The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-01-20

Irlai occupations, or may soon become su-
perior and enter into competition, as 1t is
able to carry the cost of production to so
low a level-from fifteen to twenty centesi-
mi-that a workman can be had for 5
francs CsD month; barber for rs centes-
imi day; a spinner for 90 centesimi, and
that Chinaman can adapt himself to for
eign lands, to the coarsest food, can live
on rats and pile together in novels; that he
possesses extraordinary manual capacity.
which is unattainable by the European.
The reflex action is injurious to some in
dustries, such as silks and ceramics, and
this will become ruinous in many others.
God forbid that whole populations should
follow in the wake of these columns of
cmigrants and industrial laborers. as nap-
pened with the Germanic tribes in the Mid
die Ages. 1t is well enough to assert that
we shall always be superior, and it will be
true in war, but when an invasion of grass
hoppers, ants or rats makes its appearance.
can even the strongest man defend himself
with cannons? In the end he is conquered
by the enormous masses Of invaders.
A PERTINENT QUESTION.
Moreover, the question arises what are
China? They certainly do not consist In
having lands for colonization. because there
is not an inch of ground there which is not
already cultivated even to excess. Neither
can an immediate increase in the exporta-
ton Of goods be hoped for. The wants of
the Chinese are of the most restricted
description, and, in the second place, the
women are almost slaves. and as that
slavery forms the cornerstone of Chinese
society it cannot be altered. The Chinese
have clothing, houses, amusements which
are not subject to fashion. During the
whole of the year 1895 merchandise to the
amount of 100000 francs only could be
imported into the country, the greater
part consisting of cotton, opium, rice and
petroleum land opium is not an European
producD. with barely 21,OO0,0OO worth of
textile fabrics and 100000 worth of
machinery. And what need Is there for
augmenting the ports in order to sell these
goods? Germany increased her imports
from 900 to rs, 0O0, 900 in ten years. with
out augmenting her ports, and England
with an augmentation of ports is at a
discount and worse still for export
If the whole of China belonged to Euro
peans the Chinese would not sell their
merchandise more cheaply. But it is said
that with conquest and railroads new needs
would arise; but If the Chinese who have
been long years in America have under
gone no change how would they change at
home? Moreover. in order to acquire new
products one must have the wherewithal
to pay for them, and where are these new
| resources to be found? 1t is asserted that
inportations have increased to a note
worthy extent during the last few years.
but the depreciation in the value Of the
| tael is lost sight of. and when we make
| the calculation we see that from 1873 to
| 1879 they increased only to the value of
| s21, 100000. The most easy and dangerous
| probability is that with railways and the
| low price of labor and the masses of coal
| China will become an exporter instead of
| importer. The Kolnische Zeitung, like
many other German publications, con-
| tinues to talk of the great advantages
which Germany will acquire with occu-
| patton, and demands a further increase
| of the navy; but with what object If all
| the other states while taking possession of
ports say-with the exception of Russia
| that access will remain free to all coun-
| tries? Why this desire to go hunting in
| the affairs of China? The present revolt
| shows that this country, which was treated
| like another republic of San Marine, is
| waking up and does not wish to remain
under the yoke of Europe. BY attempt
| ing to exaggerate their oppression the
Europeans will exasperate this people, will
| spur them on to more dangerous, because
/ better prepared. uprisings.
A GREATER PERIL.
| And still greater peril lies in this. that.
seeing themselves incompletely rescued
from the Manchu government, they will
| throw themselves into the arms of Japan.
| and then it will not only become necessary
to treat with an immense. well-organized
| power but with one which will wish to
seize in its turn all the foreign markets
which are dependent upon Europe. Only
few years separate the Prussia of Jena
| from that of 1911, and. by greater irony,
| China will be indebted for her transforma-
| ton to her most implacable enemies. The
military reorganization which comes from
Europe is beginning to make it's way into
| China. China has imported 10000 rifles of
the most perfect European type If China
| be occupied, not less than 100 COO francs
| will be required for every fort that Is con-
| structed there, and 10000, 600 a year for it's
maintenance If the climatic conditions
| permit of it's being done at all; and this
| year we have seen the tremendous diff
| Guilty which has been experienced in a still
greater degree during the cold season with
| an army much smaller than the one as
| sumed. and much greater fixed sum for
| provisioning it.
| In any case the definite conquest by
] means of an army of occupation maintained
| constantly in China in the midst of a hos
+! tile population, an inimical climate would
| involve peris infinitely great in COMPARE
/ son with the interests of the few thou
sands of Europeans whom it is a question
| of protecting, not TO reckon in the fact
| that if China really does become European
| lied, as is the most ardent expansionist' s
| desire, we shall completely arm against US
an enemy VINO. UP TO the present time. is
| civilized after his own fashion and far less
| to be feared. Hence North America Is act
! ing wisely in not allowing herself to be