Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-08-31
The New China Group
BY Frederic J. Haskin

bers to the group will be enrolled.
There is no limit on the possible men,
bership except the fact that all men,
bers must be members of congress.
The China group in the English par
lament Is sixty or seventy strong.
As for definition OF the purpose Of
the China group more specific than
"a mere statement that it will keep in
touch through the 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 the house and
senate signed by two senator's and
four congressman. The invitation
stated what has been stressed especi-
ally by all concerned throughout-tha
the group would be entirely unoficial.
1t went on to say that the group might
use its moral influence when needed,
to the cause of preserving the integ.
rity Of China; and to take such action
on the floor as might be needed when
questions like the open door or Chi
nese independence were concerned.
Thus the object of the group will ap-
parently be the maintenance Of the old
ideal Of American craftsmanship in
the orient; II is only the method which
is an innovation.
1t is apparently very sound and
worthy one. 1t Is hard to see how
there can be any real conflict or dupli-
cation OF service between the new
group and the state department. The
one represents the nation officially;
the other is simply group of promi-
nent men who keep in touch with
China.
Mr. Hain-Jan-Kia. who was present
at the recent meeting Of the new
group, is one of the principal founders
and promoters Of the China group idea.
The system seems to be one Of the
fruits of the progressive lines Of
thought that fourished when the Chi
nese parliament was called by the re-
public At any rate, 1t dates back
only to 1913 It's expressed objective
is the assurance of friendly relations
between China and foreign parlia-
ments. At the same time, it Is OBJ
vious that one Of the objects Of Chi
nese patriots is to keep the changing
facts of the Chinese case before the
world as fully as possible. China, be-
ing short on preparedness, has to de-
pend heavily on international public
opinion. ..
The system has no oficial footing in
China, where it stands much as the
China groups do in other countries, on
a prestige assured by the character OF
the men associated with 1t. Its doings
are not the doings of the Chinese re-
public: they are strictly informal and
unofficial.
Mr.. Hahn has worked vigorously at
introducing the idea in Europe. Eng.
land, France and Austria have China
groups" as we'll as several smaller
European countries The most con-
spicuous activities of China group"
members were those of certain mem
bers of the English house of COM
mons. who INTERCEPTED the govern
ment vigorously at the time Of the re-
cent Chino-Japanese negotiations. Ac-
cording to some, the resulting free dis
cusson helped greatly in a peaceful
settlement of the controversy, England
being naturally an important factor in
any oriental situation, as we'll as an
ally Of Japan.
The organization Of China group
from members Of the United States
congress leads naturally to the ques-
ton of why similar groups should not
be organized to specialize on our re-
lations with other foreign nations.
Why not a Japan group, a Russia
group, a German empire group, a Brit
ain group? Anything which leads to
the dissemination Of the real facts
back of diplomacy among the men who
have our national policy largely in
their hands can not help but be good
hing for sound international relations.