Unrest

Last week's percussion and repercussions throughout the Eastern Provinces of China (See also TIME, June 15, 22) :

Peking. Students, mostly children, backed by merchants, shopkeepers, coolies, continued to parade the streets demanding armed action against the British. Chief Executive Tuan Chi-jui requisitioned troops to guard foreigners. The Diplomatic Corps warned the Gov ernment that it must take energetic steps to quell anti-foreign disturbances. The Government replied that the disturbances were caused by foreigners.

Tuan Chi-jui, one of China's indolent and honest elder statesmen, rules in Peking without a Parliament which, judging from past performances, is more of a help than a hindrance. But Tuan is merely a puppet of the powerful Manchurian Tuchun, Chang Tso-lin. And, while the latter was protecting foreigners, the former's Government was condemning them. There may be nothing incompatible in this, but it looked as if Tuan was not even a power in his own councils.

Tientsin. Marshal Chang Tso-lin ("the strongest may in China"), whose temporary capital Tientsin is, released a number of troops for guard duty outside British buildings. No violence reported.

Shanghai. In gloomy night, on the outskirts of the international settlement, seven coolies held up a car driven by W. W. Mackenzie, British Engineer, and Miss Mary Duncan, British subject. As Miss Duncan reported, Mackenzie got out of the car and asked the coolie-- what they wanted. Horrid laughter greeted him. A shot was fired. Mackenzie scrambled back into the car. A volley of bullets followed him and he fell mortally wounded. Miss Duncan, slightly wounded, seized the wheel, drove to the concession.

The British Consul General delivered a solemn protest to the Chinese Government. Foreign Secretary Austen Chamberlain in London swore that all British would be defended by every means from violence. "One foreign life for every Chinese life," was the Chinese answer printed on posters and later one Gavin, British subject, was bumped on the head.

A conference which tried to effect a settlement of the unrest broke down and Chinese delegates returned to Peking. Government subsidies were received by strikers and shipping remained completely tied up. The only ray of light in the black situation was the reopening of the banks.

Nanking. A general strike began. Situation was serious. No casualties reported.

Hankow. British marines arrived early in the week and maintained absolute order. A Chinese Bolshevik was executed by the Chinese authorities.

Chungkiang. Alarming stories (unconfirmed) came from Chungkiang, a Yangtsze-kiang port. In general, the situation was said to be beyond control. Britishers were stoned and otherwise assaulted. The British Consul was forced to flee. Japanese gunboats were expected.

Kiukiang. Conditions following the sacking of the British and Japanese Consulates (TIME, June 22) remained serious, but U. S. troops maintained order.

Canton. Victorious Kuo Mintang (Bolshevik) troops committed further atrocities on the defeated Yuennanese, many of them being butchered. As soon as they were firmly established in the city, they turned their activities against the foreigners. Strikes were declared and all foreign goods were boycotted. U. S. Consul General Douglas Jenkins urged all foreign women and children to leave the city. Many began to leave.

Hongkong. Up to the past week, British-governed Hongkong remained orderly; but, with the conclusion of the Kuo Min-tang-Yuennanese battle, agitators calling themselves the "Dare to Die Corps" (the name of the late Dr. Sun Yat-sen's irregulars, who successfully fomented the rebellion against the Son of Heaven) forced the Hongkong Chinese to strike. Absolute quiet was maintained.

Quo Vadunt? Is the present sporadic outburst of nationalism going to sweep all China into a ferment against the foreigners? Or is it going to die down to flare up again in the future? It is unlikely, if not impossible, for the Chinese to undertake any concerted action against the foreigners. This is because the Chinese are themselves too much divided. But it is almost a certainty that nationalism as a force will live to show its talons another day and there can be no doubt that some time the nationalists will win.

All this leads to the intentions of the Powers. Will they, as was suggested, agree to hold immediately a conference for the purpose of righting all China's wrongs? Probably not. But, sooner or later, they will have to. Meantime, the god old maxim of divide et impera seems the better part of wisdom.