TREATIES WITH CHINA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20011, 30 July 1928, Page 8

TREATIES WITH CHINA.

The making by the United States of a separate treaty with the Nationalists in China is an event that may have embarrassing consequences. There has long been an understanding among the treaty Powers that united action is desirable. This is in China's own interests, apart altogether from the desirability that the foreign Powers having relations with China should "play fair" with each other. The principle of combined action was accepted at Washington in 1921 : the Tariff Conference then arranged gave that principle tangible form. For one of the Powers to proceed so precipitately now, before the Nationalists have done anything of moment to set China's house in order and without any sort of parley with other Powers interested, is difficult to defend. In official quarters in the States the treaty is said to involve little, if any, diplomatic recognition of -the Nationalists : but the contention is futile. The treaty is announced as having the effect of restoring tariff autonomy to China, the very thing that hitherto has been the main subject of international discussion about the Orient. ft would have been better to resume that discussion in the light of the changed position in China before proceeding to treaty revision. Britain led in expressing willingness to review the treaties, giving full proof of sincerity, but very properly deferred negotiations pending a settled state of affairs in China and a further conference of the Powers. Negotiations on so cardinal an issue imply a recognition of the Nationalists as having a "de facto" status as the Government of China, and therefore have a diplomatic force that cannot be explained away. This action by the United States, particularly at a time when relations between the Nationalists and the Japanese Government are extremely strained over Manchuria, and when Japan is pressing her special rights in that, region, which have had acknowledgment by other Powers, is indiscreet. It cannot very well pass unnoticed by those Powers, and may provoke unpleasant and detrimental controversy.