Evening star., 1921-11-18
CHINA MAKES PLEA
T0bELEFT ALONE
President and Premier of Re-
public Give Views to Lord
NorthcIiffe.
By the Associated Press.

PEKING, November 17.-China's
desire to manage her own affairs
without interference from other coun-
tries was voiced in interviews grant
ed today to Lord Northcline, noted
British publicist, by President Hsu
shih- and Premier -Chln yum
Peng. Both emphasized their na-
tion's need of money. and both llke-
wise asserted that China was solvent
and able to win her way tnroush
if given the opportunity. Premier
Chin declared that China was look
to give her tariff autonomy; The
president, who received Lord North
cliffe at his palace, said:
"The opening Of the Washington
conference has been marked by many
suggestions advocating foreign con-
would only cause further difficulties
and trouble. The Chinese people
should be allowed to solve their own
International problems. China's pres
ent troubles should be regarded by
foreigners not only as peculiar to
China. but as 'the natural step in
the evolution of the government es-
tablished when the monarchy was
overthrown, after having been en-
during for centuries. similar dlH-
eulties were experienced in France
after the revolution and England and
the United States also had long
period of serious unsettlement be-
fore stable administrations were
completed.
Fair Play Asked.
"China would like foreign nations
to regard the developments now pro-
ceeding with understanding and SYM
pathy. The interest of foreign pow
ers in China is chiefly commercial
and helpful criticism of China and a
determination on the part of the pow
ers to give her fair play would AID
materially in her commercial expan-
sion and create business opportuni-
ties of importance.
"china's present financial difficulties
are aggravated by the conditions
which have obtained since the termi-
nation of the war. During the wal
foreign buyers operated largely in
the Chinese market and were large
purchasers of Chinese products. Since
the war these purchases have mate
rally diminished, and China has not
yet been able to make up the de'
ficiency. She has not contracted any
foreign loans during the last three
years of any considerable amount
Also there has been no particular IN:
yestment here of foreign capital. and
this, coupled with the decrease IN
trade Of such staples as silk. tea and
the like, is responsible for little cap
"China is in financial difficulties, ou!
they are not insurmountable. and
steps are now being taken by the
government which Will enable the
country to return to its normal state
within a reasonable time, despite the
troubles between the north ana SCUM
These are expected to be adjusted In
due course. The central government
is prepared to accept any reasonable
terms to establish peace.
Some foreign newspapers haV'
pointed out that the differences be-
tween the north and south are no
difficulties between the people o.
those sections, but between person!
desiring to serve their own ends. ane
this view is correct. The people o.
China are sound. Only five province:
are aligned against the north and the!
are torn by sharp dissensions. Th'
central government is ready fol
peace, has striven for it. and will take
any opportunity to secure it."
In Need of Money.
Following his audience with the
president, Lord Northcliffe interviewed
the premier, who said:
"China wants money, and can offel
ample security. We have our customs
a surplus in the wine and tobacco
revenue. a railroad surplus and tn,
stamp tax. Balance sheets will soor
uc lSSueu SHo" iiS Jul SAaCt poSi'
ton. We are willing to discuss the
control of expenditures If it does not
interfere with China's sovereign
rights.
China expects. as q result of the
Washington conference, to get tarif
autonomy. At present we cannot in.
crease the tariff rates without con.
sulting the thirteen treaty powers We
cannot freely change our tariff al
every other nation in the world does
Nominally our tariff is per cent, but
actually we get but 81. Give us the
right to fix our tariff like other ma.
tions and we shall be able to helr
ourselves more.
IF we are left alone it will be bet.
ter for all concerned. We need none,
to disband our troops, whose pay il
many months in arrears. China is alb.
solutely solvent, despite the present
confusion of finance"