One does not have to be a very acute observer to see that all is not well with China today. In this article the writer has endeavoured to clarify the position to New Zealanders by a brief resume of recent Chinese history and of the latest developments, with special reference to the question of students in China today.

In 1910 China was a corrupt and weak Empire. Two years later the Republic had been formed, and the first, challenge to the feudal institutions had been made. British, French and other capital had already entered the country at the turn of the century, but the industries started by this capital were near the coast. Inland lay vast expanses of old China, feudal, a country of terrible contrasts, grace and cruelty, great wealth and terrible poverty. Among the makers of the revolution had been merchants, scholars, soldiers, peasants, artisans—all manner of men—and they had to come together to decide what China should be.