China's Prestige The' decision of Great Britain and other European
Great Powers to follow the example of Japan and raise their legations in China to the status of embassies is entirely to be welcomed. It will add to the prestige of the Nanking Government just when General Chiang Kai-shek has been securing respect for it in another way by the success of his operations against the Com- munists in the West. Nowhere does prestige count for more, and it was anything but encouraging to Chinese to see their country rated diplomatically on a lower level than, say, Belgium. The financial situation in China is still desperate, and China's extremity has more than once been Japan's opportunity. But the outlook is on the whole improving, and any increase of stability in Europe will, for political as well as economic reasons, be to China's advantage. Impending discussions on the Washington Treaties will raise again the whole question of the open door in China, and this country and the United States at any rate may be counted on to defend that doctrine with vigour. It is difficult to believe that Japan will openly challenge it. Mean- while Sir Alexander Cadogan, by his combination of solicitude for British interests and consideration for Chinese, has well earned the honour of being the first British Ambassador to China.
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