A vivid account of the damage done by the Chinese
armies to the railways may be found in Mr. H. Stringer's China : A New Aspect (Witherby, 12s. 6d.). The author has served on the railways in China, and he laments the fate that has befallen them just when they had become efficient and were sorely needed to assist trade and prevent famine. Mr. Stringer has a very low opinion of Chinese politicians, but he is equally contemptuous of Western Governments for what he regards as their feebleness in upholding their rights in China. As foreign and native railwaymen, from the highest to the lowest, have suffered severely whether from civilian dishonesty or military brutality, Mr. Stringer's indignation is excusable. Yet Great Britain has far too many responsibilities of her own to undertake the policing and administration of the Chinese railway zones, even if it were expedient.
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