Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1921-11-25

whether she rejects that principle Her
representatives here are COMFORTING them
s selves as ambassadors extraordinary of
n individually sovereign, stable. function
ing Chinese government. They base their
claims to unqualified recognition of the
fact that the Pekin regime is the only
one acknowledged by the powers as
sembled around the conference horseshoe.
But the assurances of Messrs. SEE, Koo
and Wong on that score are not con-
vi. cling to everybody. Vital and far
reaching arrangements, of hopedfor per-
msnency are under way in Washington.
viii it be possible-ask European and
American statesmen-to effect such ar
rangsments with a nebulous China?
Where is young Mr.. WI, son Of Tu Ting
Fang, OF the Canton government, whom
Pekin asked TO join the Chinese delega-
tlea as representatives Of South China, is
being asked. He has not come. He
scorned the honor Pekin offered him.
The South China junta in Washington is
Dining into the ears of all the delegates
that the Canton government will under no
circumstances feel itself bound by any
decisions taken here. There are rumoPs
that the Wong triumvirate has
made peace overtures to South China by
offering il the craftsmanship of the Wash
ington delegation. That report cannot be
verified. But the mere fact that it has
gained currency seems to indicate that
an uncertain and wholly incalculable sys-
TEN is crystaliZing.
SEEK TARIFF
INDEPENDENCE.
China's new eha-ter'' proposed last
week by DR.. Sze, and substantiated
broadly by the Root resolutions adopted
this week calls first Of all for tariff
autonomy for the Chinese people. China
demands the right TO enact SEE or e
Koo tariff law, just as the United States
passes an underwood or Fordney tariff
law. She demands the privilege OF col
lecting anything beyond the existing
per cent restricted rates that she
pleases. But here again the powers that
have vast trading in this China want
70 be shown" They want TO know in
particular about the institution called
the Li-Kin, or local taxation system. 1t
has not been made plain, conference
statesmen say that although China may
impose only per cent on foreign i'm
ports for revenue purposes. the Li-kin
organization requires in fact the pay
r.eat OF enormously higher and additional
taxes before foreign goods landed at
treaty port can reach destination in the
interior OF China. The Li-kin system
is described as & widespread net work OF
petty graft" Everybody with power
70 extort 1.-THE gatekeeper or q city
wall, the controller Of . canal lock the
guardian Of q highway crossing-sets up
Li-Ein collecting bureaus. They cannot
be passed without tribute, which is as
sessed arbitrarily and usually sticks in
the palms OF collector and his satellites.
Hsu-Shih-Chang, president Of China him
self has referred 10 the universally
execrated Li-Kin imposition" Has the
Chinese government the power to abolish
that system Of eItortion? IL 1t has, de-
clare those who PROFOUND the query, the
time then viii come when fhe powers that
trade with China can say whether or not
they are ready TO cooperate in reforming
the Chinese tariff and placing IL IN
restrictedly under Chinese control.
GUARANTEES
WANTED.
From whatever angle one approaches
measures OF relief for China, one sooner
or later bumps up against the question
Of the guarantees China can give regard
ing her internal stability. Capital can
only come from abroad in any useful
degree. Under the financial consortium
it can only be- obtained under interna-
tionaI control II it comes it viii demand
tangible and inviolabIe pledges Of secur-
ity. Is the delegation now at Washing
ton for China able TO hold out assurances,