Morning journal and courier., 1883-02-23
Friday, Feb. 28, 1888.
CHINA AND THE FREE TRADERS.

1 CHINA AND THE FREE TRADERS
 A correspondent of this paper has recently laid before it's readers some facts indicating that China is to be great military power. A correspondent of the Boston Transcript gives some interesting information concern l ing the growth and prospects of the manu- | featuring interests of China. He shows that the introduction of the most approved ma chinery among the shrewd, patient and la borious people of that country, as capable of manufacturing cotton, silk, shoes and other goods, as are the people of the United States, becomes important when it is remembered that China has four hundred and fifty mil lions of people, with 8 seacoast of 2, 500 miles, and has within itself competition with the entife world.
 The price of labor in China is about one fourth of that paid in the United States. Coal exists in China and can also be easily imported from Australia Considering these and other Advantages the ITansc,Tpt's corre- spondent does not hesitate to predict that the future willsee woolen, cotton, silk, jute and other goods manufactured in China sold in Boston. The following significant news
 
 San Francisco: ''The United States Consul General at Shanghai and the minister at Pe- king have protested against the action of the Ranking viceroy in obstructing the cotton yarn company of Mir. Wetmore and the man. ufacture of silk by Russell S Co.,, and others who are establishing manufactories in the sea- port towns. Herr von Brandt. the German envoy, has given the Picking government to understand that any attempt to carry out an obstructive policy toward his countrymen will be opposed by force" With Chinese ''cheap labor" it will not be surprising if these manufactories continue to multiply and if their products enter into serious competi ton with those of this and other countries.
 It is also predicted that as cotton, silk and woolen goods can be made at greatly less cost for labor in Chinese city than in any place in America, there is nothing more cer- tain than that Americans and Europeans also, will plant factories in China These will sooner or later pass into Chinese owner: ship. and as Chinamen will work for their fellow countrymen for ten per cent. less than for. Americans or Europeans, the native fac tory owners will be able to bankrupt the capital of foreigners.
 These facts and predictions are made the basis of a neat little argument by the Brook lyn U7ai07a-Aryus, which says: The Demo- crats have been loud in their demands that the Chinese must leave this country upon the ground that they cheapen labor, and that they can work, and save, upon pay on which a white man would be literally starved. In the interest of the workingman, the Demo crats have protested against the almond-eyed celestials being allowed to come into compe- tition with their white brethren, and have urged legislation to drive them from these shores. Are they anxious to open our ports to importations of goods manufac- tured by the Chinese at about one-fourth the cost that they can be produced here? If the Democrats were sincere in trying to drive the Chinese from our shores to pre- vent the cheapness of labor, can they also be sincere in advocating the free importation of Chinese productions, which can be sold at less than half what they cost to manufacture here?