Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-03-30
us. WARONCH|NA
FEARS D|SPELLED
Protective Measures Must Be
Regarded Solely as Such,
President Indicates.
BIN DAVID LAWRENCE.

If the world generally has any idea
that the United States intends to join
with any other power in making
war" on China, such an impression
now can be dispelled. For President
Coolidge has taken the initiative in
indicating that the protective meas
ures taken by American forces in
the Far East are to be regarded
solely as such. In other words, If
the Chinese should continue their
guerilla warfare against Americans,
the latter will be withdrawn COM
pletely from China rather than to in
sist upon the right to occupy Chinese
territory.
The broad hint which came from
the White House to the effect that
the forces of the United States would
not be merged under a unified COM
mand was offset to some extent by
the statement that American troops
would operate alongside foreign
troops extending the. necessary CO.
operation which an allied unit should
give.
Restraint to BE Exercised.
The significant distinction has been
made by the White House that the
Chinese forces are regarded in the
same category as an "unorganiZed
mob" In international law, whenever
foreigners are attacked redress is
usually sought from the central gov
eminent, but where civil war exists
the responsibilities of the latter are to
a certain extent diminished IL for
eigners continue to reside in danger
zones.
The United States is anxious to ex-
ercise every restraint possible so that
the Chinese will not be afforded any
additional provocations. 1t is recog-
niZed, for instance, that the lombard.
ment of Marking, in which many Chi
nese were killed, will not soon be for
gotten. Already the newspapers of
Soviet Russia are accusing the United
States of joining hands with British
Imperialism" and the bombardment
of Marking is characterized as partici
patton in war.
The Japanese government is adopt
ing a course similar to that of the
United States, preferring to reduce to
a minimum the use of force and
hoping by diplomacy to persuade the
Cantonese generals that they should
give all foreigners the necessary pro-
lection. 4
The incident at Marking has, how
ever, served as notice to the Chinese
generals that unless they control their
troops foreign forces viii undertake
at all times to prevent outrages.
There are no signs, however. that the
British policy will undergo any
change, and this IL the crux OF the
situation. For until there Is peace
between the Chinese leaders and the
British 1t is felt here that all Tor.
eigners will be In danger.
British Anxious to Treat.
The British foreign office.is as anx-
ious as the Department OF state to
enter into some negotiation with the
Chinese leaders. but desires, first of
all, that some evidence of the capac-
ity OF the Chinese chieftains to con-
troll their men be given.
In fact, the whole argument against
the abandonment of extraterritorial
rights has been that the Chinese
should furnish demonstration Of
their capacity to protect the lives and
property Of foreigners and to- admin
lister Justice In the courts. The Nam
king episode has dampened the ardor
of those who believed the Chinese
were ready to undertake the task In
lieu of extraterritorial rights.
The exchanges between Toxic, Lon.
don and Washington are numerous
these days in the hope that diplomacy
may vet succeed in providing a formu-
Ia which will satisfy the Chinese gen.
erals, though there lis fear that what
already has been done in Marking VIII
lead to other outbreaks.
Copyright. 1927