OURSELVES AND CHINA sm,—It is some time since even Mr.
Tangye's Chinese friends were in China. Much has happened since they left their own shores to give the credulous Mr. Tangye a false impression of his countrymen in China. The Chinese struggle for the abolition of extra-territorial privileges has since been won in principle, and progressive Chinese, inspired by the Generalissimo himself, are now looking forward to full co-operation with their British friends and Allies. The page of controversy is turned and the energies of the Empire and of the Chinese Republic will be concen- trated on strengthening the bonds between us for the prosecution of our joint war and on forging realistic and strong ties, which will ensure our mutual strength, independence and prosperity after our common victory. For this it is important to do all in our power to strengthen the bonds of friendship, mutual esteem and cultural exchange between us and the Chinese people. But events have too often reminded us that sentimental bonds, however enduring in the long run, can be severed temporarily by the sudden impact of national passions and can be weakened by insidious propaganda of third parties ; they need 4o be toughened by the fibre of mutual dependence and self-interest expressed in terms of finance, commerce and useful services, such as shipping and air lines give.
The Chinese will look to us to stand by them. The Empire and the United States will respond nobly, in no spirit of condescension, but in the spirit of freedom, equality and justice reinforced by true friendship, mutual respect and the admiration which our common efforts in the war have nourished. But however great China's potential power, the sense of realities which informs the real leaders of the Chinese Revolu- tionary Government will cause them to turn in many ways to the British Peoples for help in their gigantic task of rebuilding the New China— and we too will need their help in many ways. Shipping, airways, com- munications, banking, insurance, engineering and the complicated machinery to move and to distribute imports and exports will have to be re-established in modern conditions based on the old principle that confi- dence is the soul of trade—mutual confidence, security and mutual profit.
Let me assure Mr. Tangye that the real quarrel of the Chinese was not so much with personalities and behaviour as with the outmoded political basis on which foreign intercourse in China was conducted. That basis will now be altered.—Yours faithfully, G. S. Moss. The Old Glebe, Eggesford, North Devon.
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