Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-07-26
Nationalist China Recognized.

Sixteen wears ago, when China, the
oldest of monarchies, became repun-
He the United states was the first to
extend recognition to the new regime.
Once again the American Government
has taken the lead in according &C
knowledgment to another new China.
Secretary kellogg, in note destined to
be historic, has notified the Nationalist
government. through the American Min
ister to China, that the United States is
ready to negotiate treaty with the
powers that have come to be at Peking.
There is mention in the Kellogg COM
n,unication only Of this country's pre-
pareiness TO discuss customs tarin
treaty, to supplant one Of the unequal"
treaties which, according to the Nation
alists. have hitherto subjected China to
the economic bondage of foreign pow
ers. But that is the merest detail OF
Americas action. What Secretary KEEL
logg has actually done is broadly to sig
nalize the United States recognition of
the new order Of things in Far Cathay.
He voices Americas belief that "a
new and unified China IS in process OF
emerging from the chaos OF civil war
and turmoil He emphasizes that the
good viii of the United States toward
China is proverbial" He declares, in
passage certain 10 evoke especially fer
vent response in all Chinese hearts. that
''we DO not believe In interference in
their internal affairs"
The understanding that Mr.. Kellogg's
note has been dispatched. for purposes
Of their information. to the eight pow
ers which joined with the United States
"a the nine-power pact signed at the
washington conference on Far Eastern
and Pacific affairs has an important
significance The note does not propose
concerted international action looking to
the recognition Of Nationalist China.
But the pioneer step the United States
has taken Is tantamount 20 that, It in
disputably gives us the right to claim
leadership IN the movement to give the
new China fair start IN the family Of
nations. Whether the primacy Of Amer
lea IN that direction Is acknowledged
abroad or not. the Chinese viii not be
unconscious Of It. They have tradition
ally looked upon the American Govern
ment and people as their true friends.
Events Of this week viii not fail to
strengthen that conviction.
1t win take more than one swallow Of
international recognition TO make Chi
nese Summer. Mr.. Kellogg refers to the
tremendous difficulties confronting the
Chinese nation" It may require years
10 eradicate them. China cannot be
envisaged IN Occidental terms. The
brilliant young men, Western educated
for the most part, who have raised Ma
tionalist China to her feet are the
csses in q vast desert Of Chinese IL
liseracy.
Public opinion. as we know It. can
hardly be said 70 exist In China. It
remains to be seen to what extent the
war lords, who have kept that unhappy
country impoverished and bathed In the
blood of civil strife since the revolution
which overthrow the Manchus in 1911,
can be suppressed China, on her own
part. must in particular have care
that foreign life and rights within her
vast domain shall not be in chronic
jeopardy. Patience with China, tn she
can evolve . modern civilization out Of
her nonarchtstic and more recent mill
tar1stie past must stu be the worlds
watchwoEo.
That thought stands out between the
lines OF Secretary Ksiloggs sympathetic
and trau-blaztng note-an event which
adds fresh Iuster TO the square-deal d.
picnaacy which has consistently distin-
guisaeG the United States attitude to-
ward China. Mr. Kellogg deserves his
countryS congratulations.