Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-08-30
CHINESE STATESMEN PLEASED.
Gratified at the Portsmouth Peace
Agreement.

The conclusion of peace between Japan
and Russia is an event that gives great
cause of satisfaction to the Chinese. While
no one connected with the Chinese legation
in this city will discuss the diplomatic side
of this question as it affects China. yet 1t
is known to those who have been in the
confidence of the representatives of the
celestial empire that Chinese statesmen
were never SO well pleased over the out
look of their country as today.
The day when China has been guided in
national policies by men who know nothing
of the world beyond the great wall of China
has passed. and today the fortunes of the
empire are being dictated by men who have
been educated In the universities of the
world and who have studied the questions
relating to the future of China from a uni
yersal standpoint, The Chinese are salts
fed that there has been nothing tn connec-
ton with the conclusion of peace between
Japan and Russia detrimental to the inter-
ests of their country. In the first place.
there will be large amounts to be paid by
both Japan and Russia to Chinese citizens
who have been damaged by the war. But,
on the other hand there are no obligations
so far those Interested in the Chinese
situation know, which have been incurred
to embarrass China in the least. The Rus
slams will get out of Manchuria. as will the
Japanese, so far as military operations are
concerned, although the Japanese influence
in China Is expected to grow continually.
1neTe are mefl VINO are tHOTOuSlly Ia
miliar with the course that has been taken
by the Chinese since the war with Japan
who declare that the time is not far dis
tant when the Chinese will not need outside
assistance in order to insure the integrity
of the empire, and that II any military force
Is required in order to keep neighbOring ma
tions out of Manchuria or any other part
of China that force will be made up of
Chinese soldiers.
1t Is declared by these men that the world
is not fully aware of what China has done
in the way of building up her military es-
Establishment during the past few years.
The guns and ammunition that Will be
needed by the military establishment are
being made by the Chinese on Chinese soil,
so that the nation is becoming independent
in the means of securing modern arms ana
ammunition. The drilling of the Chinese
troops, which has been largely by the Jap
anese officers, has been along the most mod
ern methods. The success achieved by the
Japanese has now given them the highest
standing among the Chinese. who accept
them as the best instructors 1t Is possible
to get. This fact alone will make the Jap
anese, 1t is said, the dominant influence in
China so long any outside nation con-
tinues to influence China's Affairs.
But the condition that now Vkists In Man
churia Will insure the open door for
the future. The Chinese empire has prac-
tically free trade with the nations OF the
world as the tariff charged is purely in the
nature of revenue raising and Is not more
than per cent ad valorem on imports
The duty that exceeds that amount is on
opium. which is charged a much higher
rate In order to discourage the trade.