Manawatu Evening Standard. FRIDAY, JUNE 19, 1931. BRITAIN AND CHINA.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LI, Issue 169, 19 June 1931, Page 6

Manawatu Evening Standard. FRIDAY, JUNE 19, 1931. BRITAIN AND CHINA.

An arresting- report on the extraterritoriality question between Britain and China, insofar as it relates to the International Settlement. at Shang-hai, has been prepared by Mr Justice Eeetham, a world famed jurist, of the Supreme Court of South Africa. The learned Judge received a special request to study this matter and “render an open-minded report as to whether the abolition or retention of extra-territoriality was advisable.” The first section of the report unhesitatingly opposes the abolition of these special rights, either in Shanghai or the treaty ports, at the present time. It goes further in stating that it is essential that a foreign military defence force must be maintained, and that the Chinese must not secure a majority vote in the administration of the International Settlement “owing to the inevitable interference from the military, from the National Government, and from the Kuoinintang.” Mr Justice Feetliam expresses the very grave opinion that if the Chinese were to gain control of Shanghai at present there could be no guarantee that the riots and bloodshed of 1927 would not occur again. Five years ago Britain’s policy toward China in this matter was stated by Sir Austen Chamberlain, then Minister for Foreign Affairs. The Government, he said, would abandon its extra-territorial rights when China had established Courts competent to deal with cases concerning British subjects. China has certainly been “less in the news” in recent months, in marked contrast to a year or more ago, and the more stable conditions, which have not yet been proved to be of a permanent nature, have emboldened the Nanking Government to give the Powers “notice to quit” next October. But China lias not yet established Courts of Justice and a code of laws that will satisfy the safeguards the foreign Powers insist upon before they give up their treaty rights. There is anxiety in Britain lest a too hasty move be made by the Labour Government, and questions seeking information of the trend of negotiations between the British representative, Sir Miles Lampson, and the Chinese Ministers were again asked in the House of Commons on Monday. Mr Henderson said he was awaiting the British Minister’s complete report, but he refused to give an undertaking to publish it. Moreover, he added, until the political conditions in China make it possible for final arrangements to be concluded, it is not desirable to publish the results so far reached. From the latter portion of the statement it may be inferred that politically China is still “far from well.” The Central areas are in a state of unrest, and shipping on the

Yangtse-Kiang River above Hankow was being convoyed by Japanese, British and American gunboats two months ago. The situation, remarked a competent observer, was more serious than in 1927. Althoug’h admitting that extra-territoriality must eventually be abolished—this is in line with considered opinion in Bri-tain—-Mr Justice Feetliam stresses the point that the process cannot be hastened. It must, he points out, be considered in terms of decades, not years. This emphasises the “inevitability of gradualness” —a phrase attributed to Lord Passfield —in this matter. In reply to China’s demands the Japanese Government has made formal proposals, one of which suggests the establishment of a Court in which Japanese Judges will sit when Japanese subjects are on trial. Japan also seeks the same privileges for its subjects in the five leading cities of China as the Chinese themselves enjoy in respect to taxation, leasing of land, and establishment of factories, etc. Once again it must be emphasised that until China can inspire confidence among foreigners of fair and equitable treatment there can be no definite settlement of the matter.