China’s Most Powerful Man.

Hokitika Guardian, 14 January 1922, Page 1

China’s Most Powerful Man.

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DELEGATES RULED BY HIDDEN FIGURE/" FORMER BRIGAND WITH FIVE WIVES. (From Viscount Nortlicliffe). PEKIN, Nov 10. A hidden, but one of the dominating figures at Washington is China’s most powerful man, -Governor-General Chang Tso-lin of Manchuria, whose con trol of the Chinese delegates at Washington is as absolute as his control of the Peking Government. When I saw him last night he was engaged in selecting a new Peking Cabinet. This 42-years old self made man, .formerly a brigand with! five wives and large families, has an army reputed to bo 800,000 strong, equipped with the latest machine guns, arid Vickers-RolLs Roycc and Handley Page aeroplanes, and an income of probably £500,000. When we arrived at Mukden Station if was met by his staff, including a secretary, who speaks perfect English with' an American accent, and was driven rapidly to the Palace, in one of the , latest American six-cylinder motor-cars, j After a mediaeval reception at the outer gates I was received with an Oriental greeting of tea, champagne, j and sweets in a beautiful Chinese draw-ing-room where there are many valuable pieces of jade. PEARL IN HIS HAT. Chanf Tsolin' is a small man, gentle-8-peaking, and dresses simply in Chinese fash'ion with a large pearl in his lint. In a discussion about the Washington Conference he showed a complete knowledge of world affairs, and said: “I i stand 'by China. i 'UUe present chaos is not new. CliinJ eso affairs always get worse before they get better. Unlike Japan, China is a slow —but sure—country. ’ “As to the financial chaos, you mention that our resources are immense. ]l a,m searching for better administrators. In two years things will be better. Our enormous wealth is untapped, 1 unorganised. I believe that now the ! European war is finished Japan will act •kindly towards China. The Governor is an indefatigable ! worker. Beginning his duties at 11 ; o’clock at! night he sees every document | himself and goes to bed at G o’clock’ in the morning. In the afternoon ho gives audiences and sleeps till 6 p.m. or 7 p.m. DOMINATED BY .TArAN.

Chang Tsolin is notoriously under ’ Japanese influence, partly owing to i financial reasons and partly owing to l | the presence in the neighbourhood of the ! Japanese Manchuria garrison. During the past fortnight T have had many interviews with Japanese, Chinese. Americans, and British. I believe the .Tapanesq position to be as follows: Japan will talk much about the exclusion of the Japanese from California, and British Columbia, and also about Shantung and Yap. but she'- will give way on these matters if she is pressed. But all are unanimous that at’present the chief object of the Japanese is the domination of Chinn by the expansion of her power in' Manchuria and Siberia All Chinese feel the Shantung question and the nhro -ration of the AngTo•Taranese Alliance are of the first importance.

T always have been .an admirer of Japan, and my admiration has been in creased by lier calmness in face of business depression, unemployment, and of the. fact that tlie cost of living is higher than in the United States. The military party is undoubtedly in control. The so-caTlcd Democracy is nonexistent owing to the supreme power of four Elder Statesmen.

Business men greatly fear the possibility of an American boycott of export and import rade, depriving Japan of cotton and her market for silk. Many factories are closed (jlown or working short time.

Despite mv delightful reception throughout .Japan and Corea, I should not be doing my duty if I did not stnUthat Japanese efficiency, specially as to printed, spoken, and personal propaganda., is part and parcel and typical of Japanese patriotism, thoroughness, foresight and attention to detail. I always remember that Chang Tsolin controls the Chinese delegates and that .Japan has a great influence over this remarkable man. It is considered by many prominent .Chinese, Americans, and British regrettable that vast mil- i lions in Southern Chinn are not represented at Washingon.