THE CHINESE CRISIS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 15914, 11 May 1915, Page 6

THE CHINESE CRISIS.

Much has been said of the Japanese demands upon China and the usual Criticism has been directed' by Littlo Englanders and Americans upon a British Government which does not quarrel with a loyal ally to suit German intrigue • Japan has many reasonable claims upon the Pekin Government', which is nominally suzerain of the immense area lying between the Himalayas arid Corea, from Siberia to Siara. In much of this vast territory f Pekin has no effective control and the situation affords unique opportunity for . intriguers owing to tjie diplomatic need for obtaining the: sanction of Pekin to . every proposal which may seem to conflict with its shadowy claims. German influences in the Chinese capital have always been antagonistic to those of every other Power and since the. war have been strenuously directed towards the confusion of Japanese relations. Chinese governments have always, relied upon procrastination as their chief diplomatic weapon and the Japanese—who naturally asked for more than they expected to get and were willing to accept—recently had to threaten an ultimatum before they could obtain any settlement of questions long in dispute and ripe for solution. German intriguers were unable to make serious trouble in the face of Japan's reasonableness and determination and the matter may now be regarded as satisfactorily arranged.