GLIMPSES OF THE SUN

From the point of view of the Caucasian race, Oriental nations always do things wrong-way-round. They are always out of step in the march of events, and usually a little behind; but lately Japan has been ahead of time-again from the point of view of the Occident. She has gone through the militaristic stage, and now seems anxious to atone for past sins by an unselfishness that is so far in advance of European politics that it makes her appear out of step again. Not content with being one of the first to agree to the four-power treaty at the Washington conference, she has given back the province of Shantung-the "Alsace-Lorraine of the orient"-to China.

The Chinese government has taken its first measure to restore order in this much troubled territory by incorporating a group of bandits in the police force, at an expense of $100,000. The bandits, it is reported, were glad to receive the bonus, for there has been a strike of the "river and harbor pirates' union" during the last few months, and profits have been scarce. Now wages are assured, due to the military impotence of the government.

China has practically no soldiers, and no ammunition to furnish those which she has. For the last decade she has been in a state of civil war which can only be compared to that of France during the revolution of 1789, Like France she has overthrown a dynasty of absolute monarchs in power for nearly three centuries, and now is in difficulty about finding another government. Dictatorship has followed republic, and monarchy dictatorship, anarchy filling the gaps between, until the nation is practically bankrupt. Dr. Wu Tingfang, the only truly great patriot China has had, is now dead; President Hsu Shih-chang has ruled and fallen, and Presidert Sun Yat-sen has proved unequal to the task of uniting the government under one central power.

Foreign nations have taken what they wanted from China, and have united in making her the "goat". Japan especially, up to the present time, has helped herself, excusing the action by saying that China would never have been able to make the most of her advantages and that they are better in competent hands. But now Japan has restored Shantung. If other nations will follow the "hands off policy" in dealing with China, that nation will have a better chance of working out her own destiny.