The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. FRIDAY, MARCH 25, 1927. THE POSITION IN CHINA.

Hokitika Guardian, 25 March 1927, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. FRIDAY, MARCH 25, 1927. THE POSITION IN CHINA.

The confusion of affairs in China • I Si'mvs more confounded, but the pro--13 f?ress of events even though resulting ini in a more difficult and intense posiHtion, should show some signs of_ mending shortly. The Cantonese have had J distinct success of late, due to tlie < ■ defection of both leaders a,nd troops on tlie Northern side. Out of the burly burly and the storm and stress, the Cantonese promise to 'be the superior parti’ in which ease there will be a definite entity tb deal with, and some prospect of carrying ■’through negotiations which will have the respect of an authoritative party. The the same time it has to lie bo-n» in mind that tlie Cantonese or Southerners are closely associated with Bolshevism. T lie “White” Russians with the Northerners were glad to escape to the foreign settlements to avoid the fury of the Southerners. The “Whites” are the surviving forces of the antiBolshevik armies which fought in Russia and Siberia while Peniken and his ‘White’’ forces still held the %ld against Trotsky. Apart from this, it has been generally understood that tlie Cantonese are working amicably with the Bolsheviks and receiving substantial assistance from that quarter. There is, too, the fact that the Russian press is rejoicing at the success of the Cantonese, showing at once where tlieir sympathies are. Until the situation clarifies around Shanghai there will he much concern about the fate of the foreign position in that i quarter. It seems to he a most fortunate circumstance that Britain rush- i ed troops and warships to Shanghai s for defensive purposes. No doubt- < many “foreign” lives have been saved < thereby. The British, nationals in i particular have occasion to be thank- n fill for the help which has proved st\ q timely. And other nations were not i slow to follow the British example ci realising the wisdom of it. The situation is a very difficult one. The C rabble forces about China are so numer- n ous that any untoward event might a provoke a serious situation. Cliapei, I so often mentioned in the cables, is u very close to the International Set- li tlement. and dominates the main station on the railway line linking up Nanking via Shanghai with Woosung. This was a material factor for the Cantonese, enabling them at an early c;, stage to hold a most important railway line. The future of the Chinese concessions will lie at stake as a re- Hi result of the present developments, tli The British managed the Hankow 2r affair admirably, single handed. There th may not be the same chance of success ac

at Shanghai-, whore every Nation which owns a navy is represented. There may be a cndiicL of ideas oil the part of the ‘•foreign” elements in China, and diplomatic difficulties are possible. The evidences of serious disorder are very great, and it will be remarkable if the defenders of the Settlement "ill show; all the fijrobearauee necessary to the end. It

seems fortunate in one respect that the defence is falling mainly on the British. They have shown a readiness to meet the situation with courage and tact. A great responsibility rests on those in command, but there is no occasion to doubt their judgment in the extremities. II is on occasions such as this when the excellent training and discipline of the British forces come so prominently to tln> fore, and it is realised what a factor a well regulated army may he in aiding ;> peaceful outcome. There is a national spirit manifesting itself in Chinn. There will be no regrets at that assertion of nationhood if the leaders prove <v|tinl to and eanahle of flic task hei’ol'e them. The Chinese lack cdiicaion which is a most serious <lraw had;, and I herein is the danger of the whole situation. II lias been apparently the special opportunity of the Bolsheviks to sow the seed of their tenets. The opportunity lias not been neglected. The developments now taking place will indicate how swiftly history is to be made for China in the near future, hut the sooner law and order are restored the better for all embroiled in the present distracting situation.