CHAOTIC CHINA.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 16186, 24 July 1923, Page 3

CHAOTIC CHINA.

CIVIL WAR AND BRIGANDS. TRADE AT STANDSTILL. Flee Tel. Copyrieht—United Press Assn i Australian and N.Z. Cable Association! (Received July 24. 9.25 a.in.) PEKIN, July 23. Grotesque as is the situation in China, it is nevertheless fraught- with danger. Tho capital is devoid of administration beyond three members of the defunct Cabinet. They issue mandates and orders at tho regent’s charge. Parliament is not sitting, as a quorum is unobtainable. All sources of revenue are dry. the Chinese diplomatic missions abroad arc breaking up, not receiving remittances from Pekin. The Chinese are wondering how soon troops will invade and blackmail banks and merchants for their maintenance, or openly loot. In several provinces tho troops are carrying on civil, war, competing with brigands in harrying the inhabitants. Most cruel anarchy prevails. ' _ . Trade is at n standstill. Foreign vessels on:’the Upper Yangtso are frequently fusilladed by riflemen hidden amongst the rocks. Illegal taxation on goods in transit is the l most_ important function of the administrative officers in provinces were foreign treaties dq not count. Outside treaty ports foreigners are again becoming the traditional “foreign devil.”