The Otago Witness. WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE SOUTHERN MERCURY. (TUESDAY, JANUARY 25, 1927). THE WEEK.

Otago Witness, Issue 3802, 25 January 1927, Page 47

The Otago Witness. WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE SOUTHERN MERCURY. (TUESDAY, JANUARY 25, 1927). THE WEEK.

"Nunquam ellud natura, allud rapientia dixit. ** •■JuvßNan. “Good nature and good sense must ever join.’*— J»rs.

Shanghai and Canton.

The development of the situation in China is beiiur anxious! v

watched, since a false move on either: side

might easily precipitate a world-wide catastrophe. Shanghai opinion necessarily reflects the mind of the merchants and trading community, to whom the Chinese Nationalist slogan of the Foreigner” spells disastrous monetary loss if not virtual commercial ruin. On the other hand the attitude of the Chinese acting under the influence of Kuomintang is distinctly threatening to the lives and property of the missionaries and merchants who still remain in the interior. Shanghai itself is at the present time a rallying point for numbers of refugees from all parts of China, and according to latest advices extraordinary precautions are being taken to guard against mob uprisings. The real danger in the situation is the fear lest an undisciplined and irresponsible mob, inflamed with ideas of China for the Chinese, may embark upon a campaign of outrage leading to sharp reprisals on the part of the representatives of the Powers, thus precipitating a conflict the end whereof no man can foresee. It is to avoid such a contingency that Britain’s pacific endeavours are directed. The policy of the British Government was explicitly stated by Sjr Philip CunliffeLister last week when he emphasised Britain’s desire to see China peacefully and prosperously developing her resources, to which end she is ready to negotiate generously upon the Chinese proposals. At the same time, convinced that the British and Chinese trade interests are mutual, Britain is equally determined to protect the lives and property of all her subjects in China. So far as can be gleaned Britain is supported in the attitude thus taken up by the Powers who are signatories to the Washington agreement. The weak point in the situation is the divided nature of the Chinese counsels. What Canton may agree to might be turned down in Peking, in addition to which there are bands of organised brigands overrunning the country and ready to stir up trouble. There is little doubt that the Chinese peasantry who form the bulk of the population desire peace above everything else, and the hope of the situation is that these millions of hard-working people are alive to Britain’s determination to negotiate in their best .and most lasting interests.

Nicaragua and Mexico.

The United States is face to face with a difficult nrnhlftm in frliA

matter of Mexico and Nicaragua, Mexico con-

.<■ tinually seethes with the unrest engendered by rival factions, and at the present time the dispute is re-

ligious as well as political. Iler, latest trouble in this respect is the rumour, which has been categorically denied, that Francisco Jiminez, the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Guadalajara, is personally in the field at the head of a revolutionary army of 500 .riflemen in the State of Jalisco and that the Government is taking steps to ruthlessly crush the rebellion. In addition to such internal tprisings Mexico is at feud with the United States, the dispute being .chiefly concerned with Nicaragua. As is a common, experience with. these smaller South American States, Nicaragua has for the past six months or more been in the throes of a revolution, and the United States has intervened for the protection of American rights, nationals, and general inte-ests. With this intent United States warships have been despatched to Nicaraguan waters and United States troops have been landed, for the establishment of neutral zones. In so doing the American authorities have discovered evidence of gun-running and the supply of war material from Mexican sources, with a suspicion that these practices have the cognisance of the Mexican Government, although that Government denies all complicity in these practices. The tension has been deepened by a warning issued from Washington to Mexico against interference in Nicaraguan affairs, and extensive oil interests are said to be involved. In an actual conflict Mexico would stand a poor chance against so powerful a foe as the United States; nevertheless the position is a disquieting one, and calculated to cause President Coolidge much anxiety.

After Seven Years.

Shrewd observers with unbiassed minds

have predicted that it will take at least 10 years before the question of the prohibition of the liquor

traffic can be finally settled in America—that is to say, before the beneficial effect or otherwise of a notable experiment will be decided upon. It is a notable experiment when a great nation like America, with a huge cosmopolitan population, sets out upon a voyage of discovery, the goal of which is to demonstrate whether people who all their lives have been accustomed to indulge in alcoholic beverages can be compelled by law to become total abstainers. The people of the United States have now definitely embarked upon the eighth year of this experiment, and already the gains and losses are being tabulated in statistical form. Figures in a dispute of this kind do not amount to very much, but when set out in dollars they are certainly impressive. There is agreement on both sides that the enforcement of Prohibition has cost more money, imprisonment, and lives than the enforcement of any other Federal legislation in America. And, after all, admittedly Prohibition has not been enforced. The vital issue, which the figures tabulated throw little light upon, is whether the education of the mass of the people is proceeding upon Prohibition lines. That is to say, after seven years’ experience, is there a stronger support to the prohibitory law than formerly existed; or is not the reverse the case? To the outside observer it would seem that the Prohibition legislation is in advance of public opinion, and while apparently there is little likelihood of the legislation being repealed there is evidence of expedients being adopted calculated to render nugatory the ideal of a dry America. In all probability another three years’ trial will decide the issue.

Z News from the Renown.

While news of the progress of the Roya] party on the Renown is

to be welcomed it may be regretted that the mono-

tony or a long sea voyage is unable to produce anything of greater public interest than the trivialities which have marked the messages published during last week. The call at Jamaica with its attendant festivities has certainly broken the monotony, and every day now brings the Duke and Duchess of York nearer our shores. Meanwhile the preparations for the Royal visit are proceeding apace, and save for a few local heart burnings the programme is giving general satisfaction. The Maoris are aiming at a Royal reception exceeding in extent and ingenuity anything previously attempted, and it. may be taken for granted that everything that the Maoris take in hand will be well done. A glance at the itinerary as a whole compels the reflection that it will tax the physical endurance of the Royal visitors to the utmost. Travel under New Zealand conditions at the best is far from luxurious, and when to the average train and boat journeys arc added long stretches to be covered by motor cars over rough roads the task in < front of the Duke and Duchess is so formidable that it would not be surprising if some of the projected trips were omitted. • After all the health, of the Royal party must take precedence, and if there should unfortunately be some disappointments it may be hoped that they will be accepted in a spirit of genuine loyalty.

Mr Lloyd George and the Liberals.

The forces of British Liberalism continue to be hopelessly

divided, and even the resignation' from the leadership of the party of the

Karl or Oxiord ana Asquith does not appear to have expedited the unity which in the interests of Liberalism and all that it stands for .is so eminently desirable. The chief difficulty in the way is Mr Lloyd George and the large party funds which he absolutely controls,' and on the' strength of this financial aspect ,he . has endeavoured

to make such conditions as will have the effect of deposing the Asquithian Liberals from their dominant position. On the other hand a considerable section of the Liberals declines to be bound by any such conditions, and contends that the funds should be at the disposal of the party unconditionally. At the same time both of the opposing factions are aware that a fighting fund is an essential to a successful election campaign: therefore the alternative to accepting Mr Lloyd George’s offer is the raising of .another fighting fund of equal magnitude, ' an' extremely ' difficult task. According to a. recent cablegram the committee of the National Liberal Federation passed a motion-—carried by the narrow majority of 16 votes to 12— requesting Mr Vivian Phillipps to resign the chairmanship of that organisation. Mr Phillipps represents the Asquithian section of the Liberal party, and only a few weeks ago a banquet was given in his honour presided over by Viscount Grey, when a message was read from the Earl of Oxford paying high tribute to the guest of the evening as a tower of strength to the Liberal Party. Evidently the ousting of Mr Phillipps is Mr Lloyd George's desire, which manifestly means the disruption of the party if persisted in. The other alternative would seem to be the ousting of Mr Lloyd George, in which case his political future will remain a matter of conjecture.