The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. WEDNESDAY, JULY 27, 1927. THE REVOLT OF ASIA.

Hokitika Guardian, 27 July 1927, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. WEDNESDAY, JULY 27, 1927. THE REVOLT OF ASIA.

Recent events and developments in the East have produced quite a crop of hooks which seek to explain the origins of the Nationalist movement, and to predict the course which it will follow. An addition to their number is “The Revolt of Asia,” by Mr Upton Close. Mr Close, who is an American journalist, says a reviewer, makes his points with lucidity and emphasis, but it cannot he said that he breaks much new ground, except, perhaps, in his recommendations. He reminds us that the Oriental no longer accepts the doctrine of the superiority of the white man. The war disillusioned him on that subject. Moreover, lie has taken to heart the principle of self-determination affirmed at Versailles. WTiy should it not he applied to him? Why should he submit to the encroachment of the foreigner ? These considerations, together with the spread of education,

have created a fervent national selfconsciottsncss. I’iic least is awake. .1 he tide of nationalism is in full flood. ’I here is. however, a great deal of loose thinking and loose writing on the question of “unequal treaties’’ and exploitation. A treaty is not necessarily unequal because it is concluded between a strong Power and a weak. Many of the concessions which foreigners enjoy in China, for example, are the result of business transactions, of bargains entered into freely by mutual consent, each party receiving a quid pro quo. It the Chinese Government wishes a loan, it is not oppressive for the lender to require guarantees. Ihe building with foreign capital of a railway in a .South American State is not described as exploitation. Why should it he so in the case of China:' AN hat

»,i.Terence is there between American (ontrol of the financial administration in. say. Costa liioa and European control of the Customs administration ill China r' The Powers are willing to go far to meet China’s national aspirations, hut they are quite justified in insisting that their lawfully acquired rights hall he respected. and that the interest-; of their subjects who are in China upon their legitimate occasions •shall be safeguarded. Also the fulfilment of many ot the Nationalists’ turns would he a doubtful boon. In India the extremists yearn to throw off the British “yoke.’’ Gandhi admits that should the British leave India the Moslems would fall upon the Hindus. He is content to pay the price for the attainment of his ends. But does the humble ryot regard the prospect with such equanimity? Mr Close declares that the Western Powers, with the sole exception of America, lack the ability to resist the Asiatic revolt. They may accede to the demands rather as good losers. oi‘ sullenly with an illgrace, but accede they must. America is the only one that can make opposition by the white race to the termination of its world dominence possible. The future is in her hands. What will her policy he? Mr Close hopes that out of a sense of equity anil fair dealing she will recognise the claims of the Orient. Me argues that America should evacuate the Philippines, holding that any attempt at colonisation by Japan would fail. But even if Japan were to absorb the group or the Japanese or Chinese to establish a commercial supremacy there ho thinks that it would not greatly matter. America has a hundred times the trade with Japan than she has with the Philippines, and with the latter under Japanese control there is no reason to suppose that the volume of trade'would diminish. It will bo .seen that Mr Close raises some highly controversial issues. AVe wonder how far Ins views represent those of bis fellow countrymen. ft is to be doubted all the same if the Americans can achieve the success the British have as colonisers. Great Britain lias many far flung dominions. due in the main to the British character, in settlement. Other nations bad equal opportunities to go abroad .and did go far afield, but failed to bold what they sought. The British methods have shown tolerance, and the white man’s burden of which Britain bad the heavy end. lias been shouldered without seeking to'-avoid full resp.onsihiitics. .Great Britain’s record for tolerance suggests at once that in that very characteristic, Mr Close may be far out in bis relative estimate of how far Britain will go in maintaining the peaceful security of her Empire abroad.