London, Aug. 16.
Bad as the present position in China undoubtedly is, says Sir John Jordan in the "Times," it is no worse than it has been more than once in the past. He considers that the causes of the present disorganization and the collapse of all authority are largely economic.
Sir John reviews the events of the past 30 years, showing how the former system of apportionment of revenue between Peking and the provinces has been displaced to the latter's considerable disadvantage, until now they have ceased to send revenue to Peking and have declared a system of fiscal autonomy, which has reduced Peking to a shadow.
He examines and cites arguments against the different suggestions for remedying the existing situation, but is inclined to favour the proposal that the conference on the Customs surtax should be enlarged and should study fiscal relations between Peking and the provinces. The conference should be held at Shanghai and should be widely representative.
Sir John Jordan declares that the Tuchuns are not all bad, and mentions the good qualities displayed by Generals Yen Hsi-han and Lu. Yung-hsiang, and even Marshal Chang Tso-lin. In conclusion he states that without Chinese ce-operation no effective or permanent remedy can be found for Chinese ills.—Reuter.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.