China and the Great Powers

Report Outline
The Nationalist Movement in China
China's Unequal Treaties
Chinese Policies of the Powers

Suspension of negotiations with the British Government by the Nationalist Government of Southern China, “because of the menacing concentration of British forces at Shanghai,” has been followed by renewed pressure upon the Government of the United States for immediate steps toward the settlement of all outstanding differences between this country and the Republic of China.

The British negotiations dealt primarily with the future status of the British concessions at Hankow and Kiukiang, a matter in which the United States has no direct interest. After a satisfactory settlement of the concession problem had been reached, however, it had been planned to proceed with a general examination of all other outstanding issues, both at Hankow and at Peking, which it was expected would point the way to a full settlement of China's differences with all the treaty powers.

The sudden termination of the Hankow negotiations by the Nationalist foreign minister, at a time when a preliminary agreement on the concessions lacked only the final signatures, is believed to have been due primarily to the continuing success of the Nationalist arms, carrying with it the promise that the Canton government may shortly be in position to demand a more rapid and complete relinquishment of foreign rights and privileges in China than has heretofore been offered by any of the treaty powers.