The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1927-03-17
WHERE IT PAYS TO BE GOOD

The United States destroyer Preble on duty on
the Yangtze was struck three times by Chinese
shell fire, Shanghai cable to the United Press tells
u.s. and the Preble returned the fire.
Just flying spark to remind that we are
sitting on a smoldering volcano out yonder in the
Far East.
In China the old order and the new have come
to grips. The now on will not end until the
old is definitely abolished. The present disturbance
may calm down before there is any decisive result,
but any such calm will be only truce. Make no
mistake-the fight is fight to the finish
The old order is being defended by the northern
war lords It<represents graft, mediaevaism and
cushy life for the few who exploit the ignorance Of
the masses-often in connivance with, or as the
paid tools of the foreign powers.
The new order is sponsored by the southern Chi
nese whose capital is Canton. These are the most
progressive people in China, for the Cantonese have
long had fine habit of coming to the United States
Their inspiration comes from the late Dr. Sun Vat
Sen, the George Washington of the fowery republic,
much OF whose education gained in this country.
They fighting to China from the grip of the
foreign powers, but they are not anttforeign. For
aeigners welcome, but not as exploiters
So a-bitter is on between this young China
5and the old And in between the battle lines, to
Speak, weSand the other western powers have rushed
10 pFOsecL our interests.
Which, of course is as it should be- But if ever
a ere was tine when should watch step and
act go beyond protecting interests this is that
4 time
The Chinese have long regarded America as
their friend. When other powers seized Chinese ter
ritory for themselves refused to take advantage
Aof her weakness When the rest of the world seemed
Non the point of dismembering China did much
o prevent it by firm opposition to any such pro-
&cedure. We were the first country to return its
share in the Boxer indemnity that a fund might be
created to educate Chinese students in the United
States
Still and all it is not so much question of
possibly friendly acts may have done in the past
4 t is the present and the future that count A new
Heal is beginning in China. Old friendships are on
rial and friendships are in the making
"a When it is all over those countries which stood
by China most when she needed sympathetic under
standing, will become the Chnas traditional
Friends with all this may mean
So we must lean away back nowadays and re-
3nember that in a way we have butted in on family
quarrel and that if there is any shooting at ALL
some of the bullets bound to whizz mighty close
20 our ears. Another point must not forget is
S hat some of the powers active in China would
IN they could, to pull their chesnuts out of
he fire.
This is a time for caution. We should not al
ow possible stray bullet to stampede us into an
cticn we might later regret A wide-awake in
ustrious country of 40O0QO,OOO people in process Of
#nodernization will have buying power the like
ff which the world has never seen.
Therefore, if for no higher motive, we must tread
carefully if wish cash in on our share of this
tupendous trade.