Evening star., 1921-11-26
union T0PRESERVE
CHINA IS PREDICTED
Report That Chinese Have
Definite Plan for Internal
Reorganization Backed Up.
by WILLIAM r. ELLIS.

Considerable discussion has fol-
lowed the publication yesterday OF
the fact that China has a definite plan
American high in Chinese councils
declares that there is more of def.
niteness to the project than was an
nounced. In substance, this is the
view which he presents as being thai
of many of the most influential Chi.
nese in this country and in China:
Conditions in the political life -,
China are undoubtedly bad. Corrup.
ton and venality are widespread
among the officials. The very eX.
tremity of the situation has forced
the best class of Chinese to take
action. Therefore we have this move.
ment which you have made known to
the world. to the end that the repre-.
sentatives of the business and educa-
genuinely republican form of govern.
ment.
by the co-operation of the cham.
bers Of commerce, the bankers and
the men who have had western edu-
cation, which includes. of course, the
powerful returned student class. it is
possible to get together nation
all Of China and command the support
of the public. So powerful would be
the influence of a convention of the
sort indicated that it is altogether
likely that both the Pekfng and the
Canton governments would accept its
mandates and make way for its nomi.
nees.'
More than that is in the minds OF
these patriots, who are solicitous that
China shall save herself in this, pres
ent extremity. They are not counting
too much on the patriotism of the
corrupt officialdom of the presen,
officeholders. There is reason to be-
lieve that two Of the three most pow
erful generals, or tuchuns. in China
may surprise the world by combining
for the salvation Of united country
and offering their armies to a reor-
ganized government such as has been
indicated.
These big men" are Gen. WI Pei
fu Of Hankow, whose well drilled
well dressed and well fed army al
Hankow has rendered futile all
threats of Sun Vat Sen against the
north, and Gen. Chen Chung ming OF
Canton, who, significantly, has refused
to take the field for the southern
Christians. An alliance of these two
meh, especially since they would
doubtless be Joined by Gen. Feng and
can fight as we'll as pray-would
paralyze all possible armed opposition
to the reform Of China and render
futile even any Napoleonic ambitions
that may be entertained by Gen
Chang Tsoling Of Mukden.
An earnest example Of the efficiency
of the real Chinese patriots in coming
to the help of their whole country il
afforded by the group of Chinese
bankers who have lately made heavy
loans to the government upon con.
dition that they supervise the expedi.
ture. American representatives Of the
consortium say that the new part the
big Chinese bankers are playing IL
the most hopeful aspect of the fnan.
cial situation in China today. The
Chinese do not object to supervision
Of government expenditures-on the
contrary. the public welcomes it-but
they fear anything like internationa1
oversight or control; for by that route
in the past China has lost much OF
her sovereignty. Give the nation ar
adequate revenue and reasonable
measure Of protection against outside
aggression and she will show the
world that she is not the decrepit in.
stitution she Is credited with being
Such, at least, is the optimistic view
I now encounter.
Copyright. 1921