Evening star., 1927-04-12
"Studious Moderation. "

In the covering statement issued
ny the State Department regarding
the identic notes yesterday delivered
- the Cantonese government at Han
Low and to a representative of Gen
Chang Kai-shek. commander of the
Chinese NationaIsts, terms Of the
demands of the five powers for repa-
rations for the Nanking outrages are
styled 'studiously moderate" They
cover only the minimum Of what
would in the circumstances be done
by way of honorable amends by any
government conscious OF its own dig
nifty and It's duty to other friendly
peoples in the family Of nations"
These terms are, first, adequate
punishment Of the commanders of
the troops responsible for the out
the commander in chief of the Ma
tionalist army, including an express
written undertaking to refrain from
all forms of violence and agitation
against foreign lives and property,
and third, complete reparation for
personal injuries and material dam
age done. Failing compliance with
these demands, the governments
will find themselves compelled to
take such measures as they think
appropriate"
The moderation of the demands
lies in the alternative. There is no
specific threat of war, no indication
OF the measures which will be
adopted in case the demands are not
fully met, nor is there any suggestion
of concerted action. Each of the
signatory governments, the United
States. Great Britain, Japan, France
and Italy. is free to adopt its own
course and to pursue its own policy
Of punishment or reprisal.
While it is to be assumed that in
case of a refusal or failure by the
Cantonese government to meet these
demands, the five governments will
act in harmony IL not in direct unity,
the identic note just presented does
not constitute joint power ulti-
matum. 1t is doubtless due to the
refusal of the United States to en-
gage in such a program that the note
just presented is couched in these
terms of "studious moderation This
Government recognizes the danger OF
q Joint power campaign of militant
reprisal and punishment. 1t recog-
nizes further the fact that China is
in the throes of civil war and that
responsibility is not to be centered
upon a single political element. 1t
il sympathetic with the wishes OF
tae Chinese people to establish SOW
creignty of their own untrammeled
by foreign concessions and interven-
tions and privileges. 1t is not
partisan to any of the factions which
ere now struggling for control and
general domination.
Undoubtedly more viii be accom-
olished through moderation than
through drastic demands and specif1c
IATGdISs IlG CQNEAAAiE oN~NN~AAA~+-~
sued by this Government distinctly
sets forth that the demands are not
made in derogation Of the sovereignty
or dignity of the Chinese people
whom the interested governments
are glad to believe friendly and with
whom they earnestly desire to con-
tinue and improve relationships OF
good will and cooperation" These
demands, 1t is noted, are directed
rather toward "those influences, both
foreign and Chinese. which made
themselves responsible for the Nam
king outrages by their activities IN
seeking to break up the existing
friendship and to infame the Chinese
people to distrust, hate and violence
toward the people of the friendly
covers"
This is plain enough for all TO
understand, despite the studlous
federation of the demands.