Evening star., 1916-12-03

posed OF four senators and nve Nom bern
OF the House Of Representatives. that
Senate and the Speaker OF the HOUSE,
to investigate and study the opportu-
mites and Inducements for developing
commercial trade with China IN:
to be furnished by the United Statss
government. The commission 10 to sub
NIT a report to Congress. giving the
result OF its investigation.
would suggest just here that this
in order to arrive at prac-
tical results. abandoning
Possible some Of the illusions and
deceptions OF the open
ossls' door," proceed. in tho drst
place. to obtain from the President sf
China not a concession which would
violate the spirit and the letter OF our
treaties. but a gift In recognition OF
our return to China Of the millions
awarded America on account OF indem-
mites growing out OF the Boxer rebel
lion-an American settlement" where
America might construct an American
Industrial city In China. as England
has done at Honekong. as Germany did
d IL
labor in China America may accom-
plish at short range what she can
never do at long range with foreign
labor. The American bank and banker.
turer. American plantation and planter.
cotton. tea. sugar are tho great factors
in this proposed trade development
with China.
The desire to protect American labor.
when that so-called American laborer
has returned to his native land. r.
one of the proba bilities which indus
tries may have to face after the war
in Europe.
There may he quoted here. likewise.
for the benefit Of the Congressional
commission for China the following
significant note in the Journal Of the
American Asiatic Association on the
report of the maritime customs on
the trade of China for 1915:
The imports reached the value OF
s2s1.774.946 and the exports amounted
to $25s.693.921-a total foreign trade
equal to S542.4ss.s67. In 1914 the aver
age rate Of exchange was 81 cents 20
the tael. and the aegre@ate foreign
trade was equal to S6o4.801.247; in 1913
the average rate of exchange was T3
cents and the combined totals Of ex-
ports and imports reached the sum OF
$710.631.715. Our own share of Chinese
trade for the year as recorded by our
official returns was a total OF exports
amounting to $20s73,s23 and Of i'm
ports amounting to $53.155,4s7. But.
according to the figures of the mari
time customs the imports from the
United States were valued at 22.sss. s3s
and the exports to the United States
sa7,559.139-a total OF nearly $s0.526.-
OF. Adding the figures Of our trade with
HonekonR. as supplied by the statistics
of the Department of Commerce. and it
appears that. according to our own
valuation. onr total trade with China
and Honekong reached total Of $685.
sos.os2- This is s25.ooo.ooo more than
the amount credited in the returns of
the maritime customs, but the total IS
smaller. measured by the per capita
standard. than our trade with any Of
the other great nations of the world"
Do not these figures show conclusive
ly the inadeduacy OF a so-called open
door" policy to permit
"Open Door, the United States ever
to compete with any
A"ooe9"dUe. European rivals for
China's trade? The American settle
ment" in China is not a fiippant sug-
gestfon. but an urgent necessity i'm
posed by the imperious trade demands
of America in China.
The better to comprehend the current
disa appearance of Yuan Shi Kai-whom
we permitted to disappear without re-
mark because of more urgent sub
tects-let us look hack to May 2S when
we last wrote of China's affairs in Tho
Star under the rpbric: China: Repub-
lie or Monarchy"
The current in Nav of this year was
running strongly against Yuan Shf Kai,
precipitated by the reckless regime OF
murders and other crimes committed
nv the president-emperor-d re-
eime which Yuan was told could be
vanished over by a number Of for
eign advisers" who were sent to Amer
lea and Europe to excuse or pallfate
his determinations. The assassination
OF Gen. Chin Chi Mel was the climax,
Even to the most casual observer of
eastern affairs It must be apparent
that Yuan Shf Kai's days are num-
bered and his fall may be looked for
ward to in the not distant future"
President II Yuan Hung succeeded.
His proclamation on his assumption of
mower was in excellent taste and ad-
nfrable temper. He was guarded in
appealed to the moderation and good
sense of those who would co-operate
with him in the restoration Of the
reign of law and the ere-establishment
OF public order.
The new President of China occupies
the unique position among Chinese
public men Of heing respected and
trusted by all. The Journal Of the
American Asiatic Association, of un-
usual authority. says of Ii Yuan Hung:
1T is not necessary for him to for
swear ambitious designs. because every
one knows that he Is constitutionally
incapable of harboring them. HIS
purity of Intention and simplicity of
character are assets of the highest
value to China in her present straits,
because the financial supports she
greatly needs will be most readily
forthcoming under the auspices of such
a president as Lii Yuan Hung"
The China Press relates an incident
when the monarchical return movement
was at its height. A
Incident group Of monarchists sent
by Yuan Shi Kai called on
ei"'eo' the vice president and
were ushered into his reception room.
After a few moments Ii stood before
them. silent and grave, while he
listened to the entreaties Of the dele
cation to support the monarchy. They
offered the highest honors-the title OF
1.-The Brave Prince"-and the high
emoluments of that exalted rank. When
they had finished, still silent, Ii Yuan
Hung turned his back upon the dele
cation and slowly strode out OF the
room.
One word may be added. Ii Yuan
Hung is a Christian. More might be