RUSSIA AND CHINA.

Grey River Argus, 9 April 1927, Page 8

RUSSIA AND CHINA.

rr Let us imagine how we would feel if the Chinese controlled Glasgow, Edinburgh, . Newcastle, Liverpool and all our great ports, were not subject to the laws of our courts, but insisted on Chinese cases being tried before a Chinese judge in a Chinese court according to Chinese laws. Any taxes on goods coming into our- ports determined by the Chinese, chunks of British territory here there and -everywhere under their control absolutely. Chinese warships in our harbours, and hundreds of millions of Chinese capital in our industries with all its power and influence over our population. ’ ’

Most of the Great Powers of the world have their teeth in China, and but for rivalries and jealousies, no doubt one or other of them would have long gobbled up its territory, and reduced it politically to, say, the status of India. Now that China hag: revolted against its humiliation, a first class crisis has arisen, and there aro all the first signs of war. The usual stories about insults to missionaries and offences to women are being circulated, our warships are demonstrating and our soldiers are embarking amidst < great ... The powder is accumulating, anil any fool may produce a spark. Then once more the innocent working class of this and other countries will be marched to the slaughter—mesmerised with the view that they are defending civilisation A quarrel ■with China would in all probability involve Russia. The majority of the Tory Party would pay a big price for the overthrow of the Socialist Republic. The Russian Republic might not have survived infancy but for the embarrassed state of this country after the war. As it was, million* of British money ■were Spent in subsidising the adventurers who organised all sorts of revolts against the New Order. The British politician largely responsible for this action of ours is now Chancellor of the Exchequer. Now men would be sent as well as money. In nearly every possible way. Socialist Russia must, in the nature of things, bo the deadly opponent of capitalist Britain. Britain is built on a working class dependent for their means of life on a comparatively small class who own its land, workshops and transport. In Russia there is no such private control of other men’s means of life. Between these two Powers there must be conflict of one kind or another, ana many influential persons, in and out of the House of Commons would welcome a war with i that might enable Britain to smash Russia before it becomes too strong.’ -John Wheatley, M.P., in Scottish “Forward.” 5/2/27.