New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-08-26
CHINESE RAILROADS. AND FOREIGN LoAy

The protest of the gentry OF HOopeh against
the foreign loan for the HankOw- Szechuen rail-
road is a strikingly characteristic manifestation
at once Of the rampant spirit OF China for the
Chinese" which now prevails in some parts Of
that empire and of the principle Of local au-
tonomy which has for ages been one of the
most marked and significant features of the
Chinese system. HOOpeh, il may be observed by
way of explanation is one OF the provinces
which are most interested in having the rail-
road built 1t occupies the very centre Of the
empire. at the head OF deep water navigation
Of the Yangtse River which traverses it from
end TO end, and is one Of the most populous
provinces Of the empire. having approximately.
36.000.G00 inhabitants; and the proposed rail
road is 10 connect its capital, the vast twin
city Of MISUNDERSTANDING, the second city in
population and the greatest inland river port in
China, with the province of Szechuen. which
adjoins Hoopeh at the west. extends To the Dor
ders Of Tibet and is 10y far the most pOpulous
province in the empire, having nearly T0.Go00OO
inhabitants. The commercial importance of
such n railroad 10 the whole empire more
especially 10 the two provinces, and most of
all. 20 HOOpeh. is obvious
IL is to he observed that the protest is not at
all against the American participation in the
loan which has been secured by our State De-
partment and diplomatic service in the face of
much opposition and i'm fulfilment of that prin-
ciple Of equal privilege and opportunity TO
which on the American initiative the nations of
the world have committed themselves. Indeed.
il is probable that the people OF Hoopeh and of
all China would rather get capital from Amer
lea than from any other country The protest
is therefore not because of but rather In spite
of American participation and is directed
no Of
whatsoever. The idea of the professionals is that
instead of borrowing money abroad and thus
giving foreigners lien upon and a certain con-
troll of her railroads China should build her
railroads with her own money and thus herself
own and control them absolutely in all respects.
We must regard that ambition praisewOrthy.
provided that il is practical. of which there
seems 10 he much doubt. The best informed
opinion is said 10 he to the effect that foreign
capital il Indispensable To the performance of
such undertakings i'm China. III the gentry of
HOopeh could provide the necessary capital
themselves, their protest against a foreign loan
might be regarded as valid. but otherwise it can
not he; for To say that rather than employ for
eign capital the road should not be built at ali
would be a grave mistake. OF course the Amer
lean contention has been not that China should
accept foreign capital i'm preference 10 her own
but merely that if she does make a foreign loan
America shall have an opportunity TO share in
IL on equal terms with other nations
The incident is also. as we have said a re-
minder OF the large degree of local autonomy
which exists in China and OF the comparative
slightness and weakness OF the central govern
ment. Zach province as described by CAPTAIN
Brinkley, is an independent state, so far as its
corporate existence is concerned. II has its
own army, its own fiscal system, its own man.
ners and customs. The fundamental principle
Is that as long as a province lives in peace
within its borders the central government shall
leave ii in peace. OF course this system affords
the explanation OF such protest as that which
has been made I'm Hoopeh. According To the
principle of provincial autonomy. a railroad in
province is something for the province itself
10 look after, and 50 strongly seated is that
principle that the men Of HoOpeh declare that