Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-02-07
j. S. MORAL FORCE
WEAPON IN CHINA
Policy Preliminary to Physical
Action if Needed to Pro-
teCt Lives.
BY DAVID LAWRENCE.

The United States is relying on
moral force, while Great Britain is
preparing if necessary to use physi
cal force to protect the lives and
properties of foreigners in Shanghai.
Which of these two theories will
be successful in persuading the rival
generals to do their fighting outside
a neutral zone depends on whether
the Chinese think the diplomacy of
President Coolidge and Secretary Kel-
logg can influence Great Britain,
France, Japan and foreign govern
ments generally or whether the
United States is alone in her desire
to recognize the aspiration of the
Chinese to eliminate extraterritorial
rights.
If any foreign power has tradition
ally been friendly to China, has failed
to exploit China by seizing territory
as reprisal, and has at the same time
encouraged the development of re-
publican form of government, that
country is the United States.
Leadership i'm Parleys.
Other governments have a record
of more or less selfish interest in
China This makes the United States
the natural leader in the parleys be-
tween China and the outside world.
Mr.. Coolidge did not order large ex-
pedition Of troops as did Great Britain,
though he held a small number of
Marines ready to assist in protecting
American lives if the emergency
should develop
The climax of the American policy
has come in the appeal to the Chi
20 ,r.,1 hot
neutral zone. This means, of
course, that the United States Is
speaking for the British, French,
Japanese and in fact all foreign resi-
dents of the city. II the Chinese
leaders feel that the United States
will actively support the Chinese de-
mand for an immediate abandonment
of extraterritorial rights, they will
bow to moral force. If they think
the American proposal is a gesture
to gain time for the outside govern
ments to bring their military forces
to far-off China they will go ahead.
Fortunately there are among the
Chinese leaders many who are ia
miliar with American good will and
what it means. They will not be
/ quick to ALLEVIATE American SYM
pathy and possible American aid in
a reorganization some day of Chinese
finances. Ii eXtrdterrltOfldI TlBnIS
are eliminated, friction will be re-
duced when the outside governments
are sympathetic instead of un-
friendly.
Common Sense Plea.
The decision of the United States
Government to appeal to the common
sense of the Chinese leaders is a natu-
raj preliminary, on the other hand, to
anv measures of physical force that
NAV become necessary. Having stated
the case so that American public
opinion may be thoroughly informed,
the American Government will feel
s1nnorted if it becomes vital that
| American forces be landed alongside
the British to begin large sized mill
tarv operation for the defense of
Shanghai.
The lives of more than 10000 for
aigners are at stake, and 1T is criti-
cal moment for American influence in
the Far East. Should the American
nolicv succeed where the British
nolicy has failed the role of the United
States as mediator will be correspond
| inglv more important. In other words,
the United States will feel obliged to
/ act for China in lining up the other
powers on a practical substitute for
extraterritoriality
/ Copyright. 1927