CONDITIONS IN CHINA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19805, 28 November 1927, Page 11

CONDITIONS IN CHINA.

THE NATIONALIST MOVEMENT "BIGGEST BLUFF IN HISTORY." RUSSIAN PROPAGANDA METHODS. " The Chinese Nationalist movement is one of the biggest bluffs in history, and although some sincere people are identified with it the basis of the causa has little to do with genuine patriotism," said Mr. E. S. Little, formerly Australian Trade Commissioner, at Shanghai, who arrived in Auckland last week. Prior to his official appointment, Mr. Little was connected with a large business house and ho is well-known in commercial circles in China. He was in Kuling a year ago when the Nationalist forces entered into occupation and established the Government headquarters. Russiai influence and guidance was | very apparent, said Mr. Little. The Nationalist movement had developed to an extent which would have been impossible to the Chinese nation unaided. . Wherever the Nationalist army conquered it was welcomed effusively with gala demonstrations and fire crackers, but after six months under the new aegis the Chinese were ready to accept even the oppression of the militarists. The Russian propaganda bureau closely followed the army, and when a city was captured the Nationalists erected platforms from which the new ideas were drilled into huge assemblies. The Russian propagandists made use of the Chinese system of issuing information by proclamation poster. Largo sheets bearing such catch phrases as " Abolish Unequal Treaties " or " Down with Imperialism," were broadcast throughout the cities. These slogans were impressed on the people by constant repetition. Orators would deliver them from the platform until the listening thousands would take up the cry. The army knew them off by heart from the general down to the meanest soldier. Everybody would recite the Russian propaganda without fully appreciating its significance. This policy expressed in catch phrases had preceded the Nationalist army into Central China, and schooled in the belief that they were to be freed from the tyranny of foreigners, the people were ready with a welcome. Banknotes Without Reserves. The Nationalists showed some diplo macy when assuming charge of a city. They were careful to pay their way until their position was accepted. After a few weeks the mask would be dropped and they would coma out in their true colours as looters. " After robbing the banks they would issue notes against which there were no reserves," continued Mr. Little. " The people had to handle ihis money under penalty of execution. Exchange brokers discounted them at the risk of their lives." Mr. Little said he had met a number of Ihe leaders. Their custom was to exploit the country and pay their armies just sufficient to stave off mutiny. Soldiers were promised 15 dollars or about £1 10s a, month, but they were lucky ti a third was paid up. The leaders would disgorge only when the restlessness became dangerous. " Amjd al! this fighting and looting not one sincere leader has arisen," said Mr. Little. Their object is only to amass huge fortunes and then retire to Russia, One of the Canton leaders who was violently anti-British and anticapitalist was killed by a bomb by a turn in the wheel of fortune and it was found he had invested 200,000 dollars in Hongkong." Foreigners! Forced to Leave.

Organised outrages were carried out by a special committee under Russian direction. Murder and torture were resorted to whenever a wealthy victim was found. It was impossible to Kay how many Governments China had at a given time. Any general who could rally 10,000 troops established his own Government. Behind all internal jealousies there was the bitter feeling against the British Empire which had been cultivated by the Russians and by the extremist Chinese. "Foreigners were invariably forced to leave territory occupied by the Nationalists. Property values fell from 25 to 50 per cent, after occupation, and in some cases investments entirely disappeared. Municipal debentures issued in Shanghai which had been considerably over par values had fallen to 75. Freedom of speech had been interfered with by the refusal of the Nationalist post offices to transmit newspapers. Mr. Little said that when he had found it impossible to obtain a British newspaper direct by post from Shanghai he arranged for the paper to be conveyed out, of the hostile area by «i viver steamer &nd then posted in another part, of the country. " It is impossible to forecast the future, but those who are familiar with conditions in China believe that disorder and fighting will be the usual thing for some years," added Mr. Little.