PROPOSALS TO CHINA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20767, 9 January 1931, Page 10

PROPOSALS TO CHINA.

In the American proposals for the economic; relief of China there is evident a readiness to give practical shape to the repeated promises of help made by the Powers in recent years. This, while nothing new, gives the proposals a commendation not likely to be lost on the several leaders of rival factions. But it must not be expected that the proposals, even if endorsed by the other Powers interested, will be accepted in China without question. For one thing, the mention of "strict international supervision" of the scheme of "public improvements," although this supervision is essential to the scheme froin the point of view of foreign Governments, is calculated to foster resentment in many parts of China. To get rid of foreign influence is an essential aim in the various forms of the nationalist programme. It may be an unwise, even an impossible, aim ; that it is so bluntly announced is likely to excite suspicion. Quite apart, also, from the difficulties to be faced in endeavouring to give buoyancy to Chinese currency and to create in China a market for American and Canadian wheat, there is the initial task of persuading the Chinese armies to disband —in order to set to work on the projected "improvements" and to be capable of absorbing the imported wheat. Nothing is more certain than the refusal of the several war-lords to disband their armies, although they may be separately convinced that this is a necessary step to prosperity. Were the rivalries new and based on slender differences the position would be favourable, but the quarrels are of long standing and the antipathies and ambitions

are deep-rooted. The ironies of the situation are vexingly clear. China needs foreign aid in order to overcome her serious financial embarrassment, yet all offers of this aid are viewed, rightly or wrongly, with suspicion. She is a prey to internal disunion, a disunion that is directly and indirectly costly, and the only policy on which the rival leaders will unite is that of hostility to foreign intervention, an exception being made in some quarters with respect to Russia. Projects equally sincere, as in the instance of tariffs, have been made only to be rejected. There have been notable abandonments of foreign concessions, in fulfilment of pledges to review "unequal treaties," but the foreigner, in spite of it all, is still suspect. What is now proposed, even if workable, is unlikely to have any more cordial welcome.