May Tr cannot be thought that the speech by M. Rakowsky at the opening of the Anglo-Soviet conference which we print to-day does much to modify the evil effect of Bolshevist utterances in Russia since the conference began. Judging by the papers now to hand from London, the Soviet delegation was greeted with no enthusiasm on its Ir needs no great perspicu! see that the criticisms to which Dr. W. W. Yen replies, in the] interview with Reuter's corres-
Pondent printed to-day, are those of the "North-China Daily News," nor is it very unlikely that that interview took place at the invitation, not of Reuter, but of the interviewee. It is interesting to hear that "some of the so-called independent provinces are already responding to the in-their own belief in the specula- quiries of the Commission in its This] efforts to obtain statistical in-The} formation concerning provinetal government receipts and expenditure" and we look forward to reading the promised report.
But between getting information of this kind and getting the provinces to disgorge there is wide difference. As regards our comment that there appears no reason! why the provinces should, under existing conditions, remit money to Peking, it is not at all astonishing, with due respect to Dr. Yen, that a good many people feel like this. Let us recall a little recent history.
Eleven months ago General Li Yuan-hung was terrorized into resigning office and bolted from Peking. Propter hoc as well as post hoe—though rather longer "post" than had been expected—Marshal Tsao Kun succeeded in buying up the members of Parliament. Quite half China does not recognize his Government and anybody who gives it money to maintain itself in power is going to get himself into no small trouble with that half. Furthermore, what has been done once may be done again. To-morrow somebody else may oust President Tsao Kun, set up a new administration and y|must, but seck by every means to try not to do.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.