Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-11-19
BY WILLIAM RUFUS SCOTT.

Diplomatic circles in the Far East
will see in the appointment OF Nelson
T. johnson, Assistant Secretary OF State
to the post of Minister of the United
States to China q continuation under
Secretary StimSon Of the American pol
icy in that area Of the Pacific which
has been described as one OF "trad1-
tional friendship"
Since Mr.. johnson Is known to have
been influential under Secretary kellogg
in the critical days of 1927 in shaping
the specific application of this policy
his assignment now to Peiping empha-
sizes the desire of Washington to help
China to complete sovereignty as rap
idly as this can be achieved with rea-
sonable regard to the rights of Ameri-
can citizens and interests in China as
defined by treatv.
Secretary Kellogg showed his appre-
citation of Mr.. JohnSon's work in 1927
when the latter was chief of the divi-
sion of Far Eastern affairs in the De-
partment of State by elevating him to
an assistant secretaryship. A long pc
Rod of service In China had prepared
Mr.. johnson for his task then and now.
The recently resigned Minister, John
v. A. MacMurray, is rated as one of the
ablest men in the diplomatic service In
his knowledge of China, but it has been
no secret that at times Mr.. MacMurray
and the department have been in dis
agreement over the degree Of Sternness
with which the American policy toward
China should be applied. Mr.. Mac
Murray resigned during new crisis in
China. However, the history of that
nation since the monarchy was over
thrown in 1912 has been marked by
many crises, and more may be in pros
pect. So that, while Mr.. johnson will
take charge of our legation in Peiping
with grave problems to solve, he knows
his task well enough. to understand that
such situation may be expected by
any one sent to China.
The fact that President Hoover In
naming Mr.. johnson departed from the
general rule he has established of ap-
pointing business men to the higher
diplomatic posts is considered due to
the fact that as young engineer Presi-
dent Hoover lived in China, and sc
understands the country better than did
any previous President.
In no other country in the world is
an expert knowledge OF the character
istics and mental process Of the people
so essential to an envoy as in China
However able business man might be
In promoting the commercial interests
Of the two countries, he easily could
make blunderS in China that would far
outweigh such gains. The present civil
war in China makes this peculiarly q
time when expert handling Of the diplo-
matte relations of the United States In
China is vital.
That the existing Nationalist regime
in China would welcome Mr.. Johnson's
appointment was foregone conclusion
During 1927, when the regime was bat
Ting its way to success, the American
- rAa. nd
China a chance to work out its own
salvation when some other powers IA
vored vigorous intervention, or at least
more emphatic protective policy for
foreigners and their property in China
it was well known to the leaders OF the
Nationalist cause that Mr.. JohnSon'S
counsel for restraint was needed In
Washington.
No one can say with assurance that
the Nationalist regime as at present
directed and controlled will remain In
power in China. But that viii moi
affect Mr.. Johnson'S status as envoy
If the rebels ultimately obtain control
the problems might change or become
more acute, but here again the need OF
expert handling is all the more impera-
tive.
Outstanding among the issues Mr.
johnson must handle is the one Of
eXtraterritoriality. The latest note OF
| the United States to China repeats a
willingness to reach a satisfactory solu-
ton, while expecting safeguards fol
| American citizens who in the course OF
time will be tried in Chinese-createo
courts instead Of, as at present, ir
American consular courts. Whatever
final agreement, or lack Of agreement
may mark the negotiations, Mr.. john
son will have the advantage OF intimate
contact with the washington viewpoint