The Guardian And Evening Star, with winch is incorporated the West Coast Times. SATURDAY, MARCH 17. 1928. THE EAR EAST

Hokitika Guardian, 17 March 1928, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with winch is incorporated the West Coast Times. SATURDAY, MARCH 17. 1928. THE EAR EAST

There arc signs that Britain's patience and well-doing arc to rewarded in the Bar East, where the tide appears to lie turning favourably. Two important incidents have been reported from China within the present week. The British Governor of Hongkong paid an oitieial visit to Canton, and lias been received there with public enthusiasm. At the same time the British Minister at Peking, visiting Shanghai, has been cordially greeted and feted by the leading Chinese organisations of that great city The two events, taken in conjunction, considers an exchange, | appears to indicate that British presI tige is once more in the ascendant in the Far East, and that the tide which lias been setting so long against Britain’s interests in China has now turned in her favour. It may be said that demonstrations of popular approval are always unreliable, and that Oriental crowds do not always discriminate between friends and foe>. But it is a. most significant fact that these displays of good feeling towards Ihe representatives of Britain have been accompanied by strong manifestations of Chinese hostility to Britain’s worst enemies. At Canton, so long the headquarters of Bolshevik propaganda in the Far East, one of Cliiang Kai-shek’s lieutenants lias torn down the anti-Bri-tish placards distributed by Bolshevik agents. An even more remarkable proof of tiie changed tone of public feeling in Southern China is the proposal to demolish the monument erected three years ago to the “Whampoa martyrs,” the Chinese military cadets who, organised and led bv Russians, were killed while attacking the foreign reservations at. Canton. Without any risk of exaggerating the significance of these events, we may accept them as positive proof of the decline of Bolshevik influences in China ; and they further indicate a revival of public confidence in the promises and intentions of Britain. We need hardly enlarge upon the importance of such a change for the better in British relations with the Chinese people. On the material side it will make a great financial and commercial difference to Britain. Hongkong and the British merchants interested in its vast trade lave suffered very heavy losses through lie boycott organised under Bolshevik lirection. and the restoration of normal trade conditions will be eagerly rel corned. But far more important hnn such considerations is the possiility of establishing permanently rnicable relations with the Chinese, j nd thus preparing the way for an | ffective and peaceful solution of the rent problem of the Far East.