Evening star., 1927-04-03
The Defenses at Shanghai.

An interview printed In The star
yesterday with Gen. Chang Kai-shek,
commander of the Nationalist army in
China, represents him as expressing
extreme regret at the maintenance by
foreign powers Of defensive military
measures in Shanghai for the protec-
ton of their nationals who are there
gathered as refugees. Such prepara-
tions, he says, are provocative OF
trouble, and are unnecessary. Any
demonstration Of force is futile and
harmful. Where the Nationalist forces
20 they undertake of their own accord,
says Chang, the full protection OF for
eign lives and property, "and If they
fail In this duty they will not shirk the
responsibility, but are quite ready to
make any amends necessary and give
full satisfaction
Were China in order generally, with
q single government maintaining 1t.
self throughout the country, such q
reasoning would be unanswerable. II
the point for which the Cantonese
government is contending, removal of
all foreign authority from Chinese ter
ritory and the yielding of all conces-
sions and extraterritorial rights. were
established there would be no demur
In principle to this statement. But IT
so happens that the foreign con-
cessions have not been terminated and
the other powers have established
rights and privileges in China which
they are in duty bound to pro.
fect so long as they exist. 1t may be
that in the readjustment of China s
Nationalist development these rights
and privileges win be ended. To terrni.
nate them at the demand of military
force might be a matter of expediency,
but It could not be justified save as a
surrender to a superior power.
So long as these concessions are
maintained the powers enjoying them
have the right to defend them and the
nationals gathered within the con-
cessions. They would be recreant in
duty if they failed to take suitable
precautions against mob violence or
military attack.
Chang sKai-shek may have, the best
Intentions In the world respecting the
protection OF the foreigners at Shang-
hal or elsewhere in the area covered
by HIS military authority. but as hap
pened at Nanking, he cannot guaran.
tee protection. He cannot insure the
safety Of the foreigners. who. In China
on legitimate errands, are caught in
the zone of warfare and exposed to
the fury of the fanatical people,
aroused by Russian propagandists.
In the matter OF the Marking out
rage. Chang Kai-shek says that If the
Nationalists are found to be to blame
they will give full satisfaction to the
injured parties and any reasonable
fndemnities which may be demanded.
But that Is not enough. What happen.
ed at Nanking may happen at Shang-
hal, and the maintenance of measures
Of military protection at the latter point
are not only justified, but are neces.
sary to prevent a tragedy for which
no adequate reparation could pos
sibiy be made.
The foreign concessions In China
may be wrong in principle. The United
States is not a party TO them and is IT.
self willing to go to the full extent in
clearing away the obstacles to a full
and complete government of China by
the Chinese. But It cannot stand by
and witness murderous attacks upon
American nationals while the process
Of settlement continues. and especial.
" when there is no government which
all recognize and which is competent
70 discharge its obligations.