Evening star., 1922-01-26
PARLEY STlRSNtW
SPIRIT IN CHINA.
Program Of Rehabilitation
Under Way as Direct Re-
suit of Session Here.
BY WILLIAM T. ELLIS.

What is happening In China itself
must be taken into account in any ap-
praisement Of the results Of the WASH
ington conference. The unprecedented
stimulus of the spirit Of nationalism
and Of widespread solicitude for the
country's welfare is caused directly by
the present meeting. In a broad sense.
Washington is helping China to help
herself. More than one corrupt Official
downfall to this arms parley.
According to the latest news received
here. there is now being put into effect
In China the program for the rehabilita-
tton Of the country that was first ex-
clusively announced In these dispatches
more than a month ago. 1t centers
around Gen. WI Pei-fu, to whom are
rallying the patriotic elements Of all
parts Esa Of China. His first lieutenant Is
Feng. with his army. The most potent
personality in the south China move-
ment. Gen. Chen Chung Min Of Can
ton. Is also in sympathy. II not already
In active cooperation, with Gen. WI
and his aims.
When the hour for decisive action for
the unification Of China finally arrives,
it will be found that Sun Vat Sen,
whose one successful role is that of
revolutionist. will have been left outside
of the reorganization. while his strong
associates in the south. such as Gen.
Chen. Tang Shoa VI, and even old DIR.
WI Ting Fang. will be in cooperation
with the Yangtze leader.
Farley Arouses China.
Rapknro ho to v1
alliances form the civil end of Gen.
Wu's plan. They have been awakened
as never before by revelations at
Washington to the seriousness of
their country's plight. For many
weeks past they have been exercising
orecting organization. 1t is estimated
tnat no military movement in China's
modern history has evoked such
strong civilian support as this of Gen.
Wu Pei-fu.
The latter's army. and it's theaten-
ed movement upon the capital seem
to have intimidated the pro-Japanese
party in Peking. Premier Liang this
week went on vacation" until after
the Chinese New Year: which is mere
face saving pidgin." as he is not
expected to return to office. An
American-t trained Chinese. a Chris
and political friend Of the delegation
hers, has succeeded to the premier
ship. ~
While prophecy IS a very unsafe
game to play with respect to China.
1t appears that the Mukden "strong
man." Gen. Chang Tso Lin. who NOV
and reorganized the cabinet, is los
ing out; and with him the Japanese
plans. which he is credited with repre-
senttng. 1t will be recalled that it
was after Chang Tso Lin's arrival in
Peking that the Japanese announced
settled there. and not in Washington
and for several days thereafter the
Chinese delegation here were as ufl-
easy as ducks on a hot griddle.
Reactl0naries Checked.
All sorts Of odds and ends of reac-
tionaries and pro-Japanese statesmen
returned to power in Peking with
Chang Tso Lin, among them the old
bandit general, Chang Hsun. who. in
1917. restored the emperor for a few
days, by means of his "pfg-tail army"
Gen. Nu Pei-fu seems to have driven
them all to cover again, SINCE his anti
Japanese movement appears to have de-
veloped irresistible strength through
out the country. :.
When and how the new national pro-
gram for China viii come into effect,
- O. oA, tChdihS u Uc SceIl. Inc
Washington conference has made clear
that China is not going to be wet
nursed to maturity in western civiliza-
ton: she must help herself in all
things essential.
1t has more than once been pointed
out that the development of China
along modern lines has been from the
bottom upward. whereas in Japan it
has been from the top downward. The
Chinese official class, broadly speaking,
is still reactionary and unreconstruct-
ed; the new life has come from the
students. who. as sons of merchants,
Christian converts. and other represen-
tative popular groups, have been sent
abroad for their training.
In Japan it was the samurai, or lead
ers. who first got the western wisdom
and ways, and then officially imposed
them upon the people.
So it is a broad and democratic.
albeit thin and patchy and rather
shaky, foundation upon which Gen. Wu
and his associates are now trying to
@ 6uiid up unified and modernized
Copyright. 1927