The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-12-15
POOR OLD CHINA,

POOR OLD CHINA.
The delegates to the Washington
conference appear to Consider the
purpose for which they assembled as
having been accomplished but it must
be apparent to thoughtful observers
that the conference merely scratched
the surface of the Oriental problem.
The source of future trouble remains
where it has been for years, in China.
For a century China has been slow
ly changing under the impact of mod
ern, occidental civilization. Her ma
tional government has completely
collapsed. Her recent efforts to es-
tablish a new one, fitted to the new
age. have not yet succeeded. China s
national political life and institutions
are in ruins.
By the adoption in 1905 of the Oc-
cidental system of education, China
began to adapt herself to modern
world conditions. She is at least fifty
years behind Japan. This is why
China is a world problem. She is -ig-
norant and impotent. She is open to
the greed and cupidity of foreigners.
She cannot control them nor protect
herself. They accordingly have been
taking what they could and imposing
upon her all kinds of conditions and
restrictions, obtaining rights" CON
cessions" and settlements" and even
taking more or less control of her ter
ritory and her governmental admins
trative functions.
Each OF the expanding nations of
Europe has established intimate rela-
tons with China. These relations
have sol ,etimes been due to treaties
| honorably obtained. But too often
they have been secured as the result
| of aggressive traders, cunning diple-
macy subtle intrigue, bribery, threats
of war and even war. The rival world
policies of Russia, Great Britain and
France have had potent influences for
evil in China
China knows what she wants but
alone anC unaided she cannot get it.
At the Paris peace conference the
Chinese delegates formulated their
desires in the following seven impor-
tant particulars:
1. Spheres of influence and special
interests. THE powers are to declare
| that they neither possess nor claim"
any of these. and ARE ready to revise
all treaties, agreements, notes and
contracts establishing such"
=. Troops and police. "All foreign
troops and police on Chinese soil to
be Immediately withdrawn" especial
ly legation guards
8. Foreign postoffices, wireless sta
tions and telegraphs. "AlI the foreign
postoffices to be suppressed before
January l, 1921, and no telegrapIlic
installation to be established after
ward"
4. Consular jurisdiction. On China's
! PRONUNCIATION of five new codes by end
/ of 1924, and creating new tribunals,
| extra-territorial jurisdiction is to be
| abandoned.
/ IS. Leased territories. These are to
/ be restored to China"
] 6. Foreign municipal concessions.
/ All such are to be restored to China
| at the end of 1924"
z. Autonomy in respect of customs
| tariff. After a time to be agreed
| upor mutually, China is to have the
right to fix her own tariffs
Is there anything unfair or unrea-
sonable in these demands? Can self
respecting nations, DESTROYS of pro-
noting world peace, deny them? I'm
til the conditions of which China COM
plains have been removed she will
continue to be point of international
danger. What do the nations propose
no do about it? By Joining an alliance
of nations engaged in exploiting
China the United States cannot
avoid being regarded by the rest of
the world as, participating in their
guilt.