Dec. 31.
No apology is needed for printing and for calling special attention to the very—interesting speech, which chance has thrown in our way, of H. E. Chu Yin-kuang, Civil Governor of Shantung, although the occasion of making it is somewhat long past. Too often, in speech-making to mixed audiences of Chinese and foreigners, Chinese officials, like Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah, can only prophesy smooth things continually and ladle out insipid platitudes which deceive nobody. But the evident sincerity of the pleasure with which his Excellency welcomed Sir John Jordan is reflected in all parts of the speech, which indeed constitutes one of the most valuable pieces of criticism of the relations of Chinese and foreigners, from the Chinese standpoint, that we have read. Mr. Chu sees faults on both sides and does not hesitate to enumerate them with equal frankness. He tells us that the foreign Powers have been oppressive in their dealings with China and that China has been stupid in ber blindness to the advantages of foreign trade and in obstinately trying to cling to her isolation. The two characteristics would naturally have a mutual reaction to aggravate each other. Meanwhile Mr. Chu believes that the period of these relationships is over and he looks forward to ever greater intimacy between Chinese and foreign business men with ever increasing benefit to both.
But he sees one great barrier, which 60 long as it is upheld by the Powers must hamper all development of trade and cordiality, and that barrier is the system under which foreigners in all parts of China live under their own laws and are beyond the control of Chinese law however they may offend against it. We do not, perhaps, realize as clearly should how very deeply the Chinese people resent the foreigners' exterritorial rights. In the new treaties under discussion with the Czechs, the Jugo-Slavs and Switzetland the Chinese Government appears to be adamant on this point. At the Peace Conference, it will be recalled, the Chinese case was built largely on the desire forthe abolition of exterritorality and most claims advanced were directed to that end.. Un-
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.