Evening star., 1927-05-23
INTERVENTION FEAR
IS FADING IN CHINA
Foreign Business, However,
Still Seeks to Bring Inter-
ference of Powers.
BY THOMAS F. MILLARD.

Vention temporarily dlVertS attention
from China's international relations
and again resolves the situation into
the seemingly perpetual grind among
Chinese political and military factions.
However, it is premature to dismiss
intervention as an important factor,
for it is likely to become lively issue
at any time.
Foreign business elements in China,
although for the time being defeated
in their attempt to bring about inter-
vention, do not intend to abandon
their efforts. They will carry on the
fight until they succeed or are con-
vinced it is hopeless.
This week a private meeting Of the
most important business men ap-
pointed a committee to procure funds
TO carry on organized educational
propa ganda in America and England
showing intervention is the only solu'
ton of China's problems.
Would Raise S1,OOO,0O0.
understand that at that meeting
S5O .OO0, 900 pounds of foreign invest
ments were represented, and that II
was planned to raise $1,0Oo,OOO TO
arouse public opinion in the nome
countries and secure protection 1or
those investments.
Regarding a recent statement that
British investments in emma tota,
more than 800, 600, 900 pounds IL shouiu
he understood that amount represents
capital stock, not ownership. Wniie
eyact figures are unobtainable, II Is
we'll known that the larger part OF
British corporations and other prop
ertv in China is really Chinese owned
Therefore, If all the so-called foreign
investments were wiped out. prOpaDly
three.fourths of the loss would 1al on
Chinese. ra-
ing American investments aitnous y
tho nroportion of Chinese ownership is
Iess The Americans entered the busi'
moss Of selling foreign corporate pro
lection TO the Chinese after the Brlt-
ish had pretty we'll cornered the mar
ket. ..;..,
This principle is true of all foreign
investments except the Japanese, VINO
actually finance q majority OF tnelr
commercial operations.
Threatened With Destruction.
The foreign position in this respect
ia based on the old treaty status anu
is threatened with destruction by the
nresent course of the Nationailst
movement. which those interests VIII
consequently resist to the utmost. Ihis
does not mean foreign investments are
not entitled to protection, but IL ih'
tended to expose misleading STATISTICS
which are being cited.
The latest developments in the po'
ltical and military situation cause
reversion to the Old'time diplomatic
reasoning. Speculation Is rife concern
ing possible support certain powers
NAV give to the different Chinese mill
tarists.
Rumors that Japan intends backing
Chang TSo Lin, the Manchurlan chlei
tain who holds Peking. are revived
1t is also said British f1nancla1 lhter'
ests in China purpose supporting WI
Pei Flu. Chang = old rival, against the
menace Of invasion by Feng 1u
Usiang. the former christian Gen
eral." now placed at the head OF the
Hankow Nationalist forces.
Rehfnd these familiar rumors are
reports about a secret agreement be-
tween the British and japanese gov
ernments for cooperation to check the
Chinese Nationalist movement towafo
the north and suppress Russian lnhu'
ence.
RumOrs Are Doubted.
I think these reports have little
foundation. They illustrate largely the
inability of most persons to figure the
Chinese situation except in terms OF
the old orientation.
In reality it seems the Japa nese are
ready to discard Chang Tso Lin. VINO
appears marooned in Peking, unanie
to return to Mukden and with no.
where else to go, Chang former pow
or in NIanchuria has been slipping for
some time. Conditions indicate Japan
is tired of his military adventures, on
which he has expended his own wealth
and for which he has drained the re-
sources of Manchuria. Japan is now
leaning toward a new regime in Man
churia. which may be headed by
Chang's son under Chinese and Japa'
nese advisers.
Chinese generally believe Chang
.Tso Lin fears to return to Mukden
because there Is there outstanding
500 .OO0. 900 Of unsecured paper money
which the people were forced TO take
and the proceeds spent on fruitless
military campaigns in the South.
All signs indicate Chang's authority
and prestige are definitely waning and
NAV collapse at any time, even at
Peking. where some observers expect
Feng Yu Hsiang TO reappear soon.
In that event the entire Northern fac
ton would break up completely,
Frequent Shifts Made.
Not much sense can he made from
the mass Of reports about Chinese
military movements. These present
the usual Kaleidoscope changes que
to frequent shifts OF allegiance by
generals who are on one side today
and on the other tomorrw.
II ia evident a cmplete shake-up 1S
going on throughout Middle ard
North China. with the outcome ancer-
tain. The general trend still seems
to favor the Nationalists. provlded
they manage to compose their inter-
nal quarrel.
There Is evidence much pressure
was brought to bear to reconcile
Chang Kai Shek with the Hankow
regime. Chinese reports say Mlchaei
Rorodin's visit to Kiukiang was pre-
ceded last week by visit OF several
Russians to Nanking, where they
talked with Chang and then went 10
Kiukiang to meet Borodin.
This late attitude of Russians con-
nccted with the Hankow regime was
prnha bly due to orders from MOSCOW,
where IL seems to be realized a perma'
nent split in the kuomintang may
undo RtIssia's work in China.
Reliable advices has It that Chang.
yvhile still strongly opposed to the