Evening star., 1927-05-09

in possession of bandits and other
persons. Disarming the Fnipinos
after the rebellion in their islands
took several years. That was simple
compared with such work in China.
A leading Chinese newspa per
analyzes those arguments of the Brit
ishers and says they are tantamount
to proposing to make China another
India or Egypt. The editor remarks
that the Chinese have suspected this
was Britain's design ever since Brit
ish troops were sent here. This in
cessant insistence on intervention
keeps alive the suspicion of the Chi
nese and prevents lessening of the
tension and progress toward a solu-
tion of the present difficulties.
Coolidge Appears Justified.
President Coolidge's reported stand
against another Nanking note seems
justified by further light on that Incl
dent. Since going to Marking, Gen.
Chang kai Shek has arrested hun.
dreds of persons suspected of taking
part in the outrages, but the investi-
CATION so far has failed to locate the
leaders. There is fairly definite evil
dence that the principal agents of the
Communist party from Hankow, who
organized the attacks. left Nanking
soon thereafter. Resuming ordinary
dress, some went to Hankow, where
they vanished. Several are reported
to have come to Shanghai and then
scattered to various places, some
going abroad.
1t is believed now that all the prin-
cipal .culprits are out of reach of
punishment by Chang, that he is
unable to arrest them and could
not comply with an ultimatum de-
manding such action. Also, if an ul-
tlmatum is presented. the Hankow
regime can claim now that it has
not the authority in Marking where
the attacks were committed; and cam
not investigate there. Therefore. the
sending of another and more drastic
note is not likely to he fruitful unless
the Powers previously decide to uti-
lize the inevitable failure to comply
as a reason for applying sanctions
leading to interventions
Realizing the force of these cir
CumStances. foreigners here protest,
against delay. knowing the chance Of
anything effective being done They
blame America for causing a dead
lock. The foreign press here laments
the impasse, saying that the Chinese
Powers. But actually the Powers are
divided by divergence of interests
and policies which were never more
plain than now.
Policy Showing Results.
Already the waiting policy is show
ing results in Hankow, where the
Marking incident alarmed extremists.
even Borodip advising caution. Last
week there was a marked change in
den1eanor of the Chinese rough ele-
ments. especially the laborites and
coolies, who resumed their former
civiity to foreigners They stopped
eXtortions to some extent, thus in
dicating, in the view of many ohserv-
ers. that Hankow officials are able to
control the masses when such con-
troll is needed.
1t is thought the business depres-
sion in .Hankow is causing much
misery in the poorer classes. This
turns popular sentiment against the
Communist regime, which, moreover.
is now menaced by the military ad-
vance of the Northern armies along
the Peking- -Hankow railway and by
Chang's coming from the east.
A decisive military outcome is not
likely to occur soon. Both the
Northern and Chang's troops are
short of-nlunitions and supplies, while
the forces under the Hanlsow regime
are worse off. Many foeign oiiserys
ers believe the latter will collapse
soon. The British may yet take over
their concessions there again until a
government is created in middle
China that is able to assure order and
to protect foreign life and property.
A story has come from Chinese
sources of two Communist agents
who were sent to Marking to prepare
and organize the attacks there, and
who were executed secretly after re-
turning to Hankow because their
superiors feared they would turn in
formers and expose higher plotters.
t. S. C0nsuIs Instructed.
/ understand that American con-
sular agents have been instructed to
desist from activities and attitudes
likely to commit Washington in any
way with the acts of the Shanghai
Municipal Council. Naval forces also
have been warned to exercise care
and avoid friction with the Chinese.
Shooting between the Chinese lands.
men and foreign vessels along the
Yangtze River is lessening, which is
appearance of the naval power, and
partly to orders from Chinese com.
manders wanting to avoid serious col
lisions at this critical time. 1t seems
impossible, however, to control the
numerous puerrilla bands, composed of
stragglers from the various armies.
who take advantage of every chance
to fire on foreign merchant vessels.
especially at night
The Chinese press empha sizes the
summary executions of Chinese ar.
rested in the raid on the Russian EN-.
bassy in Peking, intimating that GER
tain foreign powers urged severe pun
ishment. That probably caused the
British government to deny complicity.
Chang seems to be making some
progress toward organizing a govern
ment at Nanking. c. C.. WI, who was
offered the foreign ministry, is going
TO Marking. Other members Of the
right center of the Kuomintang also
are going. Whittier the cabinet is
formed depends on conferences with
Chang and the financial support from
stable Chinese elements.
Shanghai Now Tranquil.
Chang's delay in forming the
cabinet is probably because he prefers
to wait until able men are willing to
join, instead of appointing non
entities. 1t is not unlikely that the.
present impasse of the Chinese mill.
tary and political situation will con.
tinue for some time unless the
Hankow regime suddenly breaks up.
Chinese leaders are beginning to
think the danger of intervention is
averted for the time being, leaving
them free to work out their internal
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