Evening star., 1923-09-02
JAPAN SEES RIFT
OF 9POWER PACT
Great Britain's Proposed In
ternationaI Control of Chi
nese Railroads Criticized.
BY JUNIUs ID. WOOD.


BY Wireless to The Star and ChicsSo Daily
News Copyright. 1923.
TOXIC. September 1.-Great Brit
aims proposed international control
or Chinese railroads is given leading
positions in Japanese newspapers, to-
sether with comments on Americas
reported approval Of the plan and
Japan's lack Of assent.
The political expert Of the Japan
cse-edited Japan Times says:
Already anti-British- spirit is man
ifest in different sections of China,
and is liable at any moment to de-
velop into an uncomfortable anti
foreign movement. Should such an
unhappy situation develop foreign
military Interference is inevitable"
the Toxic Chugai Shogyo says:
Ihe railway guard plan is mani
testify the first step toward interna-
tionaI control AFFECTING the national
existence of China. 1t is the bounden
duty of the signatories OF the nine
power treaty TO respect the spirit of
that document in the protection of
Chinas sovereignty. territorial and
administrative integrity"
Fears Uprising.
The Toxic Yomiuri says:
China at present is like a hysteri-
cal woman. and is liable to fly into
any extremity in her anti-foreign
madness under pressure of the pow
ers. Under present conditions, po-
licing that does not extend beyond
her railroad zones is as ineffective
as chasing flies Oft food. Interna-
tional control of railroads promises
to lead to control OF China's domestic
face Of the Washington treaties. such
interference in China's affairs is i'm
proper and irrational"
The Toxic Kokumin says:
Britain has always advocated in
ternational control of Chinese rail-
roads. After the Linching incident she
urged an allied naval demonstration
and an allied expedition of occupa-
tion. Hitherto America has refused
support. Foreign powers should not
allow themselves to be carried away.
through momentary resentment over
the Linching outrage, into adopting
an unreasonable scheme. Peace dis
turbance in China rests in the hands
of the Chinese. Any oppressive policy
against four hundred million people
will be in vain"
Calls Plan Moderate.
The conservative TOXIC Jill de-
clares:
China talks glibly. about infringe
ments on it's sovereignty and inter
ference with its domestic affairs.
failing 10 see that it's own present
chaotic condition is without shadow
of such sovereignty. The powers
plan is moderate. reconciliatory and
beneficent to China's true interests.
Whether 1t develops into ultimate in
ternational control Of China depends
upon China's own attitude"
The Washington conference radi-
cally changed sentiment in Japan
toward China and the Japanese peo-
yN1a far da6 n In FT0a F.F
the previous stern policy toward that
country and the adoption in it's stead
of a more conciliatory attitude. De-
spite aggravations in the recent re-
vival OF the anti-Japanese boycott,
Japan has been adhering to this new
policy. hoping that by refraining from
drastic measures, warning Chinese
factions could be harmoniZed. Japan
has believed that such conciliatory
policy followed the spirit as well as
the letter of the Washington con-
ference. Until Mr.. Gaimusho is con-
WINGED that foreign control of China's
railroads does not violate this same
spirit and letter of the Washington
treaties, he will not approve the British
plan.
Doubts Plans Value.
knowing oriental psychology some
what that official seriously doubts
the advisab bility of foreign officered
the foreign officers also would make
foreign powers responsible for the
safeguarding OF the railroads. Aside
from the possibilities of friction with
the numerous Chinese provincial
armies whenever the next bandit
hold-up occurs, China can disclaim re-
sponsibility and place it upon foreign
shoulders. Without foreign officers,
he points out, China must assume the
responsibility"
Reports from British semi official
sources are less guarded than the of
fetal document saying that the pro-
posed British superintendent OF Chi
nese railways was adopted owing TO
the firm attitude of the British repre-
sentative in Peking. The same sources
report that the Japanese minister in
Picking reserved decision, while the
American minister agreed TO the Brit
ish plan.
Explains Situation.
A British news agency explains
that the appointing of foreign officers
TO Chinese railroad pay rolls entails
the supervision of railroad finances
and eventually complete control oil
the railroads. The same agency points
out that with an Englishman appoint
ed as; supervisor OF railroad police,
and with Englishmen already at the
head of maritime and salt customs,
the British will be in satisfactory
control of all of China's national
revenues.
Obviously the future purchases of
millions of dollars worth of railroad
supplies also are in safe hands, while
il is extremely improbable that China
will ever succeed in owning her own
railroads.
The same British news agency Is
cabling interviews with Gen. c. ID.
Bruce, who presumably is slated for
the post of railroad police supervisor.
The pathway for foreign control of
China's railroads also Is being
smoothed by continuous daily cables
from London, ever since the Linching
hold-up, extolling the advisability. OF
reflected British official views, and
claimed that America approved them.
Though Washington officials have re-
mained silent. Americas actual ac-
ceptance of the British plan is the
greatest surprise the orient has re-