Nov. 4.
The attempted assassination of Mr. Wang Ching-wei has drawn special attention to the deliberations which that event so rudely interrupted.. The delegates now in Nanking for the purpose of formulating national policies are confronted with an exceedingly difficult situation. Tt demands the greatest measure of prudent statesmanship and unity. For that reason alone the outrage has evoked deep regret, although should, actually, contribute to a more determined effort at re-Jconciling sectional differences. The deterioration in the country's finances, the acute monetary crisis jand the alarums attending the Gov-lornment's pursuit of an understanding with Japan have combined to throw an exceptionally heavy burden on the Kuomintang leaders [Presence of Sir Frederick Leith-Ross betokens the lively interest) taken by Great Britain in the /specielly difficult problem of finance. Tt is too early to suggest that concrete results can be expected from his visit. Pertinent, however, is consideration of the general attitude of the British people and their of-{ficial and non-official representatives there toward Sino-British relationships. Great Britain believes in China's ability to hold an honoured Place in the world's comity of nations. British interests here are based on trade associations which have a long and well-established record of achievement. British Policy, as conceived to-day, is mainly concerned in the preservation of that partnership to which, in the furtherance of the mutual economic interests of the two countries, cultural and social understanding may usefully contribute. Great Britain desires to see China mistress of her own house and is prepared sympathetically to view efforts made in that direction whether indepencent-Jy or in collaboration with Japanese goodwill. This is no platitudinous definition of British sympathy. Nor does it ignore the unhappy misunderstanding and errors which still leave their mark on the situation. British solicitude for China's stability Is based on genuine feelings of admiration for the Chinese People and respect for their institu: tions; it is also inspired by the tactical conviction that a stable China is the best guarantee for the Prosperity of British ent here, as well as for the material their folly.
impossible to survey the course of events without feeling intense sympathy with the Chinese Government. At times it looks as if noth-Ing could be done by that Govern-Ment to establish its bona fides. When it is charged with failure to full the ordinary functions of an administrative organ, it might well whether a Government of superman could avoid such a charge when harassed at all turns by incessant suspicion, erratic pressure and other forms' of criticism ealculated to undermine authority. The student of affairs may aver that. the clash between a vigorously dynamic nationalism and an intensely individualist people inevitably. Droduces such embassassment, That accentuates rather than diminishes the reed for greater sympathy and understanding of China's problems.
The party conferences now proceeding in'Nanking wil, it is hoped, reduce evidence on which the Government can claim national confidence in its policies. The absence }of an official opposition has its drawbacks, as has Jong been recognized. Still the gravity of the Problems to Be tackled should ensure a practical recognition of the urgent need of unity. The Govern: ment itself would probably have to take seriously into account those "dieuties fo. which ate Ariyoshi made discreet allusion. They may argue that, however well-meaning the offer of help, it may fir. up embarrassing opposition, Once it be known that the Chinese Government is relying on foreign Mia"to retain. its ascendancy, Powerful weapon is put into the ride of is opponents, they wit be slow to clam for themselves the role of defenders of the national fause and, by tempering the originally Communist programme, they may perceive the chance of re} viv their netiies just when te] ment military Tender has soested feneraship of te Chinese Govern Ther motive from ther and ce) diced their inauonce to comparative inalgnifeance, It ts ne, of course thatthe Japanede press has ben curing Genera! Chiang Katsnek of unsatisfactory complaisance wit Communist alme. This accusation
Point of suggesting that he_hes fas. een "developed ever fetuatly put Rimgef at the head the Mao Tse-tung's forces. Pantastic though such charges are thes acaulre.asigifcance- wen tse at this juncture. Mr. Wang Chit jwel's incapacitation will, for the time iboing, deprive the Government his personal presence at the conferences, but the medical reports happily suggest that he may soon return to active duty. In the meantime it seems that the Plenary Session and, later, the National Con-/gress will proceed as arranged. His colleagues will no doubt take pains ito see that the assassin's hand has little real influence on their proceedings; indeed it should inspire firmer determination to persevere fin developing national unity for the \better conception of national destiny. There is no reason, for example, why the Government should falter in {ts endeavour to cement Japanese relationships, always assuming that Japanese diplomacy is allowed to function. without dis tractions devised by its military col-Teagues. On that aspect of China's! foreign relations it is not necessary to dwell. Enough has been said to prove that friends both of China and of Japan arg convinced of the of establishing close economic and political ce-operation between the two peoples so naturalwg-claim for its action or for its in-faction the merit of supreme and undeviating wisdom at all. points. Tt has obviously lacked coherence and the inconsistencies of departmental activity have been patently {inimical to clear-cut expressions of policy. That is an inevitable detect funder present conditions for which China cannot be held entirely responsible. "Yet there is" little doubt that the Government could advantageously review ts otani tion with the object of mitigating this handicap to a successful diree= tion of the nation's affairs. Tts for-Jeign relations would profit ener mously by such self-improvement, The immediately urgent problem of financial reconstruction is being ap= proached in the right spirit. With the ce-operation of important banking interests the Finance Minister has courageously faced the constantly accumulating" difficulties. He should discern encouragement in the action now taken in London to create an authoritative committee for the protection of Chinese bondholders. From that committee Dr. Kung should eventually be able to Army in the north, on the ly allied by propinquity and cultural bringing the realities of Chi obtain whole-hearted assistance in atthoniy "of "te "chiot daponese Tews agency, is randy to vinta! ltimitam to the Generale: time. It would"eocm at the traditions.
As China's statesmen grapple with the serious problems of the moment it is appropriate that they should be Position into proper perspective. Thus the improvement of the coun—- 27's credit may be more effectively tackled. Furthermore this con~ derstanding. For the rest it is important that China should be made to realize that she can confidently rely on British goodwill and discerning friendship as she proceeds, ito smooth out her present diffl~ culties.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.