The Gisborne Times. PUBLISHED DAILY FRIDAY, APRIL 8, 1927. THE WILY CHINESE NATIONALISTS.

Gisborne Times, Volume LXV, Issue 10368, 8 April 1927, Page 4

The Gisborne Times. PUBLISHED DAILY FRIDAY, APRIL 8, 1927. THE WILY CHINESE NATIONALISTS.

The latest news from the East cannot be regarded as encouraging by those who place their trust in the settlement of unrest of every land by means* of conciliation and arbitration. It is now abundantly plain that the Nationalists are in no hurry to make foreigners feel that they will once again be welcome in Central and Southern China. On eveiy hand, looting of the property of foreign nationals continues' and it is very significant that all the Powers are now exercising stronger endeavours to get their sublets to leave the interior. What the world at large is expected by Mr Eugene Chen and his colleagues to believe is that the outrages are the work of irregulars whom it is most difficult to control. If that should be the case, how can it be held that the Nationalists are as strong as they have been making out? The most striking aspect of the whole matter is, of course, that Mr Chen and his friends do not claim to be much perturbed in respect of the complaints which have been made by Britain and the other Powers. It is true that compensation has been offered, but, at the same time, the hint has been thrown out that the Nationalists are also entitled to monetary recompense on account of the damage resultant from • the measures taken by the Powers to safeguard the lives of their nationals. Seemingly, the Nationalists’ first concern is the carrying on of the wai against Northern China, and, in this regal d, the feeling is justifiably held by the Powers that they will shortly be called upon also to protect their nationals in the North. The call for more troops is, at any rate, evidence that it is feared that the worst may not, even now, be over. It really does seem tliat it is established that Nationalist troops have not proved altogether innocent in respect of the outrages that have been perpetrated. What appears to be the position is that the “Red” element amongst the Cantonese is being allowed full rein. Mr Chen has yet to prove that the Nationalists are not proceeding under guidance from Moscow as fax - as the maltreatment of foreigners is concerned. From all accounts plenty of “Red” money is flowing into Southern China and the object of providing funds is, it is evident, to lend practical sympathy to the Nationalists in their anti-foreign crusade as well as in their efforts to secure control of the whole of the Chinese Empire. Mr Chon and his friends, however, are certain soon to lie disillusioned. There is not a ghost of a chance of the Powers agreeing to forsake their nationals and their property in China. It is ridiculous for the Nationalists to think that „tho Powers will give way even if Pekin and Tientsin should be captured from the Northern Government.