Evening star., 1920-04-04
BY THEODORE f. BURTON.
Former Senator From Ohio.

BY THEODORE f. BURTON.
Former Senator From Ohio.
n 7 NOTWITHSTANDING the most
Nj vital differences between the
Chinese and Japanese. there
are striking resemblances in
their political ideals. Like other
orientals, they do not readily adapt
themselves to popular institutions.
Their traditions inspire homage for
the glamour of the imperial purple
when worn by sovereign whose ia
hled descent is from heaven. Parlia-
,nents and civil officials who come and
go have less regard. Reforms and
concessions to opponents are usually
Jhe result not of argument and COM
non counsel. but of force.
In both countries there is an ire
aressible conflict between the mill
tary element and the civil admins
tration.
In Japan the former. reinforced by
strongly intrenched bureaucracy.
has overshadowed the civil authori-
ties. In China the military is almost
rs influential. Frequently officers of
the army have exercised control in
civil affairs or contracted loans prom
ising valuable government property
IS security without the authority OF
the parliament or responsible officials
and indeed without their knowledge.
A Chinese admiral in command at a
dockyard heard that the plant had
heen mortgaged to a foreign power.
He Immediately sought out the head
of his department. who told him he
knew nothing of it and referred him
to the minister of finance. The min
lister of finance also was without in
formation and referred him to the
minister of foreign affairs. who stat
ed that he was unaware of any such
loan. Nevertheless. the inquirer was
unconvinced and threatened resigna-
ton.
Anfu Club Active.
The center of military influence in
China is an organization at Peking
called the Anfu Club. the name Anfu
meaning comfort and happiness. This
club was formed ostensibly as social
organization some three years ago.
and now includes two or three hun
dred members. among them leading
generals and flnanciers. with a sprin-
Ling of those now or formerly in po-
litical life.
The organization is amply financed
and is believed to, receive money for
its purposes from outside of China. 1t
demands that cabinet officials and
other officers resign il their course is
Tot approved. Just recently the pre-
nlier. appointed last October, and the
minister of foreign affairs, who had
been absent in Paris. were compelled
TO resign their portfolios because of
the opposition of the Anfu Club. This
organization is supposed to be friend
ly to the japanese and is nucleus
for those who have lost hope of aid
from the western powers and favor
closer relations with Japan. Just now
to Shantung. The Japanese govern
nent demands that the negotiations
IN reference to. the restoration of SOW
erignty in this province shall be con-
Quoted directly between Japan and
China without the intervention or
suggestion of any outside powers. In
this contention it seems to have the
support of the Anfu Club. The
Chinese administration at Peking, ON
the other hand, desires to present the
questions in controversy to the league
of nations. Popular opinion supports
this course. In the meantime settle
n1ent is deferred, perhaps for an in
definite period.
Bitter resentment has been aroused
against the extra official activities OF
this powerful organization. Ine Sc.
ceding provinces in the south regard
its objects as fatal to Chinese lnde-
pendence. In addition, other prov
inces in the north, including the very
juportant province of Chilli. in which
.re located the cities of Peking anc
TIentsin, have expressed Singing pro-
tests against its methods.
Unite Severed Portions.
The first essential for the recon-
struction of China is, of course. the
uniting of the two severed portions
Not only is it true that in unity there
s strength, but the division creates
constant turmoil and the threat of
civil war China's best hope-that of
regeneration from within-is dissipat
ed so long as factiOnal strife prevails.
An excuse is afforded for the mainte-
name of a large army of national aud
provincial troops, estimated to include
2o9. 900 soldiers. This army absGrbs
the available revenues of the country,
but IS practically useies1 for resist
ance against foreign aggression and
of bandits and domestic disorder The
| situation is complicated by the fact
| that it is feared the 1isbanaed So
diers will become bandits ano stir
further increase the anarchy which
prevails.
1t can readily be seen that the iii
vision of the country into two i6r-
| tions with separate governments in-
creases the difficulty of dealing with
foreign nations. Last summer proIni-
nent Japanese statesman. in speakin.:
| of Shantung, said: "If we release our
| hold in that province. to which gov
ernment shall we give ito the north
o. to the SOUTH" 1t must be admitted
that the present prospect of healing
the breach is not hopeful.
The ruling powers of the north re-
card those of the south as rebeiS piIe
and simple, while those in the south
consider the northerners as having
suppressed the aspirations which
prompted the overthrow of the Man
Gnu dynasty.
The southern delegates. chosen to
negotiate for uniting the two por-
tions. demand that the northern gov
ernment make public secret treaties
with Japan which. they allege. exist
in considerable numbers. Mr.. Sun
Yat-Sen. the first provincial presi-
dent when asked last November il
there was hope of union. replied :
Yes. if they will agree to my terms
lie favored another civil war If those
premier of the Peking government. a
military man week earlier had
said he despaired of accom- plishing
rax11t nf Gelihara =