PACIFIC PROBLEMS

Southland Times, Issue 18965, 13 June 1923, Page 5

PACIFIC PROBLEMS

CHINA AND JAPAN NIPPON’S STRANGLE-HOLD PLEA FOR WESTERN ACTION. (By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) LONDON. June 11. The following is the second article in connection with the Morning Post’s series on new problems created in the Pacific as a result of the Great W’ar, the Washington Agreement and the desire, of the Japanese Empire for expansion. The articles have been written by a special correspondent, who has just returned after a prolonged visit to Japan, China, Singapore and the Far East generally, which was undertaken for the purpose of studying on the spot those problems. China is divided into three main camps carrying on Government of their own. They only fall in with the wishes of the Pekin Government when it suits them. These three are roughly: First, Manchuria and Northern Chihli; second, Chihli to the Yangt.se Valley; third, Southern China. The leaders of these three military dictatorships do not care much for the socalled Central Government. There are also vast tracts of Chita which give no allegiance to these leaders or, except nominally, to Pekin. On the fringe of administration of these leaders hordes of disbanded or unpaid soldiers roam the country, exacting a livelihood at the bayonet’s point. As a result of this lawlessness the better-educated Chinese have transferred their interests to the Treaty Ports where, judging by the Customs’ returns, trade in spite of anarchy outside, is increasing by leaps and bounds. The Customs administration is practically the only stable form of Government in China. Railway development by foreign concessions has done much for internal trade. A study of this system will show how future penetration must take effect. Until the Washington Conference Japan had one large territorial finger in this commercial pie. By a magnificent gesture she there abrogated her rights and restored territory to China herself. In Southern Manchuria, however, she had still as a result of the Russo-Japanese War control of Dairen to the Changchun railway. Her lease of the Manchurian railway was for 99 years so for practical purposes she may be said to be in occupation of this sphere. She aims at permanent control of the great coal and iron fields of Hanyang and exploitation of Fukien by railway to be run from Foochow to Nanchang where there is already a connecting link with Kiukiang and Yangtse River. For many years the Yangtse Valley was practically a British sphere but Japan new stands there on an equality with England and America. If she could consolidate her position there and obtain the lion’s share of influence and, if at the same time, her fortress of Formosa could effectually dominate the rich hinterland of Fukien she would be well on the way to control China’s trade in the south-east and middle as well as in the north-east by her remaining business interests in Shangtung and in the north by the Manchurian railway. With those four fingers stretching ever further into the interior all that is profitable in China except Kwangtung and Yunnan would speedily fall in her grasp. With the Yangtse Valley assured to her, European and American trade at Shanghai would have to fight hard for its position and the amazing wealth of Szechuan could be exploited in a way no white nation has ever been able to attempt. Now’ it must be apparent with a stable, solvent Government of China under one head backed by. all the great nations of the world on terms of equality Japan would have no chance of securing more than a proportionate share of the riches she can see awaiting her. It is, therefore, not entirely to Japan’s advantage to wait for other nations to support law and order in China. The Chinese themselves by no means are unfavourable to white races. They do not like the Japanese but education and observation are gradually making the Chinese desirous of asserting China’s place in the councils of nations. They have an object lesson in Japan of an Asiatic race which won for it a position cf equality at the Conference table and even an alliance with Englnd. Chinese opinion is confident of its own power of absorption of all races. She is not averse to the idea of looking to Japan fcr assistance against trade dominion of the white races. Japan, knowing this, sees in ,the present shattered condition of Chinese politics an admirable opportunity for seizing both the goose and the eggs. What must impress any traveller to-day who arrives at Mukden is Japan’s complete control of this area. She has practically captured all the trade of China, north of Shanhaikwan up to the Chinese Eastern railway at Changchun. General Chang-Tso-Lin, the northern leader, is not necessarily willing to be the servant of the Japanese policy, but he has doubtlessly unconsciously made use of Japan’s assistance and begins to find the incubus difficult to shake off. He is in a very sorry position since the Soviet forces reached Vladivostok and may at any time try to force a shorter transit of the eastern railway, when Chang-Tso-Lin will have to tackle them himself with defeat spelling complete surrender to Japanese aims in Mukden or definitely call in Japan’s assistance which would bind him to them for ever as a quid l pro quo. The Japanese cannot be blamed for putting themselves in a position of security there. Their actions have been perfectly natural and straightforward and that they are not economically in harmony with the future wishes of western nations is not Japan’s fault. If Occidental nations do not take combined action in restoring China’s fallen fortunes they are opening the door to Oriental action which would be far more likely to achieve this result.