Peking, July 23.
All the Legations to-day are con-vineed that Japan is prepared to Jmaintain the validity of her Commercial Treaty with China by any. means which' circumstances may make necessary, treating Dr. C. T. Wang's Note as an impertinence fs not supported by the Nationalist leaders, as an effort to violate a solemn agreement if it is supported by them.
In such as attitude Japan has tae moral support of the whole Diploma-tie Corps. General pleasure is felt that the Japanese have an opportunity to define the correct position as 'a precedent, before ill-advised Home Governments have had a chance to temporize with the Kuomintang's attempted unilateral denunciation of the treaties, Several Ministers whom I have interviewed have voiced almost Wentical opinions: "We favour pro gressive revision of the Treaties as China develops and proves her capacity to execute agreements, but We must strongly resist repudiation jof bargains which are denounced chiefly because the Nationalists are unable to abide by them."
The Japanese Minister, Mr. Yoshizawa, is in receipt of authority from Tokyo to draft.a. suitably strong reply to Dr. C, T. Wang's, announcement but he is waiting for [documentary material, and is also disinclined to take the Nanking have seen the Italian reply, which still not available for publication most devastating, containing veiled threat of direct action, if the Chinese attempt to make effective their denunciation of the treaty, saying that italy anticipates revision by regular process, but will resent one-sided abrogation of a solemn engagement, In some quarters in the diplomatic world pleasure is felt that Japan is acting alone, thereby suming the, leadership in defence of essential rights, which the low fers are certain to' endorse, inste< Jof taking international advice, which would afford to ignorant Western conciliators an opportunity to warp' the policy.
Chinese politicians are profoundly stirred by the domestic situation created.
Since Feng Yushsiang is champion of the Radical majority the Kuomintang Central Executi Committee, and since Chiang Kaishek's Manchurian negotiations, which are designed to thwart Feng's ambitions here, depend for success on Japan's good will, Dr. C, T. Wang's tactics are thought by Chinese to be inspired by Feng, through the Central Committee, in' order to embarrass Chiang Kai-shek and his allies in their relations with Japan and other Powers.
It is now confirmed that Japan has "advised" Chang Buch-liang not to conclude an alliance with the Nationalists while Nanking's present attitude towards the Treaties prevails.
According to local opinion Chiang. Kai-shek therefore is faced with the alternative of forcing a re. vision of the Central Executive' foreign policy along reasonable Hines, thereby making possible an entente with Manchuria and check nating Feng Yuchslang here, or of submitting to the authority of the most radical element in the Kuomintang, dominated now by Feng, and forfeiting control here to Feng.
From the tobe of the Japanese press it is generally concluded that the former course would involve the dismissal of Dr, C. T. Wang.
The Middle Course Party Agents of the Militarists in foreign circles are pathetically eager that the Powers should adopt towards the Treaty question a conciliaenabling Chiang and his allies to steer a middle course, neither repudiating the Kuomintang authority in foreign relations, nor surrendering to Feng Vu-hsiang's leadership.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.