"The Chinese have developed political self-consciousness, and this is the real basis for disturbances in that country," said Professor S. K. Hornbeck of the University History Department to a Crimson reporter yesterday. Professor Hornbeck has recently returned from a two years absence in the Far East where be attended the Conference on Pacific Relations in Honolulu and was a member of several American delegations to conferences on the Far East question.

In regard to the situation in China Professor Hornbeck explained that there are two great movements, first, "a contest for power on the part of several contending Chinese leaders or groups, no one of which can lay claim to a right of legitimacy;" second "a revolt on the part of articulate China against the domination of foreign powers.

No Government There

"There is today," said Professor Hornbeck, "no government of China. Various leaders or groups have control and exercise authority in various parts of China. For authority they depend upon military forces.

"The revolt against foreign powers is the result of a century of contact during which time foreign powers and their nationals have acquired a privileged position in China. During the past half century many Chinese have studied and applied to their own country, in so far as possible, Western ideas China herself has been directly affected by development of foreign trade and disturbance of her economic equilibrium and the result is that China's leaders are dissatisfied with existing conditions there. It looking for causes they find it easy to believe that foreign powers are foremost among the causes of China's troubles. The Chinese have developed self consciousness and a real nationalistic movement is in full swing.

"Each party now wishes to Irive its opponents off the stage and to regain from the foreign powers what are called 'lost rights.' The nationalists have gained military control of a little more than one third of China's territory but they have not established an effective administration throughout that large an area.

Guaranteed Safety

"Both Northern and Southern leaders have affirmed that they would afford full protection to foreigners but this statement has not been strictly adhered to Foreign property has been seized and in some cases destroyed, missionaries have been driven from interior points and bodily harm to them has been reported in some instances. This, however, is usually the work of irresponsible mobs.

"Mob action has been the principle worry with regard to Shanghal General Sun, who holds at present the province in which Shanghai is located, is opposing the advance of the nationalist leader, General Chiang. The foreign population of the port and surrounding country of Shanghai is approximately 40,000 and the Chinese population about 1,300,000. There are huge investments there, both foreign and Chinese which would be jeopardized, as well as the lives of the citizens, if the Chinese armies were to try to seize Shanghai. It is for this reason that various governments are sending ships and soldiers to that neighborhood. As far as the United States is concerned it may be stated confidently that there is no aggressive intention what ever.

"At present the fighting is about 160 miles from Shanghai, and there is no immediate danger to that city.'

When asked whether or not he thought the present situation would bring about eventual unity Professor Hornbeck said that such a development is not probable in the near future