CHAOS IN CHINA.

Hokitika Guardian, 31 August 1921, Page 1

CHAOS IN CHINA.

TWO GOVERNMENTS. VISITOR’S IMPRESSIONS. The impression gleaned by interviewers, of the chaotic state of affairs in China, are confirmed by recent arrivals fro mthe East. “The confused state of China while 1 was there impressed me most,” commented a business man who returned last week. “There is no pretence of Government in China. There was a sort of Government at Canton, and another at Peking. At Pekin the Govern mont takes no notice of Canton at all. “To give you an example of the ernfusion which exists. Recently several regiments were disbanded, and the men were given a month’s pay. The soldiers said that was no good to them as they were hundreds of miles from home. So they mutinied, and looted lohang and another large town. The people who suffered in this way did not ob,o, t. but,.generally said to the soldiers: “Take your loot, then go away, and leave us alone.” Consequently k'haug so far as its government is concerned, is in a state of chaos. MANAGEMENT OF SHANGHAI. “Another factor of China which impressed mo wits the wonderful management of the city of Shanghai. This is managed by nine Commissioners, inch representing a diflerent- country. Hit's each have llieir respective post offices, and police in some cases, and. considering all the circumstances, the management of the city is remarkable. The Commissioners act in am honorary capacity, anil do not receive any payment for their services. “As the Chinese of-Shanghai pay part of the taxes of the city, an effort was made recently to have a Chinese representative appointed to the council. They naiveley put forward the plea of no taxation without representation. The police reply was that in matters of the Government of the city practically the Chinese were not to be trusted. Jin Chinese smiled, and accepted the situation gracefully. No further attempt was made to have their representative included. “There is a line farce of 2-iljO civilian volunteers at Shanghai, which provides -a.lety and comfort lor everyone, but tbeir services are. seldom called upon, these volunteeis embrace almost all nationalities. and include a regiment of 11 ighlaiuli-rs. IMMENSE TRAFFIC. “The immense traffic in Shanghai is carried oil in the most orderly way. mid you never see a drunken man in the streets. 1 should not think there would be much scope for the prohibitionist in that city, from what f observed. Like lloug Kong, the 1 itv of Shanghai is both remarkable and hiautiful. You can drive for miles and miles in Shanghai, passing hundreds of splendidly built stone mansions, surrounded by magnificent gardens and every appearance of luxury. Most of these are the property of Europeans, although a few are owned by m h C! lines#. “Shanghai is passing through very bad times, financially, and business has been sbnl-y there for the past two or three years. This is considered to be due to the general collapse following the war. One extraordinary thing is the number ol banks in that city, and as far as [ can make out not one of these institutions ever went through the pro-ess of a thoroughly exhaustive audit. 1 believe a bank which collapsed recently never had one responsible audit made of its accounts.”