Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-02-15
CAUSED BY STUDENTS
BASIS OF THE ANTI-AMERICAN
FEELING IN CHINA.

From the many reports received by the
State Department from it's representatives
| in the east relative to the anti-AmeficaA
| boycott, its extent the prospects OF Its con-
| tinuance and the amount of injury 1t has
| inflicted on United States trade, two, Sc
| lected at random. but rejecting conditions
| in the north and in the south have been
made public. 1t will be noted that In neith-
er is there any hint OF violence or OF an In
tention to infure the persons or property OF
foreigners: the movement is in fact con-
fined strictly to trade limits.
The report from north China brings UP
| the history of events to the close 1905. AT
that date the boycott movement had been
nearly all talk In the principal cities.
Says the correspondent
THE student class, the willing work
ers of the boycott organization, has done its
best to keep the issue alive and to some ex-
tent has succeeded. much against the wishes
of the merchants. who have had enough and
never want to zee another boycott, But
this talk and undercurrent of agitation has
not been shown to any great extent in the
business affairs. related to American prod
ucts.
Timidity in Buying.
There has been timidity in buying and in
some instances cancellation of orders
under the spur of threats, but despite de-
malls from some Americans, 1t Is well known
to the majority that such conduct on the
part of Chinese buyers has not been the
rule This statement. however, does not ap-
ply to the product of the Standard OIL Com
pany, which has been opposed in many
places outside Of the principle cities of north
China. AS to that condition 1t can only be
said that thorough investigation will prove
that trade competition has as much to do
with it as Chinese antagonism. That UNDER
handed methods have been employed
against the Standard OIL Company and the
British-American Company is becoming
palmer every day.
AT present the attack on these two COM
panies is apparently conferred in and around
Hankow, where obscene circulars have APP
peared and also many evidences of I'M
friendly intent. But at Soochow, Chink-
lang, Changshow, Wuhu, kfukfaDg and
many other places tributary to and on the
Yangtse there have also been more or less
antagonism of late AS stated, the mer-
chants are against the boycott, but under
the last of the guilds they must give a
half-hearted acquieScence at least. If the
officials so desire they can squelch the
recrudescence OF the movement in this Sec
ton and by SO doing will gain the support
of the merchants. But, again, there is the
row powerful student class, which, under
the teachings of foreign educated Chinese,
and perhaps others not friendly to Ameri-
can interests where they conflict with their
own, has dev Hoped an influence recognized
by officials, guilds merchants and labor
ers."
In Southern China.
From south China and, In fact clear
down to the straits settlements comes the
report that there is no improvement in the
boycott situation; trade is badly affected In
most lines, and there is little or no business
outside the small European trade. An
American sewing machine company reports
that Chinese are afraid to go into their
places. although some would like to buy,
but dare not have machine in their pos
session. Still the authorities claim there
is no organization here. If the boycott is
called off tomorrow 1t will take many years
to remove the i'll effect from the injury
already done. AT Penang American firms
could not move any American goods in
their sodowrs. and Chinese were refusing
to take the goods which they had already
ordered"
Chief Clerk Denby's Views.
Chief Clerk DENLY of the State Depart
ment, who has spent many years in China.
was before a subcommittee of the House
committee On foreign affairs today and
made a statement relative to the Chinese
boycott of American goods. The commit
tee had under consideration the Foster bill
TO amend the Chinese exclusion law. Mr..
DENLY said the boycott was originally In
tended to correct the evils growing out OF
the indignities imposed upon the Chinese
exempt classes in this country, but that It's
purpose now was to accomplish the repeal
of the existing exclusion act. He conceded
that the admission of coolies would greatly
increase our trade with China but thought
It would be an increase earned at great
cost. The boycott is a trade boycott, and
not q personal one.
Mr.. DENLY declared. however, that 1t was
q fact that American trade with China had
actually increa sed since the boycott began.
He attributed this condition to the fact
that Manchuria, which had been closed up
because of the war, was now open, and
to the further fact of conditions growing
out of the war, including the necessity for
increased supplies.