The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. THURSDAY, JUNE 28, 1928. THE EASTERN CRISIS.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 June 1928, Page 2

Th e Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. THURSDAY, JUNE 28, 1928. THE EASTERN CRISIS.

Events in China appear to have proceeded according to plan, and the expected has come to pass' in due season. This view is confirmed by an extract from the London Daily Mail of last month recording the arrival in London of Dt Wang Chung-hui, a member of the Chinese Nationalist Government. He is Minister of Justice at Nanking, but on his visiting card is the inscription, “Member of Central Committee for Reconstruction of the Republic of China on Economic and Financial Mission.” He is a member of' the English Bar and was acting Premier of China in 1922 and in 1924. Dr Wang, in outlining bis plans to a Daily Mail reporter, said: “Peking is to fall within a few weeks to the Nationalists. Onoe we have it we shall set about disbanding as many soldiers as we can. Then will come the building of roads and the development of agriculture and commerce. Our constitutional programme includes universal suffrage—after the reconstruction period. One of mv jobs here is to study liow reconstruction problems may .be tackled after a-war. We expect to effect a readjustment of Chinese relations with the Powers, on the basis on equality and reciprocity. This will involve a revision of treaties by means of negotiations.” It is evident from this that progress of the war and its outcome has been according to plan, as it were, for Dr Wang’s prediction about the fall of Peking has been verified. Sir Austen Chamberlain’s review of the Chinese situation in the Commons last week indicated that the peaceful penetration of the Nationalists was proceeding,

which gives cause to believe that Dr Wang’s further indications of the policy of the Nationalists will be brought to pass. The gravity of the critical situation hitherto existing, appears to be passing. This is specially so in regard lo the relations with Japan. Apparently Japan is so far satisfied with the turn events are taking, that her attitude is not now so bellicose. Tho world has been freed evidently from the spectacle of another sanguinary struggle. No doubt the Powers will be pleased equally. Tine Americans have held aloof from the turmoil beyond offering services as an intermediary. Great Britain probed the situation very deeply at the time of the Hankow affair and after, and is quite content, evidently, to agree to peace with honor. China will help herself greatly with the Powers by keeping clear of Russia, and her intriguing agents. China has much to gain by such a policy, for it seems certain that clear of Russia, Britain, Japan and tlie United States, to say nothing of other Powers interested in the Far East, will be prepared to help the Nationalists greatly to achieve a sane policy of settled government over the Chinese masses. China has lacked the guidance of a recognised stable government, hut once this authority is set up with power to negotiate,' there is no doubt me issues affecting China will quickly he brought to a conclusion more or less .satisfactory to the principals.