Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-02-23
BACKGROUND OF EVENTS
BY PAUL Y. COLLINS.

Chang Tso-lin, the dictator of Man,
churia, in rebellion against Gen. Feng
and the Picking federal government OF
China, again threatens to Secede from
the Chinese Republic and cause Man
churia to set up an Independent gov
eminent. This is understood to have
the support of Japan against the Rus.
sian Soviet support Of Gen. Feng.
The main point of interest to Occi.
dentals is the question as to what ef'
feet the developments in the Orient
will have upon Western trade and
commerce. No movement in the
Oriental wars is at all threatening to
the peace of the Occident, unless it in.
volve war between Japan and Russia
which is a most remote possibility
since neither country is financially
nor politically in position to invite
war. The war in China is strictly a
civil conflict between provinces, or
more exactly between rival tuchuns
dictate terms to the federal govern
ment for their own ambitions.
X \ 4
The powers have at last conceded to
the central government of China full
independence in fixing her own tariffs
although that regime does not be-
come eCllSS utllll 1cEc
With that increase of revenue which
will come to the federal government
China agrees to abolish 'likin"-the
tariff on interstate commerce-so the
entire Industrial and commercial sit
uation will be revolutiontZed. China
will become more prosperous through
its protection Of Infant industries,
as argued by her protectionists. but
what will be the effect upon the man
ufacturers from foreign lands who
have invested capital there and EN-
ployed millions of laborers and skilled
producers, because wages were lower
than elsewhere and the products sc
produced had an advantage In the ex
port markets?
The new situation opens the whole
question of readjustment. There art
advocates who contend that thougf
wages will rise, and may handlcaI
present exports, yet the 100000. 00t
consumers within China will constt
tute a more prosperous market, anc
consequently the lessening OF exports
will be more than offset by the su
periority of the domestic market. The
abolition of interstate tarin Will ale
in encouraging home commerce, anc
the increased local prosperity VIII pro
duce other sources taxable Tor the
support of the provincial govern
ments.
Within the last few days, England
has sent a special commission tt
China. ostensibly to confer about the
best disposition to be made OF the un
collected balance due her from the
agreed reparations for the Boxer re
bellion, and incidentally to take evil
dence there in reference to other
matters"
In former times, the kind of injuries
which England has sustained IN CHINA
within the last few months through
the anti.foreign outbreaks would nave
been answered with seizure or more
territory and further demands Tor rep
arattons. But in these piping times
Of peace" especially under the obi
cations of the Washington d1sarma
ment agreement, England IS pouho
to avoid individual action against
China, hence. as stated by the Lon
don Times, "a policy of coercion or re-
prisals was, and Is, out of the Ques
ton"
Great Britain inks the limitations
put upon her by the 1922 conference
Of washington concerning China, II
view of her recent wrongs there, bu'
Ia disposed to respect the restraint
She welcomes the opportunity 10 orlne
some pressure to bear through the No
adjustment Of the Boxer PREPARATIONS
funds. ito the mutual advantage OF
China and Great Britain" The Times
suggests that "the discussion Of the
question on the spot by a representa-
tive British delegation will mean the
establishment Of an unusual form OF
diplomatic contact" It IL proposed to
use the Boxer balance for education
Of Chinese youth. just as our own bal
Ruce was applied years ago.