The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-02-28

! plication wanted to acquire merit or
office Tor their generosity?
Very lkely!" said the minister who
knows?"
Guilds and Trades Unions.
But YOU have employers associations
to regulate the relations Of capital and
labor, have you not'"
Yes replied the minister. we have
such associations, but not especially TO
regulate labor. Many Of the guilds are
associated with the cities. Tho Canton
merchants of Shanghai have club and
the Ningpo merchants have one. There
are also unions in almost every branch
OF trade, tea guilds. silk guilds and
bankers guilds. Such associations, how
ever, have more to do with the prices,
discounts and the handling Of goods than
with labor matters"
How about organized labor? Does II
exist In NChlna?"
1--WE are not so advanced as you IN
that respect" replied the minister There
are many local labor organiaa uon, but
they are more like mutual life, sick
ness and accident insurance companies
than your trades unions. Indeed, VIC
have but few unions devoted to regu-2
lating hours and wages. There may be
some at the treaty ports connected with
the large factories. AT Shanghai FOR
Instance, the river for five miles Is +
ROW lined with silk mills and cotton fac
ltcrles There labor is somewhat or
ganized, notwithstanding most Of the en-
ployes are girls. They are always ready
TO strike, and do SO when they think
they are imposed upon. AS factories IN
crease in China, I suppose our labor Will
be come organized and we shall have
gu, unions and walking delegates"
How about labor on the railroads.
at is not the quletest in the world"
replied the Chinese minister. THE work
men there strike every now and then.
Just now there Is strike on the Han
kow Canton Line, which has stopped
the construction"
How the Americans Lost Gold
Mine.
"That is on the concession granted to
the American syndicate. How are the
Americans handling their concession
II don't think they are handling it
very we'll, j" replied the Chinese minister.
1T would have been a gold mine II they
had held onto it, but understand that
they have sold the control OF the road
for a comparatively small sum to Bel
glan. capitalists, That concession was a
American syndicate largely i'll return
for tile great friendship which your
country displayed towards China in the
settlement of its diCcrculties with Japan.
Different concessions In the way of loans
aid other things we're made to Russia,
Germany, France and England Tho
United States was the only nation which
did not ask for anything and was at
the same time about the most friendly to
China. AS n result our people felt CRATE
FIJI and we were glad to give your
capitalists this concession with the
! authorization of a large loan to build
| tho road and the privilege of having
| the profits of the sale Of the bonds
above ninety cents on the dollar, can't
I ronceivc why the Americans did not
/ hold one to It, As 1t is now the i3clgians
| have secured one OF the most valuable
| railroad properties OF China. The have
a large interest in the line from Hankow
II 10 Pekins and this extension gives them
! "A great trunk line from Picking to Can
| ton, tapping what is perhaps the richest
4 agricultural and industrial district
1 Of the world, inhabitated by several
hundred million people. The road viii
pay from the start and regret that
the Americans have allowed it to slip
( out Of their hands"
Are they working on it nov, Your
ENcelency2'
Yes, Work Is going OH at both ends,
and on both branches, Indeed, when |
go back home | hope to be able to
travel from Canton TO Pcking by rail-"
Chinese American Trade.
"Rut there Is plenty Of money in Chi
pie build RAILROADS.&C.
They WI DO 50 when they understand
mem peltcf we have many rich and
Welt-lO-uO, and some are lnyps,i ing I'm