Former associations with Shang-bai ana widely known works on tne social and political lite of nina add interest to the present visit of Mir. J. U. ¥. bland, who is making a brief stay here. conversation with a representative of the "North China Daily News" on Tuesday he was good enough to explain the object of his revisiting the Far Kast, and incidentaly, to make a few suggestive observations en the present state of affairs, During the war, various considerations necessitated a strict press censorship in relation to the affairs of the Far East, the result being that both the British and Amer: ican public were left very much in the dark and entirely without guidance. Believing, as Mr. Bland does, that, if China is to be saved from dissolution, it essential that conditions which have arisen since 1914 should be clearly understood abroad, he has undertaken an inquiry as complete as is possible in the circumstances, and thoroughly _impartial. He has been retained by "The Times," and two American newspapers, and has in view the publication of a book which ma enter fully, and certainly frankly into some outstanding social ant political phases of the time, both in China and Japan. Beyond the work for the papers he represents, Mr. Bland owes no duty to anyone, nor has he any political object to serve, so that his views have the interest of being absolutely unbiassed and the frankness of one who is an old and devoted friend of China.
Tue Want oF Consrrvuction.
Mr. Bland was not very enthusiastic over the constructive value of the Young China movement, or of "modernism"? generally as at present manifested in various so-called national activities.
"It seems to me," he observed, "that Western educated, modern' China is taking up a fine which would only be justified if they had shown, since the Revolution, anywhere and at any time, a capacity for organized, constructive work, particularly for honest administra. tion. Looking back on the course of affairs during the last ten years, I do not think anybody, however sympathetic, can assert' that the Cantonese, the Anfu Club, or any other of the contending factions have displayed a keen sense of their country's needs and interest."
Ir Tuere a Rear Cuance?
Mr. Little's view, expressed in his letter a few days ago, that the last ten years have produced a class of Chinese which has shown sincere regard for their country, was chal-longed, if not directly contradicted. "That is just the point at issue," observed Mr. Bland. "If one could point to any class in China which
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.