San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1925-11-29
WAR THREATENS
To BREAK OUT
IN CHINA
Russians and Japanese Far
From Friendly; Open
Door in Danger.
By BRIG. GEN. REILLY
Far Eastern staff Correspondent. Uni
versal Service.

versal Service.
Copyright, 1925, by Universal Service
pEKING, Nov. 2S.-1nformation
have gathered from both Chinese and
foreign sources indicates strong
probability that another serious crisis
throughout China is approaching-a
crisis that may lead to a revival of
foreign spheres of influence and the
consequent abrogation Of the American
open door policy with an attendant i'm
pairment of China's growing trade
Indications even point to the posi-
bility of a second Russo-Japanese war.
Several weeks of painstaking inves-
tigation bring cumulative evidence to
Substantiate the above statements. In
portant personages in China are will
ing enough to talk about the delicate
situation. but they are extremely re-.
luctant to be quoted. This includes
Americas delegates to the Interna-
tional Customs Conference here, who
are non-committal for publication.
QUESTIONS DELICATE.
Americas leadership in the customs
conference together with the reluctance
of any power to accept responsibility
during the early stages of the discus
sion was about the only thing that
prevented the meeting from breaking
up. The question of granting China
customs autonomy was most difficult
one TO discuss.
Other delicate questions under con-
sideration by the conference and which
may lead TO an impasse are the dis
cusSiOn of a sufficient increase in
customs taxation 10 meet China's for
cign obligations and whether Chinese
or foreigners will do the collecting
and banking.
China complains she is entirely un-
able to operate with budget pos
sibly equal to that Of the city Of Wash
ington, ID. c., her delegates maintain
she needs 4 revenue sufficient to meet
foreign obligations, to maintain inter
nal order, and to complete badly need
ed public works. The total is con
sidcrably beyond what is at present
proposed.
INTELLECTUALS BUSY.
University students and professors
are renewing agitation 10 force the
| Chinese delegates TO the customs con-
ference TO insist upon the granting Of
China's maximum demand-either that
or to bolt the conference. The Chinese
intellectuals are ready ut the moments
notice To renew the anti-foreign boy
colt.
Regardless of the attitude Of the
| British government, large business m
tcTests in China are entirely opposed
to the Chinese demands. japanese del
cgates to the customs conference are
suggesting that perhaps granting of a
minimum increase would help the stu
/ atiOn.
However. some foreign observers
seem to think it would be less disad-
vantagcOus to foreign interests to have
the conference break up rather than to
yield to China's requests. Japan's po-
sition in the situation is made diff
cult because her political opponents are
using the entire affair TO gain power
| for themselves.
JAPAN is ACCUSED.
Many Britishers are strongly of the
opinion that the japanese made CAPT
tai Of the recent anti-foreign boycott
| ana dld their DcSC 10 undermine Dit
ish trade, which they themselves hoped
to capture later ON.
On the other hand, pro-Japanese in
sist that some British interests helped
to back the Yangtze armies in their
attack last gear upon Chang Tso-Lin.
the Manchurian war lord. The Ysngtze
armies. however. are continuing their
advance regardless of the recent peace
negotiations.
The entire situation is strengthening
the position of the Chinese faction
which maintains that it is to the best
interests of China to abrogate all
treaties and obtain all possible Russian
assistance to cOunterbalance Japanese
influence in the north and British in
fluenee in the Yangtze valley prov
inces.
There are constant reports of in
creasing Russian garrisons in China.
especially Mongolia, and of Russian
officers leading Monaghan troops.
Russian and Japanese rivalry in thc
exploitation of Menchuria already is
aputp