CHINA AND MANCHURIA.

Waikato Times, Volume 108, Issue 18139, 2 October 1930, Page 6

CHINA AND MANCHURIA.

A new chapter in China’s history of internecine strife is suggested by the new'S that the Manchurian War Lord, Chang Sheuh Lin, has issued something in the nature of an ultimatum to the North and South China militarists. As a result of this if is rumoured that Marshal Chiang Kai-Shek, the head of the Nanking Government and Marshal Feng Yu-Hsiang and General Yen ShiShan, co-heads of the Peking regime are about to withdraw and retire from their activities. So meagre is the news contained in the cable that, it is hard to assign the reason for this sudden proposed act of virtue on the part of two such notorious self seeking rascals as Chiang and Feng. By their past list of nefarious deeds neither can be trusted, any promises they may make can only be regarded with the gravest of suspicion. Yen is a man of different calibre, one who could accomplish a great deal for China if he were only in better company. No intimation is given of what is behind Chang’s threat and therefore one can only surmise. Manchuria since the time that the present ruler’s father came into power ha ; s enjoyed a period of peace, good government, and comparative prosperity in direct contrast to unfortunate China. Her territory has not been crossed by warring factions, except in the case of the Soviet troops during the dispute over the Chinese Eastern Railway. Once or twice Chang the elder, sallied forth at the head of his troops into Chinese territory, but returned to, Mukden without accomplishing his desires. On the last occasion he was travelling from Peking to Mukden this great man fell to the hand of an assassin. His son following him assumed control of a country placed on a sound basis by his father. The son soon gave evidence that he had by no means the character or any of, the other good qualities of his parent. For a time Manchuria’s prospects were uncertain, then wiser counsels among the older generation persuaded Chang to give ear to their advice and tranquillity and security were restored. The policy of the father was not to build up, Chinese fashion, a huge rabble of an army, but only one which the country could afford to see equipped on modern lines and efficiently trained. The policy has been continued, and north of the great wall of China whence come China’s finest soldiers a modern force of infantry, cavalry, and aviators has been steadily growing into' an efficient fighting force. Aeroplanes, tanks, armoured cars, machine guns, and all the modern adjuncts of war have been accumulating in Manchuria. Probably preparations have reached a stage where the Manchurians feet they need have no fears of any repetitions of Chang Tso I/in’s too previous expeditions into China. The moment to strike

has perhaps arrived, and Chiang, Feng and Yen, knowing what the force of Manchuria means, realise that discretion is the better part of valour. History has a habit of repeating 'itself, and we may yet see the Manchus restored to power at Peking, but, considering the'perversity of modern Chinese history we may see the reverse and Chang allied with one or other of the parties. With China to-day so rapid are affairs and volte faces none can ten.