The Hawera Star. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 2, 1924. THE PROBLEM IN CHINA.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 2 October 1924, Page 4

The Hawera Star.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 2, 1924. THE PROBLEM IN CHINA.

Delivered every evening tty 8 o’clock In Hawert. Manaia. Okaiawa. Eltbani, Pates, Waverley, Mokoia, Whakamara, Ohanga,, Me rein ere. Eraser Bead. and Otakflue Manutahi. Alton, Hurleyville, Mangatf.ki. Kaponga, Awatuna, Opuuake,

riince the war the Western Powers have had so much on their hands that they have not been able to give attention to the Far East, but the serious condition of affairs in China will, if it continues, make it essential for them to take some definite action to save China from the collapse and disintegration which threaten. China has for some years past been left to a large extent to her own political devices, with evil results, as the recent reports of fighting show. We suppose that the present conditions in China had their genesis in her defeat by Japan in 1894. From that time onward China- seems to have tried to adopt Western methods of progress and forms of civilisation. The reform movement led to the overthrow of the Manchu Imperial dynasty in Ifjil and the establishment of a republic, but Yuan-Shi-Kai was not able to keep the republic united, and through the lack of political cohesion, has evolved chaos, and, torn by internal strife and the division of the huge country into two main factions- —the North and the South —China has become a feeble and impoverished State, though it is claimed that, in spite of these grave troubles, the Chinese people are far more progressive in.outlook than they were when the Manchu regime was brought to an end. But curiously enough, though Western ideas have been adopted, the Chinese are not more Western as a nation; in fact they are inclined to hold closer to the watchword, “China for the Chinese.' ’ What they are trying to do is to apply Western methods of progress, though firmly resisting anything that might appear to them to be Western aggression. To what extent Japanese influence is being felt in China one cannot sav. but there was evidence when the 1915 treaty was causing concern that Japan was seeking to exploit China,

aiul fiince the war Bolshevik influences have also been at work.; . Whether or not these are factors in the present conflict we do not know, but it is likely that the hostilities will lead to China drifting into a still worse condition. Whatever the ultimate result of the conflict between the opposing forces, it is very doubtful if the victor will,be able to bring the nation back to unity, and while it is divided we may expect further clashes between the supporters of the would-be rulers. The main danger seems to be- that China’s extremity may become Japan’s opportunity—not that the Chinese have any love for the Japanese, but if the latter step in at an opportune time-and can succeed in bringing order out of chaos the Chinese may be induced to give Japan in return rights which she is keen to secure, and if Japan did gain control of China there would be the danger that plans for an Asiatic federation or alliance might be laid —a possibility which some people think is not as remote as it might seem to be. Meantime the Western Powers do not seem to be very much concerned over the happenings in China, trusting perhaps that Japan has problems of her own sufficiently difficult to prevent her taking any part in Chinese affairs. However, it would be more reassuring if the Western nations were taking a greater interest in Far Eastern affairs and w'ere able to bring influence to bear upon China to restore unity and set the country upon a much better footing. Hostilities may drag on for a long time yet and leave China a weak and helpless victim of Japanese or Bolshevik aggression. Fortunately British friendship with Japan is strong, and our nation may he exercising a restraining influence, but what could he done to restrain Russia if her leaders decided to exploit the position? - «