CHINA’S AWAKENING

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 3 January 1931, Page 10

CHINA’S AWAKENING

WORK OF NATIONAL PARTY RECONSTRUCTION TASKS VIGOROUS FOREIGN POLICY The China of to-day is not the China of old romance, nor even the China of 30 year ago, contentedly dreaming oi past glories. China to-day is a. living moving force. A new spirit of nationalism has been awakened in the hearts of the people, who are. determined that China shall take her - rightful place among the nations of the world.

This strong declaration was made by the Chinese Consul-General (llr F. T. Sung) at a banquet given in his honour bv I in l Chinese residents of Brisbane recent ly.

Revie,wing the more recent history of China, Mr Sung said that the overthrow of the Mauelni dynasty in 1911, necessary as it was for the progress of the country, nevertheless threw China into a period of political chaos and civil war, which had been the cause of much sulVering to the people. Dr. Sun Vat Sen, “the father of the Chinese Republic,” recognised three distinct periods in the revolution of the counti v —first, a period of military destruction, which apparently was inevitable, ami which lasted for 17 years; secondly, a period of political training, and, lastly, a period of constitution.

ORIGIN OF NATIONAL MOVEMENT

The Kuo-min-tang, or Chinese National party, had its origin in the Hung Men Ilui (later known as Tung Men Hui), a revolutionary society formed in Tokio, Japan, in 1004; in 1912, when the elections for provincial and national assemblies were held, it united with other liberal parties for the purpose of this election, ami the Kuo-min-tang was horn. By 192(1 it had become a much stronger political force within the country, and the ideas which it held became much more generally accepted. By March, 1927, tlm Nationalist Army was in/control of (lie whole, of the country south of the Yangtso Valley. Difficulties with the more radical members of the party delayed further operations for a whole year. In March, 1925. the Kuo-min-tang party act out for Peking, the capture of which city, so long the scat of the Northern Government. was essential for the party s prestige. By June, despite international complications at ’Tsinan, Shantung, the city of Peking had been evacuated, and assisted by Feng Yu Hsiang, the Kuo-min-tang was in possession ot the Northern capital, and the seat of government for the whole of China was definitely established at Nanking. The name of Peking was changed to that by which it was originally known, Peiping, meaning “Northern Peace.” It was claimed, said Mr Sung, that the period of military destruction was over, and that the second period—that of political training —had been entered upon, in olicet, the party was in the position of national dictator acting on behalf of the people until such time is the people themselves slibuld be in a position to set up a. constitutional Government. Thus the National Congress of tiie Kuo-min-tang was the highest authority within the country. Having obtained this measure of unity and stablity the country was frankly facing its problems of reconstruction. It was fortunate that China, with this reconstruction work before her, was not overburdened with national debt. Australia, so lie gathered from the newspapers, had an interest bill of £1,000,000 a week. It was probable that China’s total indebtedness did not much exceed that sum.

PLACE IN THE WORLD TO-DAY Far more important than military successes, far more vital than capture of the former capital city, was the new spirit of nationalism that had been awakened in the hearts of the people. This alone had made possible the national revolution. In its vigorous foreign policy the National Government of China was focussing its attention on the overseas Chinese, whereas under the Manchu dynasty no consideration was given to those people who had emigrated. A commission had been appointed which was now investigating the conditions under"; which Chineso lived in the countries of their adoption.

AND MIKE’S LESSON One day Mike the monkey had a dispute with Pepper the porcupine. Having a very hot temper, Pepper finally pushed Mike down a well, and chuckled when he heard the poor monkey go splash into the water. ‘'Your courage will be cooled by the time you get out,” he laughed as he went off. When the jungle friends collected as usual at sunset, Mike did not appear, and Pepper began to feel uneasy. Next day there was still no sign of Mike, so in the evening Pepper hastened to the well and looked anxiously down. But lie could see nothing. “Mike, are you there V” he called. “I thought you’d get out at once. Give me a paw, old fellow, and I’ll pull.” “I’m too far down,” whispered a faint voice. “Get a trail of very strong vine—maybe I have just enough strength to hold on.” Pepper was horrified. His eyes were clouded with anxiety ns he tore at the vine, and his legs were trembling. Mike must be very bad indeed to speak in a voice like that! At last Pepper flung a great twist of vine into the well, and taking the end in his mouth, lie told Mike to climb up. “I'm too feeble,” whispered the voice. “Turn your back to the well, and pull bard.” Pepper pulled, but be pulled such a terrible weight that the quills shot oil' his hack one after another. As the last one went, he landed his burden. Then, when he breathlessly turned round, he beheld Canibitc the crocodile! Pepper had just enough strength left lo escape, hut Cambite’s voice was heard all over the jungle. “1 fell into the well after Alike had climbed out, and I might have stayed there for ever if you had not pulled me up,” laughed Cnnibite. “See where a bad temper leads you,” giggled Mike, who had been watching all the time. “You do look a fright!” Pepper went for a holiday—tiil his quills grew again.

SCHOOLBOY FUN The rough and tumble of school-chil-dren often result in cuts, bruises, and abrasions (o legs, arms .and hands. Mothers should always be prepared for such accidents. They should keep a pot of Bee Ointment handy. It immediately soothes and quickly heals. Famous in New Zealand for the last 60 years. All chemists and stores.

Skin eruptions disappear when you regularly cat Yeaston Tablets. Only iri Lcrnnl treatment required.—Necs, Cliern ist, Hardy street.