Evening star., 1928-06-10
BY WILLIAM RUFUS SCOTT.

Quick recognition Of the Nationalist
rtgime as the government of China, in
place of the ousted Peking faction, is
being urged on the United States on the
resumption that this would improve the
already high esteem in which the
Chinese people hold this country, but
the State Department is confronted
here as in the Russian situation. with
the practical necessity of safeguarding
American tTade and treaty rights In
dealing with the Nationalists
II the Nationalists propose to assume
the treaty obligations of China TO the
United states and to fulfill the general
international obligations which this
country expects of friendly nations, rec
ognition would be fairly easy move for
Washington. The first real test Of
Nationalist diplomacy will come over
this point.
One hopeful indication Of Nation
alist policy that will be acceptable to
the United States was furnished in the
settlement Of the outrages inflicted upon
Americans and destruction Of their
property at Marking, In March. 1927.
BY agreeing TO make compensation for
this incident the Nationalists set a
precedent which some observers expect
will be followed in other negotiations.
n \
Aside from the main question Of
recognition, yet involved with it, is the
intention of the Nationalists to try to
put into full effect the tariff autonomy
which the powers offered TO take effect
January l. 1929, or scarcely more than
working toward that date because Of q
resolution nAacAA af the ffnVa al
Tariff Conference held In Peking In
l925-1926, when the United States was
represented by Silas H. Strawn of Chi
cago. but which conference failed be-
cause OF the absence Of any central
government In China which could speak
Tor the nation or execute its promises
The resolution was as follows:
The contracting powers, other than
China, hereby recognize China's right
to enjoy tariff autonomy: agree to re-
move the tariff restrictions which are
contained in existing treaties between
themselves. respectively, and China, and
consent to the going into effect of the
Chinese national tariff law on January
/, 1929.
THE government Of the Republic Of
China declares that likin shall be abol-
ished simultaneously with the enforce
ment OF the Chinese national tariff
law, and further declares that the abo-
lltion of likin shall be effectively car
ried out by the first day Of the first
month OF the republic"
X e ~
The word "likin" mentioned in the
last paragraph refers to the system OF
internal taxation in China whereby
each province taxed commerce accord
ing to its own whins. This resulted in
heavy charges against commerce car
| ried on by foreigners In China and was
an endless bother as well, such as would
prevail in the United States If each OF
the 48 States exercised the right to tex
commerce crossing It's borders.
II will be observed that the foreign
powers made the granting of tarin au-
tonomy TO China conditional upor
China's abolition Of this vexatious and
burdensome internal taxation. Nov
| the Nationalists have not abolished
likin, and yet they propose by or before
| January 10 insist Upon exercising full
tariff autonomy, which would near
that they could impose any tariffs thej
| please on imports. II the Nationalist.
prior to January can worS what woulc
| be almost a n1iracle-that Is to say
abolish ths internal taxes-the powers
would be ready to accept national tarifl
autonomy.