Evening star., 1925-06-09

they are told-and become wildly ex-
cited. Then foreigners cannot go
on the street in some places without
being stoned or mobbed.
Obeisance to the Panshen Lama.
Speaking of religion, there. has
been great deal sof interest mani
tested in the visit OF the Panshen
Lama. the Living Buddha of Thibet.
He has been royalty entertained in
Peking. every honor bestowed on
him. A joint mass meeting of all
religions was held, each one contrib
uting something in the way Of song
and prayer The Panshen Lama
spoke, and his remarks were trans
lated in three different languages. 1t
must have been an interesting occa-
sion, and no doubt the old man Will
return to Thibet rejoicing that all
the nations and religions have &C
knowledged his supremacy. The
Oriental mind is too often prone to
interpret politeness as obsequious-
ness, friendlineSS as fear, char-
ity as tribute. There were many
foreigners at this meeting. and 1t is
said that many pictures were taken,
so no doubt there will be personal
anecdotes published in the home pa
pers by Americans fortunate enough
to be among those present
Ups and Downs of Little Hsu.
While generalizing on the subtlety
of the Oriental mind it might be in
teresting to comment on the oddity
of the Occidental. In particular
case it is causing some mild amuse-
ment among foreigners in China. AT
the time of the battle of Shanghai
last October general named Lu
acknowledged defeat by deserting his
troops and fleeing to Japan. The
Chamber of Commerce Immediately
began negotiations with the victor by
default, Chi of Marking (now himself
a refugee in Japan, for the disarm'
ing and disbandment of the leaderless
soldiers, being sufficiently grateful for
the cessation of hostilities to supply
the money to send the men back home
to their different provinces. What was
their horror to learn that a well de-
veioped plot was on foot for a general
Known as Little Hsu" to gather
together all these armed men, sell
their services to the highest bidder
and start the fighting all over again.
AS the scheming had been conducted
within the borders of the settlement
where Little Hsu" was ''at large,
enjoying immunity from several man.
dates which had been issued ordering
his arrest as a troublemaker, the for
eign authorities were able to have him
detained and deported. He accepted
his fate philosophically and saved
his face" by sailing for Europe as
though that was what he had always
wanted to do. Then-lo, turn of the
wheel of fortune and his dear friend,
Tuan Chi-jui. became the temporary
chief executive. Immediately the
prominent Chinese who were influen-
tial in having him deported were
thrown out of office, his tourney"
was declared official and $50. 1000
awarded to him for expenses. This
was direct slap at the foreign pow
ers whose representatives had found
it necessary to restrain forcibly the
man always referred TO as "a notori-
Gus troublemaker." abusing the hos
pitality of the international Settle
ment of Shanghai at a crucial mo-
ment. 1t is the only deliberately
challenging thing that Tuan has done,
yet his action is understandable and
perhaps eXcuSable. on the ground of
his friendship for Hsu. But what can
you say for the foreign powers who
quickly turn about and receive this
man with all honors. even voting him
a decoration, as France is said to have
done? Is it policy, or ignorance? The
end Of this little comedy is yet to be
written, but it is highly probable that
before Hsu can return to his native
haunts to enjoy his imported prestige
a new party will be in power and he
will once more be a fugitive from jus.
tice in his own land, If the mandate
of 1922 is again in force.
Poor CHINA hotbed of wild ru.
mors and fears, a nest of intrigue
hatred and suspicion, graveyard OF
starving, tortured and betrayed peo
ple-what does tomorrow hold for
you9