Evening star., 1928-05-16

What will be the attitude of other
powers If the recent clash between SOL
diers Of the victorious Nationalist army
of China and the soldiers sent TO sliard
japanese and their property in Shan
tung develops into war between China
and Japan?
Because It Is q Signatory of the So
called nine-power treaty OF 1922" the
Detroit Free Press points out, the United
States is interested in any eventuality
resulting from the Sino-Japanese situa-
tion. Under that treaty. the Free
Press explains ''the powers agreed.
among other things. to respect the SOW
ereignty. the independence and the ter
ritoriai and administrative integrity Of
China. and to maintain the principle Of
equal opportunity for the commerce and
industry of all nations in China" The
State Department, it Is pointed out,
has indicated that the United States
can act as mediator between the Japa-
nese and the Nationalists only in case il
is invited to do so by both sides. But
whether 1t may be obliged eventually
10 act III concert with the other sigma
tories of the nine-power treaty and sit
in judgment on the conduct oE Japan.
either to uphold or condemn 1t, Is
different nattera
war. which might easily spread to in
volve the entire Orient. is not one upon
which this country can look With eQua-
nimity." declares the Waterbury Repuo-
lican. since. las the one powerful Nation
which has no concessions in China ana
which can therefore approach the Situa-
ton in q spirit of detachment. We are
ideally suited for the part of mediator"
Noting that "the NationaliSts talk Of
League intervention or American media
tion as possible ways out, the philadel-
phia Evening Bulletin remarks that
outside OF formal mediation there
might, of course. be q chance for the
use OF good offices by this country in the
way Of friendly advice" and finds II
Interesting that at this particular time
Rear Admiral Bristol most taetful
diplomat. as well as most able naval
officer, should be in Japan. the recipient
OF marked honor from both court and
government"
"The world cannot fail to feel deep
concern over what is happening in
China. II is fraught with danger To
peace and the infiluation of the Chinese
people with Russian Communism says
the Springfield Illinois State Journal,
while the Cleveland Plain Dealer de-
clareS that with actual Iighting in
progress and further mobilization under
way, the most serious Chinese situation
since the Boxer uprlsingS appears at
hand"
IL Is the opinion of the Little Rock
Arkansas Democrat that "the situation
assumes a gravity which Is certain 10
attract the serious attention Of the re-
naming great powers" The Relolt
Daily News considers that lit sSStime
tor the other powers To exert their best
coneiliatory efforts"
IL the powers lind II necessary to
intervene, llSt treatment Will be ac-
corded, IN the belief OF the Charleston
Daily Mail, which points ont that there
has come into existence among she
great powers IN their dealings with
China and the Chinese a tolerance un-
known not ~ many Years a9u. once it
was the practice 10 welcome any excuse
ior the grabbing at territory" recalls
this paper, but no lOnger II this the
ease Establishment Of a stable governs
ment In China WOULD be welcomed bv
the world ut larae. and there apparently
Ii latent universal desire to eosapsEate
With and assist the Chinese III further |
ing their national welfare. enae they
have arrived at the point where this can
he done through the ordinary channels
at government But untI there iS MI
unified government in China command.
Ing popular support orderly outside as
sislance viii be impossible,
win the present enfhrollment With
Japan provide the impetus tor this unit
tIeations On this point the Savannah
M0snlAa News ttmatkNs III the en-
trance 0f Japan even In a ilNhslng
pose ahuuld brine the north Ana tle
aunth III Chlna 10 their senses, 81 that
after the scare they would listen to Ywa~
son and set together AZ a united natsalA,