自華盛頓會議以降，列強對華基本態度以尊重中國主權領土的完整為主要基調，儘量不干涉中國內政，亦不輕言動用武力。但中國現狀的持續惡化以及日益顯露的反外傾向，卻為上述基調造成重大變數。1923年的臨城劫車案、1924年的江浙戰爭、1925年的五舟事件等均對外人輿論與列強對華政策造成重大衝擊。從外國報紙、商會大肆鼓吹武力干涉論的輿論面向來看，列強似已從華會後的溫和路線，又轉向激烈。不過與此同時，受到布爾什維克世界革命宣傳的影響，以及中國民族主義意識日漸高昂的現實環境，部分外人也認清到武力政策非但無力改變中國現狀，反倒有可能激起更大的反外傾向，因此主張堅守華會精神，不宜干涉中國內政，而應竭力保持靜觀中立的態度。武力干涉論與靜觀中立論是1920年外人對華輿論中，兩條相互糾葛攻訐，但又彼此共存對話的主要言論路線。他們的存在，意謂歷經第一次世界大戰後世界政治的重新洗牌，列強對華政策也必須面臨重新檢視與調整。簡言之，隨著1920年代中國現況的日趨惡化，外人固然因深受其害而陷入武力干涉與靜觀中立的迷思與糾葛。

After the Washington Conference, the Powers basically respected the integrity of Chinese sovereignty by not intervening in Chinese internal affairs and keeping vigilant for resorting to force. However, as China’s situation sharply deteriorated and Chinese people gradually showed their anti-foreign tendency, the situation drastically changed. Lincheng Outrage (1923), Chechiang-Kiangsu War (1924) and May 30th Incident (1925) made a great impact on the foreigners’ public opinion and the Powers’ policy toward China. Driven by the fact that the foreign papers and chambers of commerce all urged military intervention, the Powers seemed to shift to a hard line from the moderate one. However, at the same time, as recognizing the influence of Bolshevik propaganda and the real situation of Chinese nationalism, some foreigners realized that military intervention could never change China’s situation but might trigger more violent anti-foreign agitation. Thus, they claimed the principles of the Washington Conference should be observed, absolute neutrality should be kept, and military intervention should not be allowed. The contention between military intervention and neutrality was an important dispute on the foreign public opinion toward China’s situation in 1920s. This contention symbolized a turnover of world politics after World War I as well as a necessary adjustment of the Powers’ policy towards China. In a word, with the deterioration of the situation in China in 1920s, the foreigners fell into the myth between intervention and neutrality.