Evening star., 1927-05-02
u. S. CHINA POLICY
DETERS POWERS
Situation Declared to Hinge
on ParIeys in Toxic, Lon
don and Washington.
BY THOMAS r. WILLARD.


SHANGHAI, May 2.-The situation
continues obscure on all sides, without
any effective moves toward ending the
deadlock and starting to stabilize
either international or domestic af-
fairs in China. 1t appears now that
the immediate outcome of the inter-
national situation depends on confer
ences in Washington. London and
Toxic rather than on events in China
That probably is fortunate, as a
majority of diplomats and consular
agents in China and the municipal
officials in Shanghai are too closely
involved in events to make calm judg-
ments. The difficulty of Washington's S
deciding upon course of action is
greatly increased because of complete
divergence of the American Minister
and consuls of China with the present
attitude of President Coolidge and the
traditional policy of the United States.
Joint Action Urged.
1t is evident that Minister McMur-
ray at Peking and the United States
consuls at Shanghai, Hankow and
elsewhere are insistent in their urging
Washington to join the other powers
in strong punitive measures. These
measures would amount to occupation
of the entire valley Of the YangtZe
River, perhaps leading into broader
intervention.
Until this week the opinion of for
eign officials and of the populace was
that the powers would send an ulti-
matum with short time limit. Mill
%,,,. - .1.,,a1 l.,
was expected, but these hopes have
been dashed.
It is difficult to make the people
Of America understand the intensity
of feelings aroused here by these ques-
tions. The reluctance Of Washington
to partake in further military action
is thought to be deterring strong
action by other powers and again
blocks long-laid plans to impose for
eign control on China.
The leading British newspaper here
bitterly attacks the American policy.
implying betrayal of the interests of
other white nations. 1t blames SILLY
altruism'' and the exigencies Of
American domestic policy for the stop
ping of every rational plan for bring
ing about order in China.
Caustic Stories Printed.
This newspaper publishes even more
caustic stories from its correspondent
in Peking. IT advocates casting the
United tSates aside and banding Great
Britain. France and Italy to proceed
together The tenor of these criticisms
gives the impression that Washington
previously agreed to follow the first
Marking note with military action,
but now refuses. This latter charge
is very probably untrue, but the whole
matter shows the difficulty of trying
to carry out an American policy joint
ly with policies having other motives
and objectives.
Even extreme advocates OF inter
vention seem to realize that the
eventual position of Japan probably
will decide whether Intervention is
practical. TOXIC is believed to be
adverse to intervention for broad
reasons, and especially against q con-
cert of European powers presuming to
NEEDLE in the internal affairs of China.
Japan's presumed attitude would Be
logically due to fear that such med
ding would revive Europes diplomatic
hegemony in Eastern Asia.
On this issue Japan's policy is al
most identical with that of Washing
| ton, therefore Europe is trying to de-
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