Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1905-08-30
CHINA AND BOYCOTT,
The Ban on American Goods Over
shadows the Peace Question.

shadows the Peace Question.
Picking, Aug. 30.-Nhe American boy
colt almost overshadows the peace
negotiations as a topic of interest In
China. Accounts reaching Peking from
trading centers indicate that the move
ment attained its greatest strength
early in August and since then has
been decreasing. Nowhere except In
Shanghai has American business re-
ceived a serious blow. The boycott
would have been equally successful at
Tientsin, which is distributive mar
ket for American goods. second only
to Shanghai, except for the determin-
ed repression of Yuan Shikai, who is
almost the only Chinese viceroy really
ruling his own province.
The Picking government in response
to Minister Rockhill's representations,
issued Instructions to provincial Of
ficials which read well, but which the
officials construe with the belief that
the government sympathizes with the
sentiment against the exclusion or
American goods, although Obliged for
mally to oppose the method Of its ex-
istence. Several minor officials are Inn
plicated in the movement at Shanghai
and its leader holds the rank OF taotai.
The government might punish them by
depriving them of honors, according to
the Chinese custom, if 1t were in earn
est.
Many important merchants who en-
parked in the boycott, now repent of
the scheme, but it has passed beyond
their control into the hands of agi-
tators, the majority of whom are stu
dents, many recently returned from
Japan, and some from America, who
relate at meetings and in newspapers
lurid stories of outrages received at
the hands of American immigration Of
ficials. The agitators are active prin-
cipals in the central and southern cit
les. They have abandoned the original
demand that Chinese students and
merchants be admitted to America as
freely as those of other nationalities.
and now are demanding the unrestrict-
ed entry of all Chinese. They argue
that if this movement succeeds the
same coercion may be- employed
against Canada. Australia, Java and all
countries in which Chinese live.
Press is Active.
The native newspapers, which have
become influential only since the boxer
uprising and the number whereof is
multiplying are powerful factor in
T.. ming the agitation. The best in
formed foreigners believe that the
boycott has passed it's climax and will
gradually subside, that the cessation
Of orders for American goods Is mere
ly temporary, and that decrease OF
orders for American goods will result
in corresponding increase in demand
later in the year.
The principal piece goods merchants
Of Shanghai telegraphed to Viceroy
Yuan Shakai. proposing to have Tien-
tsin consignments shipped directly to
Tientsin, instead Of through Shanghai,
as heretofore, and requesting him to
take measures to stop the boycott
thereof, and Yuan's civil administra-
tor issued a proclamation accord
ingly.
The end Of the Russo-J Japanese war,
by opening Manchuria, would give a
great impetus to American trade. That
country practically has been closed to
imports turnout the war. largely be-
cause the armies monopolize all means
Of transportation.
Most American products sold in
China are handled by German and
British firms on commission, and the
bulk OF losses falls upon them. What
is considered the greatest significance
of the boycott is the possibility of flu
ture use of this. method of coercion if
the first attempt succeeds.
The guilds which launched the move
ment are forming permanent organi-
cation, and have plenty of funds to
send orators about the country and
SOW boycott circulars broadcast. They
boast of receiving many subscriptions
from American sympathizers Proper
.tionately as the first boycott succeeds,
the weapon may be expected to be used
against any government that offends
the Chinese.