A HINT FROM MEXICO

Chinese "Long Ruives" and Mexican bandits were both signs of an ineffective central government. Banditry in Mexico received a check when if infringed upon the rights of more responsible governments, when those governments stiffened the spines of local officials and prodded them to action. In a similar way, the sharp remonstrances of foreign diplomats may result in the disappearance of the "Long Knives" from China.

Their seizure of a train load of foreigners, including many Americans, is the only act in a long brigandage which has received much publicity. These bandits have been preying on the provinces ever since the iron rule of the emperors was discarded for a comparatively feeble democratic government. They have recently been joined by the remnants of the army defeated by General Wu Pei-Fu. Bands of a hundred thousand strong and organized under a leader, Lao Yang-jen, became more daring as soon as the efficient Japanese withdrew from Shantung.

The efforts of the presidents at Peking have always been divided between safeguarding the provinces against bandits and keeping themselves in power. Now they are forced to clear up the provinces or suffer a foreign army to undertake the task. That same threat, directed at a feebly inactive Mexican government, brought results; and, strangely enough, eventually brought the government itself greater power and prestige in its own country. The same thing may occur in China; the administration, in satisfying the demand to destroy brigandage, may find itself more firmly seated at Peking.