MORNING POST’S ARTICLE

Hokitika Guardian, 12 June 1923, Page 2

MORNING POST’S ARTICLE

JAPANESE. IN CHINA. AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. (Received this day at 8 a.m.) LONDON, June 11. The “Morning Post’s” special article, says that China is divided into three main camps carrying on governments of their own and only falling in with the wishes of the Pekin Government / when it suits them. There are, roughly, Manchuria and Northern China, Central China to tho Ynngtse Valley, and Southern China. There are vast tracts owning no allegiance to the leaders of these three districts and the fringe of disbanded or unpaid soldiers who roam the country reaching a livelihood at the bayonet’s point. As a result of this lawlessness, the better educated Chinese have transferred their interests to treaty ports, where their business is helped by railway development, which is increasing by leaps and bounds in Southern Manchuria. Japan controls the Dairen and Chung Chun railway and she is in practical occupation in this sphere. For many years the Yangtse Valley was a- British sphere, but Japan now stands there cn equality with England and America. The correspondent is of the opinion that if Japan consolidates her position, most of China will ultimately fall under her innuenee. It is not to her advantage to wait for other nations to support law and order. The Chinese are not averse to locking to Japan for assistance against white domination, and Japan knowing this, sees in the present shattered condition of Chinese politics an admirable opportunity for seizing both the goose and the eggs. General Cluing Tsolin, the northern lender, lias unconsciously made use of Japanese assistance and begins to find the incubus difficult to shake oil. He is in a sorry position since the Soviet forces reached Vladivostok and he may have to tackle them, and with defeat, spelling a complete surrender to Japan. The Japanese cannot be blamed for putting themselves in a position of security there. Their actions have I seen perfectly natural and straightforward. They are not, economically, in harmony with the future wishes of western nations. It is not Japan’s fault if the Occidental nations do not take combined action in restoring China’s fallen fortunes. They are opening the door to Oriental action which they will he far more likely to achieve by this result.