CHINA WANTS A NAVY.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 13671, 9 April 1908, Page 7

CHINA WANTS A NAVY.

TO THRASH JAPAN. "If we had ari effective navy, a lino of modern battleships, and. a disciplined armyfVe wbiild not waste our time in a boycott," were the words used by Mr Tongt Chai Chih, tlie editor of the Tung Wall Times, in . discussing the present position of affairs with, a Sydney Herald reporter. "No," he added, striking a determined attitude, l'w& would, declare war against Japan at once, ■ and give them what they aro looking for — a good thrashing. If we were only able tojoefend ourselves, Wo -would "not tolerate these insults for a single moment." "China is awakening to her-defence-less condition at last. A country with such an enormous population as China should be able to protect its people and its trade. Wo ought not to bo in a position which compels us to quietly Hiibmit to these attacks by the, Japanese, and the people are now awakening to tho fact. Do you know," he significantly whispered, "1 have just received advices to the effect that six big naval colleges are to bo established in different parts of China to thoroughly train an army of officers for a future " powerful navy, and our a'ttitudo in a few years will be very different." -. . , - t A prominent Chinese merchant, referring to th© coming boycott, remarked: "The Chinese Merchant Society in Hongkong and Canton controls all trades — it is stronger than' the law. The pride of China has been soverely wounded by\ r ih.e" demand for an apology, and if a boycott is instituted at home you may depend upon it that wo will loyally; follow hero,." <