The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED DAILY, Tuesday, January 18, 1927.

Gisborne Times, Volume LXV, Issue 10308, 18 January 1927, Page 4

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED DAILY, Tuesday, January 18, 1927.

THE CRUX OF THE CHINESE SITUATION. The situation in the Far East is not altogether clear at present. It certainly does seem, however, that Shanghai has become equally as grave a storm centre as Hankow. What is more there are some other features that stand out through the gloom. On the face of things, it would now appear that it would have been suicidal to have resisted the Nationalists at Hankow in view of the inadequacy of the British forces. Fault will, of course, continue to be levelled against the Home Government for not having heeded the warnings of the past. But, as usual, Britain has been relying on success attending pacific measures. If she had greatly strengthened her river forces and liad more effectively guarded her concession at Hankow weeks ago, trouble as serious as has occurred might never have eventuated. It is now plain such a step was left too late. On its part, Shanghai is, however, not likely to be evacuated, seeing that, in such an event, not only would British prestige, but also Western prestige, be shattered m the Fai East. In the circumstances, the decision not lb employ force at Han-, kow should be regarded as prudent. The present position of things cannot possibly continue. If the Nationalists refuse to restore the statu quo at Hankow, pending a full consideration of the matter of foreign interests in China, it will mean that they intend to proceed with their policy of insisting upon every foreign right being given up. Seemingly, the hesitancy tliat has, so far, been displayed by the Nationalists in connection with Shanghai favors the contention that the southern Chinese Government is now giving the matter more serious consideration. At any rate, the delay has enabled Britain if ml her Allies to concentrate heavy naval and substantial military forces in that quarter. The whole situation lias, unquestionably, to be viewed in the 'light of the general turmoil in restless China. What has weakened the northern official Government is that the Nationalists have promised to inaugurate drastic reforms,, including the establishment of some form of popular Government. Just how far this political movement lias impressed the central section of China is unknown, hut it is not open to dispute that Northern China is not deeply interested in political progress. China, for tlie piost part; is plainly awakening politically, and the difficulty is that ■ the Nationalists are making the mistake of placing their own advancement before the welfare of the nation. Any effort in the direction of the revision of the treaties with foreign nations .would the better have followed than preceded the movement to establish a Government which could speak for China as a '%hole; '"'V ‘ : v : ;