IMPRESSIONS OF CHINA

Taranaki Daily News, 7 April 1927, Page 14

IMPRESSIONS OF CHINA

WANGANUI MAN’S STORY - A MEETING WITH CHANG. THE BOLSHEVIK ELEMENT. Mr. Gregor McGregor, in conversation with a Wanganui Herald reporter in regard to his observations in China, in which he travelled thousands of miles some six years ago, remarked that properly generalled and equipped the Chinese nation would sweep the rest of the world off the face of the earth. It was only lack of this and. the tremendous mortality that occurred during periods of starvation that kept them back, a sort of provision in Nature that kept them within bounds. During the time of Mr. McGregor’s visit there was a famine in Hupi,’ Hunan, and Shansi, in which some thirty millions were starving. He was informed at the time that possibly some ten millions might survive. Ho also had the pleasure of meeting Chang-tse-Lin, and. that gentleman on one occasion placed a special train at his disposal to travel three miles to afternoon tea. Mr. McGregor, at the time of his visit could foresee trouble coming. Russian Bolshevists were pouring into the country in astonishingly large numbers, not to engage on any commercial mission, but to stir up trouble. In a letter to one of the governors, Mr. McGregor pointed out that he could foresee trouble, and unfortunately it had come true. Personally, he did not think that it would co te so rapidly as it had. This Russian element was out to stir up hatred against the British. Prior to their advent the British were held in the highest esteem by the Chinese, and they always spoke of Britain as one and “Melica,” meaning America, as two. ATTITUDE OF MISSIONARIES. Questioned regarding missionary influence, Mr. McGregor said he travelled widely in the country, met several missionaries, and he came to the conclusion that their influence was of small range and only in their immediate sphere of operations. Outside that they had no sway, and when trouble arose the missionaries were the first they attacked. Mission influence might tc«'d to prevent infant mortality through the medicine supplied. \ Mr. McGregor found it very difficult to fathom the Chinese mind, particularly in the north, where they would listen to what one had to say, but give no indication by expression as to what they thought of any opinion expressed. Some of the northerners were men of splendid physique, being over six feet in height, and altogether different to the Chinese we see in this country, who mainly come from Hongkong and Formosa. He considered that if the north and the south unite then it would be a serious matter for the British. After going to Peking and thence to Tai Yuen Fu, Mr. McGregor rode 400 miles on camels and horse back to Mongolia. The whole of China is under cultivation, but not so with Mongolia, which is more of an open country. In China except in the more important towns and cities there was no such thing as a light in the houses' at night. They rose at daylight and went to bed at dark. At dawn he saw thousands of workers going forth into the fields. Mr. McGregor had an interesting trip on the Yang Tsze Kaing. It was a splendid w'aterway and over 800 miles up he saw a boat drawing 29ft 3in. Their railways were also good and travel cost about the same as in New Zealand. There was no such thing as a Sunday in China and work went on as usual. . CHINA AND TREELESS COUNTRY. It was also a treeless country, and he said he did not see a blade of grass during the whole of his extensive tour. This also reminded Mr. McGregor that he met a Russian botanist, who appeared to be the essence of a fine fellow, but who was none other than a Russian spy out on the pretence of botanising. All the roads the visitor travelled over were of clay, and there was not a sign of metal. These tracks had been worn deep by the travelling of countless millions over thousands of years.

Another interesting feature to the visitor was that all fruit and other provisions appeared to taste the same, and there was that peculiar Chinese smell about them. ) Asked if he had met Chiang Kai Shek, who has proclaimed himself dictator of China, Mr. McGregor said he had not had the pleasure, but he had heard that, like Chang, he was at one time the leader of a band of 'brigands, the majority of whom were captured. It is said that a warrant for the arrest of Chiang, who succeeded in making his escape at that time, is still in existence at Shanghai. Born in 1886 Chiang joined the Kuomintang Party early in life, but he only rose into prominence three years ago, when he was appointed principal of the Whampoa Cadet School. He then went to Shanghai to recruit some of*Lu Yung-hsiangs defeated army. At one time he had in his school as many as 800 cadets under special training. These he sent and 2500 non-commissioned officers to the different armies in Canton to reorganise and consolidate them into one fighting machine with the aid of Russian money and guns. Thus armed Chiang staged a few bold strokes and made himself master of Canton. First he smashed Chen Chiungming’s troops and drove them across the border. Then he annihilated the Kwangsi-Yunnan forces and reduced Kwangs! to the control of Canton. One by one liis opponents were eliminated until he was the lone master in Canton. Now he has led his army on a triumphal campaign which has given him control of the whole of the Yangtse Vajlcy, and his next objective is Peking. /