Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-11-16
Wednesday, November is, 1921.
THE PROBLEM OF CHINA


The Conference cannot hope to es-
cape the problem of China. 1t is
even greater than the problem Of
Japan. A country teeming with an
Industrious population and marvel
cusly rich in resources tempts the
whole world with schemes of ex-
ploitation. Unfortunately and chiefly
because of its inability to govern it.
self 1t presents vast field strewn
with booty calculated to excite the
cupidity Of all having the power to
take.
Jap'.n's location, her knowledge of
the Asiatic, her land hunger afford
her great advantages and offer spe-
cial inducements. Aside from moral
obligations other nations are impelled
by the conditions not only to recog-
nize the situation but to deal with
it righteously. China dominated and
exploited by Japan, would make of
the so-called yellow peril a grim
reality.
China, today is governed made
quately by factions. Feudal lords
reign in their small dominions. Of
fetal graft prevails everywhere
among this people, who in their COM
mercial relations are regarded hon
est. There is really no government
with which other governments may
deal. These conditions are recog-
nzed by the leaders of the Chinese
business world. They are attempting
to secure some co-ordinated regime
which will put the country on its feet
and give it chance, which it now
does not possess, for preserving the
integrity of their country.
The Chinese students in American
colleges have issued a statement out
lining what they regard a just settle
merit of the far eastern questions and
addressed to the Conference. In this
it is charged that other nations have
pursued an imperialistic policy
toward China and have wrung from
her unjust concessions. The 81 de-
mands of Japan, made in 1915 are
cited, also the seizure of Shantuns.
and it is urged that the former
should he abrogated and the latter
restored.
All alliances and agreements of the
nature of the Anglo japanese ALI
ance and the lansing -Ishii agree
ment are denounced and with regard
to foreign financial assistance the
statement urges that 1t should be
ION a cooperative and business basis
and foreign commercial activities in
China should be for mutual benefit
On the one hand, they should strictly
respect the sovereign rights of China
without hampering her free develop
ment, and on the other, provide and
effect equal opportunity for legiti-
mate business enterprises of all
friendly nations in China. Treaties,
conventions and agreements, formal
or informal, either between china
and the other nations, or between one
foreign country and another, which
creates the so-caled spheres of in
fiuence or interest, monopolistic con-
cessions, or preferential and exclu-
sive economic privileges, should all
be denounced"
The claim is made that China has
'the right of every sovereign nation
to work out her own destiny, free
from any outside interference" which
sounds we'll but unfortunately there
is no sovereign government to which
the world may turn. The conclusion
that only when political stability is
achieved through the efforts of her
own people will China be able to car
ny forward the industrial revolution
which will need foreign capital and
foreign expert SERVICE" also reads
we'll but the facts are that China to-
DAY gives no promise that her people
ever will be able to do that. Indeed
it is the conviction Of apparently dis
interested observers that they can
not hope to do this unless the strong
err peoples fit them to do it and up
hold them in the undertaking.
How may this be done? May the
United States, which Is deeply in
terested in the solution Of the prob
lem. properly participate with foreign
countries, England and Japan, in this
very important undertaking: or to
put it another way how can she avoid
giving her assistance to clean up a
plague spot which threatens the
peace of the world?
The number of holidays widely IL
rot nationally ohServed Ia gradually