The Daily News WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 1921. REHABILITATING CHINA.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 November 1921, Page 4

The Daily News WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 1921. REHABILITATING CHINA.

No attempt to settle international problems can meet with any permanent success until China has been freed from the domination and exploitation of other Powers. Authoritative opinion is now reaching towards unanimity in considering that China, if given the opportunity, will be able to solve her own problems and work out her own destiny, but that so long as she remains at the mercy of other nations there will always be the risk of armed force being utilised for the sake of gain by some unscrupulous nation. A striking illustration of this was given by the German seizure of KaioChau towards the close of the last century, the murder of two German missionaries furnishing a pretext for ordering a German squadron to land in Chinese territory to avenge the massacre, resulting in China being practically forced to lease Kiao-Chau to Germany for ninety-nine years, “the object being to satisfy the reasonable desire of the German Government to possess a base for commerce and navigation in Chinese waters, as other Powers do.” It may also be remembered that one result of the Boxer rising was that Russia occupied Manchuria, which evoked a protest from both China and Japan; and it was the failure of Russia to carry out her repeated promises to evacuate that province, aggravated by her encroachments upon Korea, that led to the RussoJapanese war, the outcome of which was, at the time, considered to have been of greater advantage to China than to Japan, for it, not only checked Russian designs upon Northern China, but served to reveal Japan’s strength, and to postpone indefinitely what a few years previously was regarded as probable, namely, the partition of China among the various European Powers. That war rendered a still more important service to China by stimulating a desire among her citizens to imitate Japan in her efforts to acquire some of the ways of Western civilisation. It also evoked the cry of: “China for the Chinese.” which in reality was the expression of the hope that an end would be put to the exploitation or spoliation by any stronger Power, and the building up of such a national power and spirit as would enable the Chinese themselves to develop their country and hold their own among the nations. Practically this spirit arid ambition are animating the Chinese delegates at the Washington Conference to-day. The part that China would be able to play in the world’s affairs, if she entered and followed the path so successfully trodden by Japan, is deemed to be well-nigh inconceivable. The area of the whole of China amounts to 4,376,400 square miles, or almost one and a half times that of Europe, while the natural resources of this vast territory, when fully developed, would surpass those of any other country. Once the inertia of the population is overcome and replaced by an activity that is more characteristic of the West, then China may be expected to become a giant in the world’s affairs. The policy of China, as represented by her delegates at the Conference now assembled at Washington, is to make her vast natural resources available for all the peoples needing them, and in return to receive the benefits of free and equal intercourse with all peoples. Britain has always favored the “open door” in China, and the ten general principles for consideration and adoption by the conference/ practically embody the slogan “China for the Chinese,” with safeguards for securing her territorial integrity, as well as political and administrative independence ; participation in all treaties or agreements affecting Chinese territory; the examination of all rights claimed by any Powers relating to China, their scope and validity to be determined; the removal of existing limitations and the duration of her present commitments to be fixed; the interpretation of all rights and privileges granted by China to be in her favor, and her neutrality to be fully respected in all future wars. The prompt enunciation of Britain’s policy towards China should prove a great advantage in giving a lead to the other Powers. That policy may be summarised as rehabilitation and protection from exploitation. Especially commendable is the announcement that any special rights Britain en- 1

joys in China are to be dealt with for the general well-being, so as to make the open door an absolute reality by international co-opera-tion. Apparently the American view coincides with Britain’s. It is Japan’s policy that seems to need carefully to be examined and closely watched. There may not exist the slightest reason for doubting Japan’s good faith towards China, yet Admiral Kato’s expressed opinion that all the conference can achieve is to adjust China’s foreign relations, leaving the Chinese themselves to work out their domestic situation, has created an impression in Chinese circles at Washington that Japan may want to take a hand in putting China on her feet, and probably reaping some reward for her benevolent action. If China

, eeds help or advice as to her domestic concerns, there should be some, .specially constituted authority representing the Powers (to whom China could apply. It would not be well that any other Power should be put in the position to use its influence, no matter how that Power may be trusted to be impartial and non-self-seeking. On this point-there should be no room for doubt if future trouble is to be avoided. China will almost certainly require the co-oper-ation of the other Powers if her rehabilitation is to mark a new era in her existence, so that it is satisfactory to note the general disposition that exists among ths delegates at Washington to encourage the progress and development of China by placing her on the same equality as regards freedom and independence as any of the great Powers, and thus open the way to expansion, which can take place slowly or rapidly, according to the measure of activity displayed by the Chinese.