The first number of the "Austral Asiatic Bulletin" which has been established asa Two-Monthly Review to give authoritative expression to the "activities of the four-year old Australian Institute of International 'Affairs contains, among other interest ing articles, pointed reference to the Pacific problem. Mr. Joseph Lyons' recent suggestion for a conference on that problem draws attention to the Bulletin's clear-cut assertion that Australia is in need of a Pacific policy rather than blind reliance on her "connection with the British Empire which under present conditions exposes her to the entangle-
Batish Statesmen as" rapormen, tha will be seen that the new journal {is not afraid to face' facts and Promises to be true to its introductory Geclaration of polley which seeks. neighbour ly. fashion to consider, in-forests "wider than those which distin from Insular prejudice. or political strategy, on either side of the Equator": "This, of course, Is admir= able but it is hecossary to sound a feautionary note. In adopting s0.admirable a standpoint itis essential to be assured that the exact sign ficance of the influences with which itis proposed to deal. is understood and Cully revealed, Friendly criti fam of the Bulletin's editorial retferences to Chinese affairs must moved: to regret that Mr. W. Hi. Donald and Mr. 7, V. Soong 9 comment on the Sian affair as "Mr. MeDonald and Mi Soong" who are described tanking inter meditiries" equipped with wiles", "It certainly ig unfortunate that an Australian. publication, mak ing its first bow on this side of the Paeifle, should be apparently ignorant of the identity of the most prominent Australian resident in China, "AE all events the Sian Diaty" which Is viewed elsewhere to-day will en= lighten this patch of darkness in the otherwise illuminated regions of Melbourne. view of the completion, in the near future, of the. Nanking-Nanchang and' the Chekiang-Kiangsi railways which will link up the Can= fon-Hankow line, the Ministry Hallways has decided to build a short branch of about 330 kilomet in Klangst and Fukien. This line will run between Kweich! and Nanping and will enable the greater part of Fukien to take advantage of the com= ing through traffic, which will con neet Canton and Shanghai.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.