Evening star., 1915-12-29
J. SeIwin TAFT Reports to New
York Financiers on Condi-
tions There.
LACK OF RAILROADS
is GREATEST HANDICAP
Thinks Change From Republic to
Monarchy Assures the Preservation
of Order in Celestial Empire.

j. Selwin TAFT of 201s o street north
west, sent to China by financial inter-
ests in New York to observe and report
on conditions of international invest
ment, brings back the impression that
America does not occupy as command
ing position in the Celestial empire as
some other countries do. He also is OF
opinion that the United States. In the
islarnational plan to improve the
transportation facilities of China,
should bear it's part and not take an
Independent initiative.
Mr. TAFT, who is an international
banker of long experience. has Just re-
turned from his journey in the orient
The change in the government OF
China from a republic to a monarchy,
Mr.. TAFT considers distinctly for the
better.
Succession Is Assured.
IN the case of a hereditary monarchy
the succession is assured beyond dis
pute," he commented, whereas had
Yuan Shih Kai died while president an
interregnum would have followed
There would have probably been a con-
siderable upset until the matter was
settled. This state of affairs would
have been injurious to business and
might have resulted in considerable
bloodshed"
Mr.. TAFT was asked II he thought
there would be much actual resistance
to the change.
IT do not think so,'' was his reply.
"Of course, it is inevitable that in the
case of so large a country, with such
q varied population, no change con-
ceivable would meet the views of all.
1t is to be expected, therefore, that
there will be opposition here and there,
but do not think it will be of any i'm
portance.'
; In reply to a question about Yuan
Shi Kai, Mr.. Taft said: HE justifies
his reputation as strong man. His
influence in China is very great, and
no one denies that he is the best man
that China could have for a ruler. with
the promised constitution. China should
do well under the monarchy"
How about Japan?" Mr.. TAFT was
asked.
pie, and in their modern organization,
in whatever form you take 1t, they
excel even the Germans in painstaking
thoroughness and efficiency" he replied.
Expects No More Annexation.
81 do not think that Japan desires
any more Chinese territory. The only
part of unpopulated China available to
them, Manchuria. is too cold for their
taste. They prefer warmer countries
like Brazil, where they are establishing
q large and successful colony. There
is no doubt that japan is desirous of
securing as much of the trade of China
as possible, but I believe she aims to do
this by pacific means.
Japan does not fear the armies Of
China, but it is probable that she
before her-that it is dangerous to in
terfere with China beyond a certain
point. even with the object Of strength
ening a weak neighbor.
"China's armies have been conquered,
but her people never. To attempt the
conquest of China by force of arms is
comparable to a man fighting an enor-
nous feather bed. At first all goes
well; every thrust goes home to the
hilt; there is no resistance, and Just
when conquest is his. he Is smothered.
Tatar. Mongol. Manchu-all of them in
turn conquered China, and each in turn
was absorbed and ceased to exist.
There is an easier way for Japan TO
secure her portion of the trade of
China By fighting she would antag-
onize the people and arouse influences
which are infinitely more hurtfuI than
China's armies. l refer to the boycott.
Japan today has her trade representa-
tives throughout China. In that peace
able way she Is securing a good hold
on the commerce OF the country, and
being on the spot and possessed of a
HTsl-CidSS Snc Will unQOuOL-
edly get full share of the prosperity
brought to China by the efforts Of
other countries"
Opportunities In China.
What are the opportunities In China
today?" Mr.. TAFT was asked. ITO the
large capitalist. operating with care
and judgment and working with the
support of his own government, China
will prove veritable gold mine for
himself and still more for his success
sors." was the reply. 1T is this quail
tty of future promise that makes China
of value to the nation which works
for posterity, as well as for its own
day and generation. No live, up-to-
date nation. possessing the necessary
equipment Of wealth and aptitude for
the work, can afford to ignore China
II its rulers wish TO escape the con-