278
May 1927
T h e
K i n g ’ s
B u s i n e s s
such an appeal to make war on civilization? Of course there are other elements that have contributed to foster war in China, but Russia has seized upon these in order to carry out her scheme of winning over that nation to a Soviet Republic. J a p an ’ s C h in a P olicy From reading papers published in English in Japan, it would appear that the “Sunrise Kingdom” is pursuing an independent policy in her dealings with China over the present crisis, apart from any possible concerted action she may take at Shanghai with the representatives of the other nations there. Like the other Powers, 'Japan has been pursuing a waiting policy, to first see how the war would develop or terminate, and, also, possibly, to see what are the plans of the other interested Powers. Every nation has shown much reluctance over interfering with the internal affairs of China. Apparently, they all sincerely hoped that China would settle her own problems, and it was only because of great provocation that the govern ments of the United States and Britain felt morally com pelled to make some display of firmness with the two con tending forces in that unhappy country. Meanwhile Japan has taken every precaution to safe guard her trade interests with both North and South China. With the Northern Government she has tried to arrange a new treaty, having in it a favored nation clause, but thus far without success. It is not presumed that Japan is in the least concerned over the boycott of British goods on the part of the people of South China. She stands at the head of the list of the nations trading with China, and since the boycott of Britain, America occupies second place. Japan’s great problem is how she may obtain from China a slice of Manchuria, to which her overcrowded population at home might freely emigrate. To this end Japan would like to see herself given a protectorate over China, or even as a last resort to see China divided up, herself getting as her share the great province of Man churia. Russian agents are active in Japan, and, due to a. growing labor problem, the latter does not enjoy the same sense of security or freedom of action she enjoyed formerly. Wages and the cost of living have been on the increase during the last two years, and this fact alone would make it more difficult for Japan to now finance a prolonged war with any first class power. Japan, how ever, requires close attention. She is the one great power whose policy no one seems to know. G reat B ritain ’ s A ttitude From a business point of view, Britain, of all the nations apart from Japan, is the one most interested in China. It was due to her influence that China was com pelled to open some of her ports to the world, and this has proven to be beneficial to China and the nations. Ju st as Commodore Perry of the American Navy, com pelled Japan to open up her country to business with the ■outside world, so Britain did a similar service in China. Prior to this both China and Japan were totally isolated from the other peoples of the earth. Their policy was one of complete isolation, but the world was advancing and growing smaller and the time had arrived in the process ■of international relations when these two nations had to get acquainted with their neighbors. Because it was unsafe years ago for foreigners to trade with China without some protection from their own countries, foreign nations requested leases of certain dis tricts in Shanghai and elsewhere, where foreigners might
live, where the laws of their respective countries would prevail and be administered to foreigner and native alike by foreign judges. These districts are called Foreign Concessions. It is against these Foreign Concessions and Courts that China has been so vigorously' protesting 1 in recent years, demanding that they be given back. China’s contention is that these Concessions were forced from her when she was weak, but now she is asserting herself and asking that they be given back. Rus sia has recently given back her small Concession, which was of no value to her. “America did have Concessions but gave them back, not to China, but turned them over to foreign nations,” so says “The China Digest,” of Feb ruary 12th, 1927 issue. And this paper adds: “Americans have had free use of these Concessions, as is also the case with a large number of Chinese of all classes and political parties. “There is much talk on the part of China and her friends about her unequal treaties with foreign nations, but there are facts which the pro-Chinese do not always state. For instance: Foreigners, apart from the mission aries, cannot own land in China outside of the Concessions. Foreigners cannot travel in China without first getting a permit, nor can they establish themselves in business out side of the Concessions, as a matter of right, but only as a matter of sufferance. Nevertheless, there are millions of Chinese spread over the world enjoying practically every right, without restriction, enjoyed by the people among ’whom they live. The nations, therefore, give the Chinese privileges which China will not grant to their citizens in China.” T he F oreign C oncessions When Americans negotiate with the Chinese, they must think of the Foreign Concessions they- have lived in so long; and the Chinese must remember that the Concessions were first assigned to the foreigners because the Chinese refused to let them travel anywhere, or live anywhere, ®r do business anywhere else in China. And this restriction on foreigners still exists, unless, as stated heretofore, special permission is granted to do business or to travel. But China now demands that the Concessions be given up. Her demand would come with better grace if there accompanied it an announcement that her own country is opened freely to foreigners. It would seem only common justice that the Concessions be retained until China is willing to treat foreigners in her country as her business men are treated in other countries. Doubtless Britain would gladly give up her Concessions on such fair and equal terms, being assured that China is able to give full protection to foreigners in her country. There are those that think that China would so arrange matters, once the Concessions are given back to her, but evidently there are still some foreign governments that are unwilling to run that risk. They are still uncertain as to China’s ability to carry out her well meant intentions. So far as the question of Concessions goes, there is something well worth considering as regards the position of certain gov ernments. Judging from press reports, Britain is now ready to negotiate a new treaty with China, covering all these mat ters, and grant within all reasonable bounds China’s demand for full autonomy, providing of course, a central government becomes established and China gives satis factory guarantees that she will protect British interests. It seems unfair to criticize Britain because she insists on protection of her investments and right to trade in China. The Foreign Concessions, Extra Territorial rights,
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