When examining the problems which confront China at the present time—involving great political, social and economic changes,—we must consider the magnitude of her territory which is nearly as large as Europe, and the extent of her population which is about one-fourth of the world's inhabitants. In such eireumstances {t Is idle to expect any Government to settle overnight important, economic questions, and to deal summarily with such revolts as may arise in so vast an area, In cases volution in Europe in the past a certain number of years always. transpired before the restoration of tran-quality, and where such a large country as China ig concerned it necessarily follows that a longer period must be allowed. But st the same time I should like to point out that the present Chinese Government, which has remained in office for over six yours, has already accomplished rear deal in consolidating thei: authority and in developing the economic resources of the country. The Economic Council, for example, hag rendered and continues to ronde valuable services in regard to rural reconstruction and land reform, particularly in the North-Western Provinces where the question of education, and the improvement of agricultural methods have made definite progress, and when we consider that this area about as large as France and Germany combined, it is not surprising that progress has been both dimeult and tedious. The improvement of communications generally in China is naturally a malter of vital importance, and is receiving the closest attention of the Government. Road-building on an extensive scale is in operation, and towns and villages—separated jo the past by reason of bad eommunications—are being connected by motor bus as in England; algo irrigation, social and public health work are all receiving atten-
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.