CLOUDS IN CHINA

Southland Times, Issue 20146, 5 April 1927, Page 6

CLOUDS IN CHINA

Chiang Kai-shek has taken the stand ex pected of him, practically denying that the Cantonese were in any way responsible foi the Nanking outburst, and blaming tht British and Americans for the trouble. The value of an inquiry conducted exclusive!} by anti-foreign officials is not likely to be rated any higher by the British and Ameri cans than their own view of the occurrence is set by Chiang Kai-shek and his advisers particularly when it is recognised that the Oriental mind regards truth as something which must always be governed by ex pediency. People who have been associatec with the administration of justice ir Oriental populations know that evidence anc truth are so wielcly and wonderfully sundered that the isolation of one fact is e process requiring great persistence and a capacity for seeing through the tortuous imaginings of the Asiatic witness. The Chinaman, no less than the Hindu, loves a good story better than a plain fact. In the circumstances, however, the earlier use of gunmen by the Cantonese to foment disorders, and their activities, extending from the beginning of the march at Canton to Shanghai, in stirring the masses against the “foreign devils” can be quoted as evidence justifying the presumption that the mobs at Nanking were part of the conquering Southern force. The British and Americans declare the attackers were uniformed troops, part of the Cantonese forces, which entered Nanking after the departure of the Northerners and deliberately turned on the white people in the city. Chiang Kaishek says they were Northerners wearing Cantonese uniforms. The circumstances bear a close resemblance to those reported in connection with the Hankow disturbances, though in the absence of an adequate land force in the early stages they were characterised by more violence. However the accusation and denial are valued, the pregnant fact remaining is that the tension is increasing, that the clouds in China are growing. The Boxer Rebellion, beginning ostensibly as a revolt completely independent of the Imperial Chinese Government, was subsequently shown to have been encouraged by the authorities, and the result was a conflict between the Government and the Western Powers. There are grave reasons for anticipating a similar outcome of these outbursts of mob violence for which the Cantonese blame everyone but themselves. Nanking, having convinced the Americans that their interests are as much in danger as the British, has brought, the two English-speaking countries closer to-

gether; but France, believing that she may still steer clear of trouble and reap advantages where her rivals lose, is anxious to remain aloof. The inarch of events, however, may compel the Americans and British to ignore the diffidence of France, because they are realising the soundness of the advice given at the outset, by Europeans living in China that only firmness, backed by force, will induce the Chinese to abandon the view that the foreigners can be kicked out of the country or so frightened that they will be pleased to renounce everything they possess. It will be extremely difficult to avert, a clash in China, and it will not be avoided without a complete less of British prestige in Asia, unless the Cantonese are made to realise that force can be met with force in the shape of armies more powerful in battle strength than any they can command.