Author of "Across the Roof of the World," "Armies can be found; a leader is difficult." CHINESE PROVERB MCMXXVII ERNEST BENN LTD. LONDON: BOUVERIE HOUSE Thin PREFACE IN the following pages I have endeavoured to allow the facts of the present situation in China to speak for themselves, without presenting a case for any of the Powers or parties concerned. China is in a state of transition to which the history of the world can offer no parallel. The evolution now in progress affects not only British policy and trade, but has a direct bearing on the future of the Pacific, and of those Powers whose interests lie in that region. In so far as we personally are concerned, the studied moderation of the British Government, in face of threat and outrage, should convince even the most rabid partisans of Canton that Great Britain is a powerful friend, whom the China of to-morrow would find helpful and sympathetic in the task that confronts the Chinese nation of evolving order from chaos, of establishing a government that is, both in its inspiration and aims, truly national and imbued with the ideals at present lacking. As will be seen it is an immense undertaking, demanding a leader of genius, with cordial and wholehearted co-operation, which is not easy to obtain in a land so peculiarly constituted as China. It is in the interests of ourselves and the whole world that China should progress to ordered government and prosperity; it is also essential, in view of what is involved in the present crisis, that the points at issue should be その more generally known than is the case at present. If this book enables the reader to form a considered opinion of the potential consequences of the Chinese crisis, it will have served its purpose. In the preparation of the book I desire to place on record my appreciation of the assistance given me by Mr. H. Hessell Tiltman and of criticism and advice which he has so readily accorded. P. T. ETHERTON. LONDON. April, 1927. |