Rapid Spread of Anti-British Propaganda: Internecine War Adds fuel to the Flames: Powerlessness of Officials: imported Mischlef-Makers From Ove OWN
Chengtu, Aug. 13.
Conditions "in West China have again aroused an interest in the Province of Szechuan. The antiforeign, and especially anti-British agitation went so far as to affect. the safety of Britishers. The event of May 30, in Shanghai kindled a flame, that spread like wild fire up the Yangtze basin through the gorges, over the roll-hills, and across the rich plains of Szechuan. The fact that it spread so rapidly was proof that there was dry tinder prepared. Naturally there has been a growing feeling of patriotism' among the educated and student classes. They saw that the foreigners predominated everywhere. The salt gabelle which controls the tremendous output of salt, was supervised by foreigners, and most ly used to pay the loans that the politicians borrowed for their own selfish ends. The Post Office is also under the supervision of for-igners. The Customs which handles millions but which was al mortgaged to pay debts accumulate ed by Boxer risings, loans, ete.
No matter which way the pat rlotie Chinese turned he was hemmed in by treaties that China had been foreed to make, when pressure was brought to bear. Great Britain owing to her carlier contact with China and her trade quite overshadows other nations and hence was more conspicuous} when the eyes of the Chinese began to open through the pro-|t! Paganda that has been carried on since the war with Bolshevik From the intense feeling against England it seems very evident that. the secret propaganda has singled out Great Britain as the biggest' obstacle to their hopes, for an_in-|* dependent China. This' is the first experience that we have had, when as British subjects we were singled out while the other nationalities except Japan were allowed to go on as usual.
An Outside Agitation The trouble was accentuated by fan internecine war that for months has been disturbing the peace of the Province. The two opposing forces have their headquarters. the cities of Chengtu and Chungking, respectively. To show that. there was a widespread pro-Puganda going on before the Shanghai riots occurred, it is only necessary to allude to the anti-Christian movement that began in Shanghai and spread very rapidly all parts. That this agitation arose from without seemed quite was an. anti-foreign lat pervaded the movement, directed toward—the schools carried on by the Missions, The slogan was that no religion be taught in the schools, and that the students in Christian schools should refuse to attend the usual periods for Bible study oF worship. This agitation seriously affected many schools, and led to demands by the students, that would overthrow not only the regular curriculum but all discipline. This province was in the throes of this discussion, when the incident in Shanghai provided oil of the most inflammable nature.
The province of Szechuan is really too large, and its estimated population of 60 millions is too unwieldy, to be governed.by one Governor from one centre. Communications from one part to another are very inadequate for matters requiring prompt action. No improvements have been made for centuries on what are called roads but which in Western tersinology would be-called paths or at best Innes. The only vehicle in use is the wheelbarrow and. that can only be used on the plains.
Since the revolution Szechuan has not been united under a central Government. It has been divided up into what might be called_small principalities, with a Vocal General as ruler. These Generals for mutual protection would unite into groups, though these groups never for long consisted of the same Generals, These again grouped themselves around two centres, The eastern sertion recognized Chungking the comm cial" metropol headquarters, and the western section Chengtu' the ancient capital" The civil strife going on at the present time, is an attempt by the ruler or rulers in ench of these sections, to obtain control of the province, The task, under present conditions, the Gen-legion, turn from one@ide to the other whenever it suits their own, personal ends.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.