Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-12-06
fairs during the past year has again been

fairs during the past year mas again peeA
China.
It is gratifying to, note that the nego-
tiations for a loan to the Chinese govern
ment for the construction Of the trunk
railway lines from Hankow southwark to
Canton and westward through the
Yangtse valley. known as the Hukuane
tiyes of the various financial groups In
May last and the results approved py
their respective governments. me aSree-
meut, already initiated by the Cnluese
government. is now awaiting formal TAU u
fication. The basis of the settlement OF
the terms of this loan was one OF exact
equality between America. Great Britain,
France and Germany in respect TO nnanc-
ing the loan and supplying materials 1oi
the proposed railways and their future
branches.
living the policy of the United states IN
regard to the Hukuang ioan' VIZ, tnAt
of the Observation-Disclosures OF the ioreigh
Interest in such of the railways OF emma
as may be financed by foreign countries,
was suggested on a broader scale by the
Secretary of State in a proposal Tor IN
standardization and commercial neu-
tralization Of all the railways of Man
churia. While the principle which led to
erally admitted by the powers to whom
It was addressed, the governments OF
Russia and Japan apprehended practical
difficulties in the execution OF the larger
plan which prevented their ready aoner-
ence. The question of constructing the
Chinchow-Aigun railway by means Of an
International loan to China is, however.
still the subject of friendly discussion by
the interested parties.
Opportunity for Our Capital.
The policy Of this government in these
matters has been directed by desire to
make the use Of American capital In the
DEVELOPMENT of China an instrument In
the promotion Of China's welfare and ma
terial prosperity without prejudice to her
Legitimate rights as an independent politi-
cal power.
This policy has recently found further
decentralization in the assistance gwen
by this government to the negotiations
between China and a group OF Americal
bankers for loan OF SjO.O0O,OOO to De
employed chiefly In currency reform: Inc
Confusion which has from ancient times
existed in the monetary usages OF .ne
Chinese has been one OF the princlpa
obstacles to commercial intercourse with
that people. The United States in its
treaty OF 1903 with China obtained q
pledge from the latter to introduce uni
form national coinage, and the Following
year, at the request OF emma, TINS gov
international exchange commission, &c
discuss with the Chinese government the
best methods of introducing the reform
In 1908 China sent q commissioner TO the
financiers as to the possibility Of securing
a large loan with which to inaugurate
the new currency system, but the death
of their majesties the Empress Dowagel
and the Emperor OF China interrupted
until a few months ago. when this gov
eminent was asked to communicate te
the bankers concerned the request OF
China for loan of $oO,OOO.OOO for the
purpose under review. A preliminar.
agreement between the American grouI
and China has been made covering the
loan.
American as Expert Adviser.
For the success of this loan and thu
contemplated reforms, which are of the
greatest Importance to the commercial
interests Of the United States and thu
civilized world at large, it is realized tina,
an expert will be necessary, and this
government has received assurances from
China that such an adviser. who shall b.
an American. will be engaged.
1t is q matter of interest to American!
| to note the success which Is attending
the efforts of China to establish gradually
a system of representative government
The provincial assemblies were opened IL
october, 1909, and in October of thu
present year a consultative body, tn,
nucleus of the future national parliament
| held its first session at Peking.
The year has further been marked by
two important international agreement
relating to far eastern affairs. In tn,
usso-Japanese agreement relating t
Manchuria, signed July 4. 1910. this gov
eminent was gratif1ed to note an assur
ance Of continued peaceful conditions IL
| that region and the reafarmation of tn,
| policies with respect to China to which
| the United States together with all othe
interested powers are alike solemnly com
mitted.
Annexation of Korea.
The treaty annexing Korea to the EN-
pire of Japan. promulgated August g
| 1910. marks the final step in a process o
| control Of the ancient empire by he
| powerful neighbor that has been /,
! progress for several years past. In com
| inunicating the fact of annexation tn,
| Japanese government gave to the govern
! nent OF the United States assurances o
/ the full protection OF the rights of Amer
| lean citizens in Korea under the change,
| conditions.
/ Friendly visits of many distinguish,
i persons from the far east have been mad
during the year. Chief among thes