Evening star., 1926-11-13

Watchman, what of the night! is
it we'll with the world?
There appears to be World-Wlde
effort toward a realignment of nations
and commerce, such as has not
existed In past history. The most
sensational of the alleged movements
lies in Asia. where the naIions are
undertaking to form themselves INTO
an "Asiatic League of Nations. with
the avowed purpose OF throwing OH
Western domination.
This includes Turkey, Persia ana
China and Russia, but there is no
confirmation Of the claim that 1t also
includes Japan, the only one among
the oriental nations which may claim
anv degree of modern civilization.
Russia. is interested because she COW
ers Siberia within her domain, and
Soviet Russia has sworn to bring
about a world revolution which Will
overturn all organized governments.
| The proposed league of Asiatic nations
would be one Of the disturbing fea-
lures on which the SOviets would hope
for aiding toward universal unrest
and world revolution.
X 4 X X
News came to the State Department
last Thursday that China had begun
the collecting of an increased import
duty amounting to 212 per cent on
all imports and per cent additional
on Injuries, which is the rate pro-
posed by the recent tariff conference.
at Peking, of the treaty nations, but
which China had indicated was not
enough to balance her budget; China
intimated at the conference that she
dan1a nded autonomy and would make
import tariffs 20 and 80 per cent, In
place of 21b and 5 per cent. The rate
is not considered so significant as the
fact that China central government,
in the face of her alleged poWerleSs-
ness to govern her own people, mas
the hardihood to defy the treaty
nations and set up her own national
rights. She has already denounced
her treaty with Belgium and has re-
fused to make new treaty except
upon her own terms as above lnol-
Gated. That denunciation Is taken
as an indication of her policy with
other nations as treaties expire.
What is behind Chinas new brav-
cry? Is it the pledge of Soviet back
ing, or of the foreshadowed "Asiatic
League of Nations" which proposes
Asia for the Asiatics'?
X x *
The imperial conference of the
premiers of all units of the British
Empire continues in London win
added interest, day by day, and the
fact that the premiers are talking,
not as subordinate subjects or an
F,mDeror. but as leaders in distinct
and almost independent countries
merely bound together as Brltlsh
league of nations itself, stands out
in strong contrast with conditions OF
the empire and its colonies in past
decades.
The premiers do not stop in the
anteroom of Great Britain's secretary
for colonies, asking what favors are
to be hoped for, but instead they
are in the empires capital to con,
fer among themselves as to What
the aggregation of Dominions Will
tell the central government of the
course to pursue for the harmony
and upbuilding of the union of com
monwealthS.
What a change is that from the old
colonial administrations! What ap
pears of astounding significance is
| the continual reference of the pre-
| miers of the respective Dominions to
| the 'if," as to whether the Dominions
will remain in the empire or break
away and become independent ma
tions. 1t is a much mooted question
X X
For illustration of this question
| take the opening speech of Gen. Hert
zog, premier OF South Africa, in
| which he frankly said that in South
Africa the sentiment Is that remain
| ing within the empire must depend
' llnon "W hather she fSouth Africal car