Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-10-15
armenia. but it will be Christian in its


The missionaries have done another
thing-they have turned the thoughts OF
young China toward America as the
fountain Of western learning and wis
dom. For 80 years Chinese students have
been coming TO the United States, each
year In increasing numbers. There were
very few at first but those few Ameri-
can-educated boys are now occupying
high positions in government and business
affairs in China. Almost every branch OF
the Chinese imperial government has
man educated In America near the head
Of it's aanirs. The engineers who are
developing Chinese mines. who are
building Chinese railways, who are set
ting up Chinese steel mills-all were ed
ucated IN the United States.
This means simply that in all competi-
ton In Chinese trade there will be dis
position to prefer American wares, II the
American wares are there. The influence
OF American education training of Chi
nese cannot be underestimate. There
are now over 500 Chinese students In vari-
Gus educational institutions In the United
States, great number of whom have
been sent here by the Chinese government
TO be trained for governmental service.
A party of 60 government students is now
on its way to America, the vanguard of a
new and mighty movement which will
bring China and the United States into
closer and more friendly relations than
they have ever been. The United States is
the only one of the nations which RENTED
to China that portion of the indemnity for
the Boxer outrages over and above the
actual losses to American property and
interests. The Chinese government will
devote the funds thus reverting to their
treasury to the education of Chinese stu
dents in America. The 60 students soon to
arrive are the first selected under the reg
ulations Of the indemnity remission agree
ment. Others will be coming soon, so that
100 shall come this year, 100 each year for
four years, and after that 80 each year.
The average residence of each student In
the states will be eight years, so that the
fund will be about 400 govern
ment students in American schools and
colleges all the time for the next 20 or 80
years.
A special board has been created by the
prince regent in Peking for the selection
and control of these students. 1t is known
as the American educational mission bu-
reau, and is composed of members APP
pointed by the board of foreign affairs
the Waiwupu-and the board of education.
and in coming to conclusions is to consult
minister at Picking. A preparatory school
is. to be established at Picking for the pre-
Iminary instruction Of students chosen
from the different provinces of China. The
plan for the selection of the students
takes into consideration the geographical
and political divisions of the empire, and
Is frankly modelled on the plan of selec-
ton Of the Cecil Rhodes scholarship stu
dents at Oxford. These things mean that
America and China will be drawn closer
and closer together In the next few years.
The department of state is paying es-
pecial attention to trade development In
the Far East, and is laying especial en-
phasis on the Chinese situation. About
three years ago a division of far east
ern affairs was established in the state
department, and the results of its work
along limited lines have been so fruitful
that it's extension is now being accom-
plished. An appropriation by the last
congress enables the department to widen
the scope of the division. and affords
funds sufic'ent to bring able men from
the diplomatic and consular corps in the
Far East to Washington where they may
direct affairs with intelligent knowledge
of the situation on the other side of the
world.
President Taft has had a wide personal
experience in the Orient and he appre-
ciates to a greater degree than has any
one Of his predecessors the opportunities
awaiting Americans in Asia, and more
especially in China. His Shanghai speech,
delivered when he was en- tour around the
world as a member of Mr.. Roosevelt's
cabinet. marks the beginning of American
aggression in the Oriental situation. Since
he has been president he has encouraged
a forward policy at Peking which has re-
suited IN many advantages to American
interests. Mr.. Charles r. Crane, the new
minister to Picking. is a business man
who has the confidence Of the people OF
the United States. The first secretary
Of the legation, Mr.. Henry r. Fletcher,
when in charge of the legation, directed
the negotiations which resulted in the
American participation in the recent rail-
way loans made by China, and therein
he proved himself to be possessed Of the
highest qualifications for diplomatic ca
reer. With such men at Picking. and with
the large corps OF able consular officers
now stationed in China. the government Is
prepared to assist American enterprise
IN every legitimate way. II is now up
10 the American business nan to take
advantage Of the situation and save the
Chinese market for American wares.