FUTURE OF CHINA

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18928, 31 July 1923, Page 4

FUTURE OF CHINA

THE PRESIDENT’S FAITH. GREAT RECUPERATIVE POWERS. In the course of an interview granted to Router’s chief representative in the Far East, the President of China, in answer to a number of questions, said: “The average foreigner outside Pekin and, indeed, the average thinking Chinese, secs China as in a hopeless mess both politically and financially. Appearances are often deceptive. China has immense re- , enperative powers. There ’may appear to be financial chaos at the capital and political and military strife throughout the country, but the Chinese people as a whole continue to work and produce. If in the last analysis wealth, is labour, as economists tell ns, then China is surely wealthy. “Of course, we are passing through a most difficulty transition stage. After all, are the conditions to-day in China really worse than they are in Europe ? China is taking no longer to settle down after her revolution than America did after hers, or France did after her first one. As regards financial difficulties and unpaid debts, there : are other countries in the world, so-called civilised countries which are in a far worse condition than wo are. Indeed, there is at this 'moment more than- Ane Great Power that has made ho provision whatever for the payment, of its financial obligations. I am not here defending by implication the i non-payment no matter what the circumstances of national financial obligations or suggesting that two wrongs make a right. But when-I read .some of the solemn lectures which critics read to China I cannot help recalling the proverb about people who live in glasshouses. China will recover and prosper, but it will take a little time, just as it took time for America and France to recover and prosper.” “What precisely are the grounds for your hope?” “It is difficult to explain; but, generally speaking, my hope is based on the good sense and sanity of the Chinese people and the many signs of a growing public consciousness of the need for unity and peace. There is a growing detestation of militarism, a detestation which, of course, springs from our terrible experiences of it.” “But at present militarism is stronger than ever. What is going to break it?” “The disbandment of superfluous troops would end it.” “But how is disbandment to be brought about?” “I believe it will follow as a natural consequence if Parliament passes the now Constitution. Tliere is no provision in that Constitution for military governors and such like, so that its passage would sooner or later automatically eliminate them and thus rid the country of about two millions of unwanted soldiers.” “Was there any truth in the talk about an opium monopoly?” “Not so far as lam concerned. No power on earth could make me use the Presidential Seal to re-legalise opium. Tell your friends at home that they need have no fear on that subject. I am pressing Parliament to deprive all opium smokers of all civil rights. No Chinese Government could ever agree again to an opium monopoly. ’