Evening star., 1921-12-03
INTERNAL AFFAIRS
OF CHINA CHAOTIC
Rev. LitteII Says Conditions
Fail to Warranting Drop
ping of Legal Control.

| Doubt as to the advisability of i'm
mediate abolition of extraterritorlai
rights in China Is expressed In an IN
terview on the far eastern question
by the Rev. S. Harrington Littell. who
has lived in China for the last twen-
ty-five years. At the same time Dr.
Littell has great hopes Of the resen-
Grafton of China as a result OF the
conference on limitation of arma-
ment. .....
1.-The results of the deliberations OF
the Washington conference to date"
said DR.. Littell, "are distinctly favor
able to China. The other nations no
doubt feel that they. too. are likely to
reap great benefits from this free ex-
change of views. But i think that
China stands in the position OF the
chief gamer by the conference.
Sees Opposition to Ten Points.
1.-THE four principles enunciated by
MIR. Root and accepted by eight of the
countries represented as a basis of
the intricate problems connected with
China have done a great deal to clear
the air. l have no thought that the
Chinese representation at Washing
ton imagineS for moment that IL
will secure all the changes laid down
on November 16 by DIR. Alfred SEE in
the ten points. Some of them VIII be
granted without much hesitation;
others will as quickly be dropped as
out of the range of practical politics
at this time. A few will receive seri-
Gus consideration and be granted in
part. such. for instance, as larger
freedom to China in regard to deter
mining her tariff regulations
Another matter of great interest
which will receive large considera-
tion is that of extraterritoriality,
In some features IL would be well If
the present status could be modified.
but in respect to the safety of the
rights of European and American cit
izens in China, there should be no
thought of placing them under legal
! control for two reasons:
Chinese Code unenforcable.
First, that the present chaotic con-
dition in China requires not less. but
more care on the part of foreign
governments to protect the rights of
their citizens: and secondly, because
the Chinese legal code, now under
going large revision to bring 1t into
possibility of being enforced: A spe-
cal arrangement by which justice ls
administered to European and Amer
lean residents in China will not be
SufQClent, even Wnen II Is SCI III
operation. What is wanted is an ac-
ceptance of justice and legal up
rightness throughout China as prin-
ciple, and that Chinese as well as
others shall receive justice In the
courts of the land. The administra-
tion of such a system may be long
time coming. but a partial applica-
tion of it, only to work in the case
Of foreigners. is a precarious solution
.Snealsinp from many wears resi-
dence in China. / can tell OF the great
hope which the Chinese feef for the
outcome of the present conference.
They look to it to solve the problems
of the country. externally and IN
ternally, and have suggested that
questions. not only of the present, but
Of the past and of the future Will
have consideration. IN tn this; s.,ucp OF
and we must rather look for sense
of disappointment in their minds as
they begin to realize that the con-
ference cannot undertake to MI such
pend on American friendship, so often
proved in the past in many ways. 70
champion such features OF their
| claims as are manifestly fair and
right.
Greatest Weakness Internal.
"Future territorial aggression from
ont side sources seems unlikely. Sym
pathetic assistance in internal De
velopments will not be wanting. But
china must realize that having the
assurance of the conference that she
may fear little from outside sources
her greatest weakness now IS m
ternal: that the disease IN her vitals
INST he treated drastically, that the
intesrity i1ts of China for which America
has stood must not be disrupted by
internal forces: that she must unite IN e
her varying factions and disband
Iaree section of the rabble armies
Which run riot through large areas
II have good hope, knowing, the
enormous recuperative powers OF f,1 tns
Chinese. that this conference Will
make such an impression on the peo-
nIe I.,H and give them SUCH confidence In
r.e freadnm from outside interference,
that they will attack earnestly ana ana
vigorously the conditions "lehih her
own borders"