UNITY IN CHINA

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23094, 20 July 1938, Page 12

UNITY IN CHINA

War has proved to be a unifying agency in China. Additional evidence of this fact is furnished by the resolutions of the Peoples' Political Council, which in conference has pledged itself to support of the National Government, loyalty to Chiang Kai-shek, and co-operation in resistance to the Japanese invader. Japan has been able, it is true, to alienate from the National Government certain groups of Chinese politicians for the creation of administrative units in captured territory, as at Peking; but it seems that these units are manned by those without capacity or opportunity to withstand alien pressure. Elsewhere is demonstrated a new enthusiasm for China's preservation of corporate identity and welfare. Not many years ago it was far otherwise. Rival war lords practised divisive policies. Their armies were mercenary and professional. They themselves did not scruple to levy illegal taxes in order to further their ambitions for local sway. China, in that desolating period, was split into many separate parts by persistent civil strife. Not until the wise head and strong hand of Chiang Kai-shek challenged this riot did hope of a better day dawn. Gradually order came, and with it much material good. But mainly his achievement in those recent years was the fostering of a vital nationalism, sorety needed. Successful as he was, however, his enlightened policy, applied in a hundred beneficent ways, had not become fully adopted when the present conflict threatened to sweep it all into hopeless ruin. But, again, gradually yet with quickening progress at the spur of the Japanese incursion, the crusade of union was resumed. It is doubtful whether at any time, even under famous dynasties, China has been so truly one as it is to-day. The words of tho conference resolutions are not idle.. War may bequeath a compensation for heavy losses it has inflicted.