to ‘ The Times,’ while agreeing on the importance of a “ reorganised China,” pointed out the difficulties in the way of Britain giving effective help. Speaking as one having authority, he declared that before any real improvement can be hoped for, the present desperate condition of the peasantry must be relieved, and this can only be done by means of some effective system of financial supervision which will set a limit to the insatiable rapacity of the provincial and local officials. This seems to be the root of the matter. Since the revolution of 1911 economic and fin ancial demoralisation has held the country in dire poverty. It needs another Sir Robert Hart to set things on a stable basis.