The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-07-12
CHINA AND THE CHINESE.
Ex-Minister John Russell Young Talks of
This Interesting Topic.
San Francisco Chronicle.

John Russell Young, who mas carried the mp
lolatc portfolio minister to China 70" the last
four years, and whose term of Office came to a
stop owing TO the change of administration in
the government. arrived in this city, on the
Oceanic, yesterday. Mr.. Young expressed him
self thankful to return to his native country.
He is enjoying excellent health.
He will shortly proceed to his
home, in New York. When questioned
by Chronicle reporter in regard to the POSSIBLE
ity of his successor, Mr. DENLY, carrying out his
scheme of making China the market of surplus
American products, Mr. Young preferred 10 re-
main silent on the subject, and did not desire to
criticse either the utterances or the projects of
Minister DENLY To the following questions,
however, Mr. Young made ready responses:
HAS the strict enforcement of the restriction
act here" asked the reporter, had any effect on
the relations Of the American minister with the
Chinese court?"
NO" replied Mr. Young, Except in this way:
that the Chinese are too proud to express any
feeling of resentment, and at the same time
they are keen enough to reserve the question as
offset to any demand we may make upon
them. To understand the exact feeling of the
Chinese imperial authorities, it is necessary to
understand the peculiar constitution OF the
Chinese government Immigration does not
come from China, but from province of China,
and the authorities in Picking take about as
much interest in immigration from Can
ton as the British government does in
the Manitoba quarrels Furthermore, in China
the provinces ara under vceroys, with almost
Independent powers. These really states
under empire. The Picking policy is, with
certain moderate reservations, of ceremonial
or financial nature, to allow men to do as they
please. The policy Of the Canton Viceroy has
been to prevent negotiation, and local restric-
tons upon immigration are more severe
than those imposed by the treaty Conse-
Quence, when the question comes before
me, as the result of popular excitement in Cali
fornia, and the government instructed me to
make due representations to the EMPEROR
went to Hong Kong and Canton. [ found that
the Chinese were carrying out the provisions of
the treaty with fidelity. They were going
further than We wished them to so. In the case
of an American house which accepted large obi
cations for Transporting coolies to Peru, their
regulations were so severe as to lead to the bank
ruptcy of the house. The regulations at present
are even more severe than those to which refer.
You may ask them how it is that Cinnamon
come to California: In this way: Hong
Kong is British settlement within
seven hours travel of Canton We have no
treaty preventing Cinnamon leaving Canton and
going to Hong Kong. Once in Hong Kong they
are under the British flag, and China has no
more control over tho movements of her sub
jects than Germany would have in the case of
German subjects embarkng from Liverpool /
do not know Of a case of laXlty. and respecting
the feelings of California upon the subject,
took special pains to find out where the Chinese
government failed to carry out in it's extreme
The proper place to deal with immigration is in
London, not in Picking"
From your experience" asked the reporter,
lis there any substantial reason to hope for
great enlargement OF our trade with China,
as Colonel DENLY, the new minister, thinks
there isF
'ln the last year." replied Mr.. Young 1--WE
have had the largest fleets of steamers
III the coastng trade transferred to the
American hag-what was known as the
Of ,irt- tbroa
steamers. When / went to China our flag
was floating over o few lorchas and river
boats. 1t is now floating in every port in
China. see no reason why positive, generous
policy, respecting at once the necessities OF Cali
forna in regard to the industrial interests, and
at the same time the susceptibilties and the in
dependence of the Chinese. keeping ourselves
apart from the complications of Western powers,
maintaining toward China always sincere and
friendly attitudes, should not make us in time
dominant power. Nature has done SO already.
We are the next-door neighbor of China and
Japan. We are not hampered by
dynastc or territorial considerations.
and an American minister who
pursues an independent policy can win and hold
the confidence of tho Chinese. / never found
any trouble in arranging public questions with
the Chinese government, and always found the
prince and his secretaries amenable to justice
and reason. They paid claims that have been il
abeyance and personally am indebted to them
Have not the British and German merchants
the monopoly of the foreign trade in all the
Chinese open ports?"
Ninety per cent of the foreign trade of China
is in the hands OF the English and Americans.
OF this, [ should say 20 per cent is English and
20 American. with the latter interest growing
every day. In petroleum, piece goods, silk and
tea. | think in time we shall control the Chinese
trade, and as these are the staples of Chinese
trade, it is, in my opinion. only question of
: n1nI
commercial policy"
Has the Chinese government shown any de-
sire to employ American engineers in the con-
struction of steamships and raiiwaysr
Eyes, replied Mr. Young briefly
HAS there really been any marked advance
in European manufactures or inventions calling
for foreign skilled labor while you have been in
China" was the next question asked
1--WE nave Americans in the educational de-
partment, mines and i'll the military and naval
service, was the reply. The demand for
skilled labor for the last two years has been
kept in allegiance by the impending war. which
daIkened and hindered everything Now that
the war clouds have passed away, there is no
reason why American genius should not have
commanding influence in China"
rs the American minister to Picking in a sit
uation to aid American trade in China, or to
secure positions for American engineers or other
skilled operatves!'
'''rhe American minister to Picking. in my
with the Chinese, can have a paramount impor
lance"
Did the change of administration have any
effect on the Chinese authorities: do they look
for more favors from Cleveland than they re-
ceivei from Arthur"
1T made no impression on them at all What
the Chinese regard is not the personnel of
government. but the government Itself They
care nothing about politics, and DO not
understand them. The two Americans who
bYva made tba most iunrcScior IN the Chinese
mind are Buringame and Grant. Before leaving
Picking. the Prince came to my legation and
charged me with special message of sympathy
and regard to General Grant in his illness. The
Emperor of Japan sent his Foreign Minister
message of the same tenor. They had met Grant
during his tour and had personal regard
for him Of an exceptional character"
lis there any prospect of an American minis
ter whose term of service is usually limited to
tour years, competing with Sir Robert Hart, the
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