euch as Marshal Chang Tso-lin, Marshal Wu Pei-fu (both mentioned by Mr. Gilbert) or Governor Chao Hong-ti of Hunan. Inasmuch as a solidarity almost unparalleled in the history of, 'China exists throughout the] student body in all provinces, so that anything affecting' one section is instantly taken up by its fellows all over the country, these characteristics ate exceedingly serious. for the Chinese state, Many of us look to the students as the one real, organized and effective body of opinion in China to counteract the results of political corrupt tion and military tyranny. Moreover, it is to be remembered that this same student movement is not confined to youths at school, but includes large numbers of most respectable men of advanced years, who still count themselves at one. with the younger generation. And it would be quite unfair to ignore the fact that many of these men and others closely associated with those still in state pupillari cre doing all they can to guide this new force into ways beneficial to the country, But while such excesses are possible as those that can be quoted almost without number from the history of the past few years, and which continue to be practised with undiminished violence, it is very difficult to believe in the potency of the student movement as a whole for anything but the encouragement of undiscipline and lawlessness. With every desire to recognize constructive work wherever it may be found and to see the best side of the ten-doneies of modern China, it is impossible to shut one's eyes to the harm which is being done by the more violent and, unfortunately it would seem, still the most effective members of the student organization, to them: selves, to their fellows, and to the country.
We speak frankly because wi are sure that ultimately the student movement must prove the dominant factor for soci and political reform; and it only ju keeping with the history of all such movements that it should begin with excesses. Like Mrs. Malaprop's view of marriage, it may.be "best to begin with a little aversion." But the more clearly these es-cesses are recognized and not slurred over, the sooner will the student body settle down to the work which -awaits them and, we believe, they will one day
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.