The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-09-26

finally to enter the markets of the world.
We favor the associated policy Of recip-
rocity so directed as to open our markets
on favorable terms for what We do not
ourselves produce in return for free for
eign markets. In the further interest OF
American workmen we favor a more eff
fective restriction of the immigration OF
cheap labor from foreign lands. the eX-
tension of opportunities of education for
working children, the raising Of the age
limit for child labor. the protection of
free labor as against contract convict
labor and an effective system of labor
insurance"
The Democratic declaration concerning
labor is specific. The Republican declara-
ton is general
The Chinese situation.
George C. Gorham, author of the Demo-
cratic campaign book for 1900, in discussing
the Chinese fabf situation, says:
IF China should escape ACKNOWLEDGMENT
in the fierce struggle between the Euro
pean powers for advantages. It would be
because of their dread of each other. 1t Is
such a dread that has long prevented the
ACKNOWLEDGMENT of Turkey and made it the
sick man of Europe at whose bedside
Great Britain and Russia alternately play
the nurse. China may long live as the
sick man of Asia The powers would still
have their spheres of influence. or spheres
of interest as the later phrase goes in
British diplomacy. In that case the United
States might reasonably hope that the
powers would observe at least the exter-
mails of courtesy and fair play toward us.
Then what?
Imagine the Chinese Empire open to
friendly intercourse with all the world
through all her ports. Imagine invested
capital to be as safe there as IN Europe or
America. Would China then be a great
market for the products of the United
States, or would she become the great
workshop to fill the markets in the United
States? II the Chinaman is to wear mod
crn clothing and patent leather shoes and
silk hats will he buy them of us or make
them at ho.ue, with surplus enough to sup
ply the United States? If his daughters
are to play the piano will he buy them in
the United States, or will there be Chinese
piano makers who will supply both China
and the United States with these instru-
ments at 40 per cent less than The present
cost? If they overcome their hostility to
railroads Will they make rails from their
own iron. using their own coal, or will
they come to us for it? In brief, with labor
unlimited in a country of four hundred mil
ergy, and unequaled in patience and indus
try and glad to work for whatever will
ward off starvation, will the Chinese come
either to Europe or America for manufac-
tured fabrics or will they manufacture
them IT home?
"A still more important question is: VIII
American capital continue to employ
American labor to manufacture fabrics for
The American market. or will capital es-
41Ix 1t-1.
Chinese labor in its own country manufac-
ture the fabrics now being manufactured
in America and Europe by American and
European labor? The labor of fifty mil
lions of people can be had in China at
whatever price will enable the fnanufac-
turers there to underselI American and
European fabrics. No tariff wall can be
built high enough to keep out the work
OF these ingenious, patient, and industri-
Gus people. There is nothing they cannot
learn to do. and quickly, too. They car
not only weave our fabrics. but they can
soon learn to manufacture the machinery
With which they are woven They will
learn to make locomotives, watches. and
Maxim guns. Their imports from the
United States would consist mainly OF
gold coin and such raw material as they
cannot produce or buy cheaper in other
countries. They are good traders. They
will never Jay more for anything. than
it would cost them to make 1t. Fan the
bars are let down between us End them,
of laws. traditions. and treaty limitations.
they will never allow Americans or Eu-
ropeans to make anything for themselves
which can be made cheaper in China and
delivered in the ports OF the Western
countries.
There is vast wealth in China, and as
many native shrewd business men as are
needed to exploit it under an open-door
policy. Add to this the business ability
and the financial daring OF the men train
ed in the atmosphere of our trusts, and
the capital they could command for use in
China, and that ancient Empire would
lead the industrial procession of the
world. 1t would be the worlds workshop.
and the Western nations now so anxious
for the open door and SO confident of
being able to make China subordinate.
would see Western civilization crippled
and set back indefinitely by the destruc-
ton of a vast element of its middle class
for the mere want of work.
American energy. enterprise, ambition,
and thrift can do all things that are pos
sible. but it Is not possible to conceive of
any combination that would save the in
dustrial systems of Europe or America
when brought into competition with
of the capital of the world
and the cheap labor of Chinese on Chi
nose GRAND