Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-08-20
THE NEW CHINA GROUP IN CONGRESS
Dy FREDERICK J. In.kIn.

WASHINGTON. D. c.. August 10
Al an Informal meeting held Il fow
days ago in the office building OF the
House OF representatives, a body
unique in the annals OF American
foreign relations was organized. a
group Of Senators and Representatives
met 10 discuss the formation OF an
American China group"
The China group" system has cs-
tablished itself widely among tho
principal world powers in the last
three years. The United States is
ninth or tenth among the nations
where the idea has taken hold.
y China group, in the simplest pos
sible terms, consists of number OF
members OF the national legislative
body of "A country who are interested
in the relations Of their country with
china. and in Chna's relations with
the res; Of the world. They get to-
fe,her. and a similar group in the
Chinese Parliament keeps them posted
as 10 what is going on. \ China group
IL an absolutely unofficial body. II
has no formally recognized place or
standing in the diplomatic scheme Of
things. It's members are supposed 10
he drawn together by common inter
est in the Chinese question as they
might he drawn BY common interest
in Arctic exploration or the collection
OF rare porcclans.
At least this is the way they must
bt l'Sii'''i INC iulcS u inc
diplomatic game. As matter Of fact.
their interest in Chinese affairs is OF
considerably more Importance and
value TO the nation than any ABSORB
ton i'll the North Pole controversy or
the tcacups OF the Ming dynasty would
be, but when men occupy prominent
positions in public and official life IL
is necessary 10 distinguish sharply be
tween their official and their unofl-
cial activities.
The China group. then. will occupy
q position Theoretically analogous 10
that of a political club III some country
village. which meets to discuss the af-
fairs of China unofiicially. Only, when
The China group meets for discussion.
"a similarly unofficial committee of tho
Chinese Parliament VIII have given
them what sporting writers would
term the inside dope" and they will
have something worth talking about
Ia occupy their time. Also, when they
cast OF their own unoncia ldom, they
bccoin" again men Of prominence in
the Congress Of the United states. and
can use villa, they know and what they
lave decided to influence their coll
leagues TO action.
TO Promote FriendshIp.
There is nothing mysterious or
sccrctivc about such proceeding. none
OF The devious and hidden methods
that arc sometimes associated in the
popular mind with diplomacy. The
whole thing is simple and entirely
open system for the promotion OF
better understanding and the most
friendly rcla atoms between China and
tho United states. The idea of putting
Tho legislators of two great republics
,niormally in touch with each other,
without the pcdantry that attends eff
cial diplomatic exchanges whecc every
comma must he weighed and consider
ed, is, 10 all appearances. n mos OK
Cc!lert one, time should prove.
Tho first meeting of the American
group showed that there was at least
nothing partisan about the reception
given the idea. Republicans and
Democrats, as we'll as the Socialist
member worked in harmony.
Air. Cooper. of Wisconsin. was elect
ed 20 ;hc craftsmanship ana aIr. Slayen,
Of Texas, made secretary OF ;hc group.
Some discussion was raised over Il pos
siblc conflict between the activities OF
tie new organization and those OF the
state Department. and committee
was appointed to take care of THIS
point by drafting resolutions % pur-
pos" When this has been done, mcr-
hers to the group will he enrolled.
There is no limit on the possible mem
bcrshp. except the fact that all mem
hers must he members Of Congress.
The China group In the English FAR
lament il sixty or scvcnty strong.
AS for definition of the purpose of
tho China group more specific than 4
mere statement that il wiil keep in
touch through tho most reliable source
OF information with Chinese affairs. an
indication is furnished by the invita-
ton to attend the first meeting, which
was sent to members of tho House
and Senate signed by two senators and
four congressman The invitation
stated what has been stressed especial
~ by all concerned throughout--tha
the group would be entirely unofficial.
Only Method IS New.
1T went on to say that the group
might use its moral influence when
needed. to the cause of preserving tho
integrity OF China: and to take such
action on the floor as might be needed
when questions like the Open Door or
Chinese indepcndencc were concerned.
Thus the object OF the group will APP
parently be the maintenance of tho
old ideal of American craftsmanship
In the Orient; IT is only the method
which is an innovation.
1t Is apparently very sound and
worthy one. II is hard to soc how
| there can he any real conflict or dupli-
cation OF service between the now
group and tho state Department. The
ono represents the nation officially: the
other is simply group of prominent
men who keep in touch with China.
Mr.. IIain-Jan-Kia, who was present
at the recent meeting OF tho now group.
is one of tho principal founders and
promoters OF tho China group idea. The
the progressive lines OF thought that
nourished when tho Chinese parlia-
ment was called by the republic. At
any rate. il dates back only to 1913.
It's expressed objective Is the assur-