New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-11-10
CHINA'S RAPIDAW AK ENING
QUICK DEVELOPMENT OF LATENT
POWERS OF THE CHINESE
AMAZES OBSERVERS.
IBY TELEGRAPH To THE TRIBUNE


Washington. Nov. s.-The rapidity with which the
Chinese are awakening from the somnolence of
centuries and developing their extraordinary latent
powers is source of amazement to those who have
watched China closely. The empire brought face
to face with its deficiencies in the conflict with
Japan and compelled 10 realize the superiority of
American and European civilization during the in
vasion which followed the Boxer instruction. and
II Is to-day being forced subordinate its natural
Oriental inertia to the grim necessity of raising an
indemnity fund of such magnitude would bank
rupt most civilized nations.
While testimony to this effect from many
sources, seldom has it been we'll brought out as
in recent letter addressed TO the Secretary of
Agriculture by David G. Farchild. the United
States official agricultural explorer, man of wide
experience Writing from Taku he say:
The accounts of the Cninaman's wonderful ability
puted want of inventive ability does not stand the
test These conceptions are falsely colored either
Shina or the disappointment Of the old white resi-,
inventive powers.
will serve to illustrate how false this Idea is. In
Taku, during the construction recently Of some
to UNLOAD or coal the incoming steamers the PROB
been constructed high framework, became a
puzzling one Large derricks and expensive steam
master workmen suggested placing under the light
baskets packed with sand He explained that by
knocking out the stays the lighter would be left
punctgrng Of the baskets allowing the sand 70 70
to settle to the desired level This Inexpensive
suggestion of the Chinese workman was followed
success and saved both time and money.
Mr.. Fairchd cites several instances illustra-
tive of the point. Referring to the China
mans ability to money. he notes the recent
death of n comparatively humble Chinaman
whose estate was valued at 100000. Illustrative
of the development Of the Chinese shipping trade.
he states that in 1895 scarcely single launch
was owned in Canton. while to-day there are be-
tween three hundred and four hundred mostly
owned, and in large part built by Chinese" over
eighty having been turned out in a single Chinese
shipyard last year. The Hong-Kong and Wampoo
Dock Company he continues, pays we'll that
its stock is quoted $3.50, and all of the laborers
Chinese only the managers and draughtsmen
being Europeans. Plans now in progress TO
build in Hong-Kong the largest dockyard in the
world, slip OF which is TO be 900 feet long. or
100 feet longer than the largest slip IN the new
Krupp yard Kiel." AprOpos of Chinese manu-
facture Of arms and ammunition, he says:
An officer in the British army assures me that
the Chinese arsenal at Tien-Tsin is manufacturing
f bnnr ans S nod arms which fa very 659 snCf
gIe and this without even the supervision Of
The. effect Of the. Boxer troubles viii be far
reachlng for the Chinese Government in order 70
pay, tne war Indemnity; has levied tax OF the
equivalent Of five American cents year on each
rafter on every house in the country. Already the
ElGeIoiy IN Canton is having great difhSulty In
collecting taxes, and. while people living there
toward foreigners. one Of the results of the war
Will be 10 change the ideas Of the upper class
Chinaman regarding Western methods and make
him more willing 10 accept them. Foreigners come
IN for share in the war tax. and already pay
about > ner cent ad valorem duty practically
everything imported
The precision OF movement the concentration
the earnestness OF application and the continual
activity which eXerted the pettiest
trihes cannot fail when employed I'm the manu-
facture OF articles which the white wants. 70
have a marked influence upon the market supply
Of such goods. Whether you watch the countless
1unks or sampani along the waterways or tostle
with the crowds in the narrow thoroughfares the
impression is the same-you are in the midst OF
millions Of the Industrious temperate and
philosophically minded people in the world