THE REMAKING OF CHINA

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20522, 25 September 1928, Page 3

THE REMAKING OF CHINA

A PROCESS OF REJUVENATION. Written for the Otago Daily Times. By the Rev. George H. M'Xelt.. 11. The appointment of Dr C. T. Yang to what is at present the most difficult post in the Nationalist Government — that of Minister of Foreign Affairs — caused a good deal of surprise. At one time ho was general secretary of the National Committee of the Chinese Y.M.C.A. and an outstanding Christian leader. Of recent years his Christian profession has been doubted and his character has been widely criticised, but he still claims to be a Christian. It is significant, therefore, in view of the recent nation-wide anti-Christian propaganda to have an avowed Christian placed in such a responsible position. Of course Dr Wang has had a long diplomatic experience. He represented China at the Versailles Peace Conference and was responsible more than any ether for China’s refusal to sign the treaty, while Japan was allowed to retain the territory in Shantung formerly Rased to Germany. He was also a delegate to the Washington Conference, where China received a definite promise of liberation from foreign control. He also successfully carried through the negotiations between Japan and China by which the former handed back to China the territory and concessions in Shantung. Dr Wang’s knowledge of affairs in Shantung and experience with the Japanese make his appointment timely in vie.w of the still unsettled trouble with Japan at Tsinan-fu.and the necessity of a Sino-Japanese understanding in Manchuria. The Japanese Government has withdrawn some of its troops from Shantung, but still garrisons the provincial capital of Tsinan-fu and police the Tsinan-Kiaochow railway zone. She refuses to withdraw until apology has been made and indemity promised.

Dr Wang was educated at St. John’s University, Shanghai, and at Yale, U.S.A. lie is a friend of Marshal Feng-Y'u-hsiang, to whose influence the appointment is due. If these two men had kept the Christian character which marked them some years ago their part in China’s history at this critical stage might be fraught with untold good. How difficult it must be to maintain a high moral standard in the muddy whirlpool ni Chinese politics one can only imagine.

Mr Chu Chao-hsin, at present Foreign Commissioner at Canton, has been appointed Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs. Mr Chu is an exceedingly able Cantonese and has done much to bring about the present friendliness between the authorities in Hongkong and Canton. He was formerly China’s representative on the League of Nations which position he resigned as he felt the Peking Government no longer held a mandate for his people. It will be remembered that lie created a sensation during 1926 when, without notice of motion, lie suddenly attacked the British Government on the floor of the Council for the naval bombardment of Wanhsien. Mr Chu is one of those who favour the temporary continuance of Peiping as the seat of the new Government. He has also associated himself with Marshal Li Chai-sura, the military governor of our province, in an appeal that the two Kwang provinces should be granted financial autonomy for one year until they had recovered from “ Red ” influence. This petition was refused by the Nationalist Government on the ground that it would hinder the work of reunification. TREATY EE VISION. Now that the Nationalist Government claims to represent the entire country it is in a position to seek foreign recognition and to begin the long-promised task of treaty revision. One of Dr Wang’s first acts as Minister of Foreign Affairs was to notify certain Governments that their treaties with China had lapsed and that until new treaties were arranged their nationals in China would come under interim regulations promulgated by the Nationalist Government. 'The new treaties must be “on the basis of equality and mutual respect for sovereignty.” The nation ist seri ously affected and most likely to make trouble is Japan. On July 20 the Japanese Minister at Peking received a communication from the Japanese Consul at Nanking, saying that he had been handed a Note by the Nationalist Government stating that the Sino-Japanese Treaty of Commerce negotiated in 1896 had expired that day and until a new treaty was arranged Japanese subjects in Chinese territory would come under the interim regulations. These regulations provide; “The persons and properties of foreigners in China shall receive due protection under Chinese law. Foreigners in China shall he subject to the regulations of Chinese law and the jurisdiction of Chinese law courts. All taxes and duties which Chinese citizens are under obligation to pay shall be payable equally by foreigners* in accordance with the law,” etc.

The Japanese Government has notified the Nationalist Government that it considers China's abrogations of the treaty illegal, but it seems probable that Japan will waive this objection if the interim regulations are not enforced, and the old treaty is continued until a mutually acceptable revision has been arranged. The United States has got in first with a new treaty signed during the past few days. It is a short commercial pact which recognises the autonomy of the Nationalist Government in the matter of its maritime customs. Dr C. C. Wu has been appointed a plenipotentiary to nego late new commercial treaties with the United States, and is at present in Washington.

The French, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, and Danish Governments have also been notified by China that their treaties have expired, and that until now agreements are signed the interim regulations will be enforced on their nationals in Ch>na. As so many Governments arc involved and others must be in the near future, it seems probable that a conference will be arranged by the several Powers so that some common line of action may be agreed upon. It is generally conceded that the time has not yet come when the safety of foreign lives and property can be entirely left to the Chinese Government. But there is agreement that China should be granted Customs autonomy, and that foreigners should become subject to taxation. The abolition of extraterritorial rights will probably come at a date agreed upon, on condition that Chinese law courts satisfy international requirements. But the now China will not accept any indefinite promise. So far as Britain is concerned. China has already been given ample proof of our sincerity and sympathy, and the problem remaining is one of finding a modus vivendi acceptable to both Governments. Very much will depend on the type of men appointed to negotiate the new treaties. The old-fashioned type of both British and Chinese diplomacy would soon land us in difficulties. Of course, British interests are very large compared with those of other Powers with the exception of Japan. It seems very likely that the friendly mediation of Britain and the United States may be necessary before China and Japan are able to adjust their seemingly conflicting interests. DISARMAMENT. The world problem of disarmament has it* very immediate interest in China. There is no further reason, it there ever was one, for the great armies that have been bleeding China since the revolution. But to disband some 3,000,000 armed fctea is no small task. Already a begin-

ning has been made, but it is evident that the taking away of their weapons, the payment of a few dollars on their wages, and the entraining of a few thousand men to a point 100 miles away cannot bo satisfactory. The most hopeful suggestion is that they should be used in public works —specially in the construction of roads and railways. China’s economic unification can come only when these arteries of modern commerce carry the lifeblood throughout all her huge territory. In spite of unsettled conditions hundreds of miles of motor highways have been built in South China during the past five years, and a period of national peace would sec an amazing development. CHINESE AND DOGS. Much has been made of the alleged notice said to have adorned the entrance to the public park at Shanghai, “ Chinese and Dogs Not Admitted.” Whatever truth there was in the story it is extremely unlikely the prohibition was stated in such bold terms. The fact remains that neither dogs nor Chinese were allowed in the park. From the beginning of June all distinction of race was removed. By making a small charge for admittance the municipal authorities prevent the possible overcrowding of the park by the coolie class. It was high time this reform was introduced, but it has taken a few serious explosions to make the idea acceptable to the white man, and the policy of segregation still has its advocates. A friend of mine, a New Zealander, was once ordered off the sidewalk, in Shanghai by the police because he was wearing Chinese dress! There arc abundant signs on every band of a better temper. Canton, July 31.