NORTHERN ADVOCATE DAILY FRIDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1928. WHAT WILL CHINA DO?

Northern Advocate, 12 October 1928, Page 4

NORTHERN ADVOCATE DAILY

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1928. WHAT WILL CHINA DO?

Registered for transmission through the post as a newspaper.

It is not long since the happenings in China filled columns of the daily prets. Those happenings were usually of a tragic and sensational character. Then came the final victory of the Nationalists, who, despite frequent set-backs, had steadily swept northwards until the last strongholds of the imperialists had fallen. What would happen next? That was the ur.ivrsal question. No answer was foi th coming. .Apparently the Nationalists were resting and cogitating, for, until this week, there was a remarkable paucity of news from China. This week, which, incidentally, marks the seventeenth anniversary of the foundation of the Chinese Republic, there has come to hand important news. The Nationalist Party, sitting in conference at Nanking, has produced a constitution, and General Chiang Kai-shek, commander-in-chief of the military forces, has been chosen President of the Nationalist Government of the Republic of China. The drafting of a constitution and the election of a President are decisions which must have an important effect upon the future, of China. It is evident that the Nationalists intend to consolidate the affairs of the country, for they have decided that China is not ready for democratic government, and that another period of dictatorship is necessary. This means that all the bloodshed and suffering consequent upon the warfare waged . for years will not alter materially the political standing of tbe rank and file of the great Empire. They, as in the pa.#, will be subject to bureaucratic control. If the Nationalist rulers are broaderninded and more humanitarian than their predecessors, fhe lot of the ordinary Chinaman may be better, but it is evident that he is not to be given a greater share in the government. of his country than he previously enjoyed. This will probably occasion him very little worry, for the Chinese as a whole are indifferent to polities. There will, however, be more concern over the Government’s efforts in the direction of Westernising China. Wc are told today that a campaign aiming at the abolition of old-fashioned customs and the introduction of modern social, educational and athletic methods has been started by the Nationalist Government, avowedly for the purpose of bringing China into line with Western nations. As an outcome of this 38,000 women and girls have unbound their feet during the past month, .Of deeper significance is an instruction issued to all provincial rulers to institute a campaign against idol worship, superstitious beliefs and similar customs. Christianity is not advocated, nor is an alternative to idolatry suggested. The attitude of the Government towards Christianity is indicated in a cable message, which states that a ban has been placed on the sale of a gramophone record entitled “Sun Yat Sen has gone to Heaven.” This record was recently issued in South China and achieved popularity, but official orders declare that “the idea is foreign to the truth and greatly disrespectful.” Interesting as is the evidence of China’s awakening to the claims of Western modes of life and thought, the Western world will be more anxious to learn what the Nationalists intend to do in respect of the presence of foreigners within the gates. We are rather apt to assume that of those who hold decided views politically the great majority are anti-foreign in sentiment, but a moment’s reflection should satisfy ns that there must be many who recognise that the presence of the foreigners is to their advantage. The Nationalist Government’s pronouncement on this matter will be eagerly awaited.