The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1927-02-05
Canton, December 25, 1926.

Britain is rumored to have adopted new
policy toward China. This policy is supposed to
have been defined in the conversations at Hankow
between Mr. Miles Lampson, newly appointed Brit
sh Minister 10 Peking, and Mr.. Eugene Chen, Min
lister for Foreign Affairs of the Nationalist Gov
ernment It is supposed also to have been the detr
ment of the note sent by the British Charge dAf-
flares in Picking to the ministers of the powers
signatory to the Washington agreement.
Much attention has been given to this
alleged policy of Britain, in the Chinese and the
world press. Although no authoritative version
either Of the note the conversations has been
given out fairly complete summaries of the context
of the notes have been printed both here and in
England. These proposals and the conversations
at Hankow which reported to have been "cor-
dial" have been greeted in circles as indica-
tive of and better policy on the part OF
Britain
Comment has varied. Papers heretofore anti
nationalist in tone have welcomed the policy"
as a timely solution which will go far toward set
Ting the differences between China and the Powers.
The nationalist press, the other hand, has not
been ubilant. The contradictions between the as
sumptions made in the British press that 1T is now
the intention of London to recognize the Nationalist
Government within the limits of territory under its
control and the program reported to be proposed In
the note have been pointed out. In regard to the
conversations nationalist supporters assuming
the attitude of unconvinced spectators The London
government gave to Mr.. Lampson certain extra
ordinary powers for his meeting with the represen-
tatve of the Nationalist Government, but these
powers also seem to have extended to his dealings
with antnationalist military chiefs. He is reported
to have visited Sun Chuan-fang his way to Han
kow He called upon Marshal Chang Tso-Lin at
Tientsin, after LEAVING Hankow
In regard to the note, the nationalists not so
non-committa From reports both from Picking and
from England, it would seem that there is in that
note no mention of recognition of the Nationalist
government but only of willingness to permit the
Nationalist government well as Peking, to col
lect IL and per cent surtaxes. This has its
humorous side in the south, where the taxes al
ready being collected.
The Chinese press bitterly denounces this pro-
posal This policy the part of Britain assumes
the continuation of the enforcement of the unequal
treaties upon which the Washington agreement is
based it is pointed out. Further, the suggestion is
looked upon poorly disguised attempt to give
financial assistance to the anti-nationalist force
and still not appear partisan in the eyes of the
world.
Such proposal is entirely in conflict with the
nationalist policy it is pointed out and it is taken
for granted that the Foreign Minister at Hankow
made it clear to Mr.. Laupson that the government
is firmly committed to policy of achieving the
full nationalist aims which include the abolition
of unequal treaties and the abrogaton of all treaty
rights.
Another point is brought out in the nationalist
comment. These IL and per cent taxes are al
ready being collected in Kwangtung, and all ar
rangements have been made to collect them in the
rest of the territory under nationalist control This
has been done without consultation with the powers
Nationalist China would not, therefore, profit by
this new proposal although the anti-natonalists
would profit enormously Further, foreign banks
would profit. The collection of these taxes in the
south is being made through Chinese financial ma
chinery and not through the foreign banks in the
case of the customs Therefore, far national
list China is concerned the new plan would
nothing but the doubtful advantage Of the "sanc-
ton" of the powers, and the extremely dsadvan-
tageous transfer Of the collection of taxes from
Chinese to foreign hands.
There is much speculation in foreign as well as