Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-11-03
FAIRBANKS FOR CHINA
Senator CuIIom'S Suggestion
REGARDED as Appropriate.
ACCEPTABLE, Is OPINION
Qualifications for Post Appeal to
Asiatic Interests.
MIGHT BE MADE EMBASSY
Self-Government Experiments in
Oriental Empire-opposition to
Government Tax Plans.
MIGHT BE MADE EMBASSY
RN WILLIAM Z CIRTIS.

government lax IlduS.
BY, WILLIAM f. CURTIS.
Written for The Star and the Chicago Record
Herald.
Senator Cullom has suggested to Secre-
tary Knox that former Vice President
Fairbanks be offered the Chinese mission.
The appropriateness of the appointment
las been universally approved by every
one 10 whom ii has been suggested. 1t
is believed by close friends of Mr.. Fair
banks that he would accept such an offer
If the situation were made clear 10 him.
The Chinese government feels mort-
fed and chagrined because that mission
has been declined by several men to
whom It has been offered, and because
Of the Crane incident for the same rea-
son 1t will be difficult to obtain the proper
sort of man for the office.
It il important that a man of dignity,
discretion and Judgment be sent to China
Just now. for the interests Of that en-
pire as well as for the interests of the
United States. During the next quarter
of a century China will be the scene OF
the greatest material development on the
earth's surface, and problems of the
gravest Importance will be constantly
arising to puzzle statesmen who control
the destinies of that empire.
The first step in securing a representa-
tive parliament has already been taken.
Adoption of a constitution is now under
consideration.
No other country Is trusted by the Chi
nese so far or thoroughly as is the
United States. They know we have no
Interior motives to govern our advice and
no desire for conquest And no man Is
better qualified TO guide and counsel the
Chinese government in such matters as
Charles W. Fairbanks.
What China Plans.
During the immediate future. many
concessions are to be granted and con-
tracts of international significance and
responsibility are to be made: loans are
to be negotiated: many enterprises for
the development of the material resources
OF the empire are to be undertaken; the
school system is to be extended new sys-
TENS of taxation are to be adopted, and
organization of legislative and executive
bodies i'm the municipalities and provinces
Is to go forward.
The Chinese government has recently
ordered eomnlission-consisting of a
brother of the regent, a prince Of the i'm
perial family. naval officer and Sir
Cheng-Tung, recently minister to the
United States-to visit Europe and this
country for the purpose of reporting
struction of a navy. The prince goes to
give the embassy imperial dignity, the
naval officer to make technical reports
and Sir Cheng-Tung to look after the
financial and diplomatic features Of the
mission.
In several provinces railway enterprises
have been undertaken by local mandarins,
who Will furnish the funds and control
the property, but will require professional
assistance from foreign countries They
nave already asked suggestions and rec
concentrations from the United States.
A great deal has been said in cable
dispatches about the loan now being ne
gotiated by the Chinese government and
It's division among the several nations
including the United States; there has
been great deal said also concerning a
recent treaty entered into by China and
Japan for the material development of
Manchuria.
The Chinese give Japan the right to
build railways and develop mines. Both
governments insist that these concessions
are not to the exclusion Of other nations
and that the treaty does not close the
"open door which Secretary Hay secur- |
ed for us in the Chinese empire.
Nevertheless and notwithstanding our |
close friendship with Japan, the situation |
requires the attention of diplomatist
Of more than usual tact and sagacity.
And none could be selected who would
exercise greater diligence or be of
greater usefulness than Mr.. Fairbanks
His experience in dealing with impor-
tant business matters affecting the great
corpoI atoms for which he has been coun-
sci would be of value and especially
qualify him for such delicate duties.
China's Welcome to Fairbanks.
Mr.. Fairbanks recently spent a month
at Picking, where he was received with
unusual honors such as would be con-
ferred upon a royal visitor. All reports
from there agree that he made a most
Ia
and mandarins with whom he came in
contact
He became deeply interested in the
Chinese situation. and has written to
friends In this country concerning the
importance of participation by people of
the United States In the development of
the Chinese empire. He has also taken
an earnest part in the encourag cement of
the laymen's missionary movement. now
In progress in this country, particularly
its bearings upon the Chinese.
These communications encourage the
friends of Mr.. Fairbanks and those who
are anxious for the proper representation
of this government at Picking to believe
that he would accept that mission for
the opportunity that IL would offer him
10 promote the welfare OF both countries
Hitnerto' when MS name has been men
toned In connection with the British
embassy he has been positive in his re-
fusal to even consider the subject. Hell
has explained. in the first place. that he
sibilities of such "A position: that his
means would not permit him to offer the
same hospitality Whitelaw Reid has
shown. and that he would not like to
excite comparisons.
He has also expressed a desire to re-
turn To the practice of his profession, in
order to Increase his income. and has al
ready arranged to reopen the law Office
he occupied before he was elected to the
Senate.
but the Chinese situation would un-
doubtedly appeal TO him very strongly
Under the circumstances there will be no
sacrifice OF dignity in accepting it, and
none OF the objections that would arise in
connection with European missions would
stand In his way
Furthermore. IL is probable that the
Chinese government would agree to ele-
waite its mission here TO the rank of an
embassy I'm order to secure so distin-
guished an addition Mr.. Fairbanks to
the diplomatic coterie at Picking.
Difficulties Removed.
Some years ago such a suggestion was
rejected by China on the ground that I'M
der ordinary diplomatic usage an ambas-
sador holds the right to confer person
ally with the sovereign to whom he Is
accredited. He is recognized as the rep
resentative of the head of his own gov