Aoxlon de Raffa. Berge?. Sevk SeerPBoalevarde Saint Germ This is a new work by a well known member of the French local bar. It was only published early in 1926 and reached Shanghai almost immediately. It is a very complete work, although it must, by its very nature, tend to be more of a compilation from varied sources than a purely original work of research. The author has brought his account very much up to date. Further he is most punctilious in acknowledging practically every source of his information, and giving full credit by name, to any author referred to. Although there is a page showing contents, yet the book is nearly 500 Pages of important matter, closely Feasoned. Its a very serious draw-hack to the permanent serviceability of his work as a Reference work, that the author has omitted to sup ply a complete subject index. This thorteoming should be rectified if a second edition appears. The main purpose of this book is to enlighten the average French reader and put him eu courant of actual facts. The athar declaims bitterly against the: time worn aphoristic lies which are s0 well known to be mere clap trap by really well informed experts on the spot. In the latter class he pointedly does not include the high-paid members of the diplomatic Dody, both in China and elsewhere, who receive appointments to. deal nth special eases of the merits of Which they know nothing and care less. 'The fiction about the prover-pial' honesty of the Chinese merchant, that about opium smoking, and humorous thers are all cate: gerieally exposed. In incisive tan-Euage our author shows the differtence between the acclaimed progress of social reforms in China as ad-ortived by Mr. Heiao at Geneva Conference, and the hours of labour actually customary throughout the country. The question "of child labour is adequately dealt with at the same time.
'The Concessions' Origin The author hows what the original plot of ground allotted for either Settlements, or Concessions actually was, when allotted. "He shows how Shanghai was merely a marshy swamp, while Shameen w: no better. The "sover relating to wharfs, and river frontage, as improved by Conservancy works under Occidental I neatly dealt with.
n rights as recently exerci Nantao, or on the Shanghai Woosung stretch of the river here, ive serious food for reflexion. The author is most severe when dealing. with euch "patriots" as the Tate ex-president Sun Yat-sen. The actual nationality of this, now beatified, hero, would be difficult to decide. It is an open secret that, at the time of the first Revelution the august High Authorities in Peking actually demanded that the British authorities in Shanghai should arrest, and hand over to them, Sun Yat-sen, Wa Ting-fang, Wen Tsung-yao, and others. The detail that they themselves hed gravely sent Wa Ting-fang as their Minister to U. S. and such inconsistencies of the "lose face" order, weighed for nothing when expediency was involved. Sun Yat-sen, himself, even claimed can nationality when visiting Siam to incite propaganda and raise Gisiculties amongst the local Chin-ce. This claim was refused recognition by the U.S, Siam ree presentatives, inasmuch as no proof that he had ever registered at any U. S. Consulate in China could be adduced.
The author cites Kotenev's book concerning the Mixed Court, ete. bat ridicules the idea that mere, sanction, should be shown to Occidental representatives merely to hoodwink them. The origin of have emanated from the Chinese, themselves, since their pat and empiric systems of administering their judicial cases proved wholly inadequate for dealing with Buropeans, As these later were all confined to a small area, it was simpler to let their own Consular authorities deal with everything. The missionary question is also dealt with.
The Ineffable Mr, Wat The author is most caustic when treating of the fights of fancy for U.S. consumption, A recent letter in the local press.protesting against the use of the missionary organization for subversive purposes, and specifically mentioning Rev. F. H. Ward, as representing the American Civil Liberties Union, of which he is President, will support the author's assertions. In a foot note on P. 469 the author points out that, although originally ostensibly a tourist, and, naturally in that character, possess insight enabling him to a quire in a few days the intimate Knowledge of China which his right ly respected colleague Dr. Arthur Smith (author of "Chinese Chara teristics, ete. close study self, yet Mr. Ward is practically equivalent to a missionary. Mr. Ward is Professor of Christian Ethics in the Theological College at New York.
Another point which the author stresses strongly is the superficial lity of all educational advantages acquired by Chinese, and their al solute ignorance on common subjects. To this must be added their overweening vanity. They fondly claim that the paltry 30,000] Europeans who comprise the Whole of the foreign residents in China, are mere pensioners admitted by charity. They are ignorant that at least nine millions of Chinese are abroad thriving, in America and Occidental countries, where they are {rented ox equals 30, long a8 they behave, The smattering of military navigation, law, etc., that up as students is merely used to vilify foreigners when they return, Even the general strike in England has been heard to be a tributed to Chinese anti-foreign propaganda during the last few days. Such "invincible ignorance" is not readily dealt with, but is symbolical of the conditions now ruling in country.
The Old Questions The author suggests several re-medics all of which deal with foreign intervention. The chief obs stade to his remedies lies in the dd questions "Who is to bell the cat?" and "Who is to pay the piper?" combined with the question of "Is the game worth the candle?" When the Occidental Powers are united, including the United States, upon these Faints it will be simpler work for all concerned. Marshal Sun's recent speeches show that at any rate one high authority is not fraid to publish his views and to admit that results produced under Occidental rule well justify emulation prior to destruction. Results to be the criterion. The complete absence of bond fides and mutual] trust and loyalty amongst the Chinese themselves clearly proves that all the author's statements are true, Whether any of his remedies are practical remains to be seen. The book is crowded with information but, failing the index, referred to above, it is very difficult to discover the wealth of information between its covers.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.