Meanwhile, Sun Yat Sen is still at war with Wu-Pei-Fu.  It has been stated in the British Press that there was an alliance between Sun and Chang, but it seems there was little more than a common hostility to Wu.  Sun’s friends maintain that he is a genuine Constitutionalist, and that Wu is not to be trusted, but Chen Chiung Ming has a better reputation than Sun among reformers.  The British in China all praise Wu and hate Sun; the Americans all praise Sun and decry Wu.  Sun undoubtedly has a past record of genuine patriotism, and there can be no doubt that the Canton Government has been the best in China.  What appears in our newspapers on the subject is certainly designed to give a falsely unfavourable impression of Canton.  For example, in The Times of May 15, a telegram appeared from Hong-Kong to the following effect: 

I learn that the troops of Sun Yat Sen, President of South China, which are stated to be marching north from Canton, are a rabble.  Many are without weapons and a large percentage of the uniforms are merely rags.  There is no discipline, and gambling and opium-smoking are rife.

Nevertheless, on May 30, The Times had to confess that this army had won a brilliant victory, capturing “the most important stronghold in Kiangsi,” together with 40 field guns and large quantities of munitions.

The situation must remain obscure until more detailed news has arrived by mail.  It is to be hoped that the Canton Government, through the victory of Chen Chiung Ming, will come to terms with Wu-Pei-Fu, and will be strong enough to compel him to adhere to the terms.  It is to be hoped also that Chang’s proclamation of the independence of Manchuria will not be seized upon by Japan as an excuse for a more complete absorption of that country.  If Wu-Pei-Fu adheres to the declaration quoted above, there can be no patriotic reason why Canton should not co-operate with him; on the other hand, the military strength of Canton makes it more likely that Wu will find it prudent to adhere to his declaration.  There is certainly a better chance than there was before the defeat of Chang for the unification of China and the ending of the Tuchuns’ tyranny.  But it is as yet no more than a chance, and the future is still problematical.

June 21, 1922.

INDEX

Academy, Imperial, 44
Adams, Will, 94
Afghanistan, 175
Ainu, 117
America, 17, 54, 63, 69, 134, 136, 145 ff., 159 ff
  and naval policy, 161-2
  and trade with Russia, 162-3
  and Chinese finance, 163-5, 244
  and Japan, 167 ff. 
Americanism, 221
Ancestor-worship, 39
An Fu Party, 145, 205, 243
Anglo-Japanese Alliance, 120, 123, 133, 137, 149, 175
Annam, 52
Arnold, Julean, 231
Art, 11, 12, 28, 189
Australia, 181