The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1917-04-20
y Hun Liang Huang, Columbia

| \DS IlAA AAS~AAo AA~~iA6' W. University.3
 If there is a nation in the world that would seem to have every reason ! to keep out of the war it is China. She has enough problems of her own to keep her busy without entangling herself in this gigantic conflict. She desired and wished to remain neutral and devote her time and energy to setting her own house in order. But with the launching of the ruthless
 submarine policy China, like the Uni- | ted States, has found it impossible to stand aIoof in the world conflict.
 l Following the example of the Uni- l ted States, China protested vigorously against the unrestricted submarine warfare of the Teutonic powers; and I in order to enforce her protest she
 has been obliged to sever relations
 with the German Empire. In taking
 this Step the Chinese government is
 fully aware of the consequences at tending such an action. The question
 arises, what grievances, if there are
 any, has China against the Central Powers? What are some of the reas- ons that have made China decide to
 cast her lot with the Entente?
 Perhaps the most obvious reason that induces China to enter the war
 is an economic one. Although China
 has no merchant marine in the Med iterranean or other European waters now jeopardized by the German sub- marine policy, her commercial inter-
 ests are far from unaffected. China 1 imports from and exports to the l European countries on an enormous
 scale. Especially are her commercial
 interests bound up with those of Great Britain, who has been one of China's largest customers as we'll as l one of her best providers. Great Bril-
 tain purchases more tea. silks and jother native products from China
 than any other country. In return she supplies the needs of the Chinese | for manufactured articles of all sorts.
 The German submarine war has
 greatly hampered China's trade rela-
 tions with Great Britain. On account of the shortage of her cargo space, Great Britain has been forced to pro-
 hibtt the importation of foreign tea, i which, of course, is a direct blow at
 China's trade. On the other hand, on
 account of the reduction of importa-
 tion from Europe, China has been ob- l lliged to turn to the Japanese to sup
 ply her needs, and they have been
 charging her exorbitant prices for their goods
 l ]. In this connection we must consid- CT the economic inducements that have been offered to China as a con- dition of her participation. It will
 be recalled that the Allied Govern ments- have promised not only the
 suspension of payment of the residue of the Boxer indemnity, but also the lrevision of the tariff in case she joins l the war From the Chinese view point the first offer is of very doubt l full advantage, for the war which has closed all European money. markets l to the Chinese loans has made her ex- | ert heraen in the way of financial re- organization and national economy to a degree that could not have obtained under ordinary circumstances. In my opinion this self exertion is arespon- sible to a large extent for the rapidity with which China has reorganized ! her financial system which was thrown out of gear by the Revolu- 1 tions of 1911 and of 1913. It makes
 her rely upon her own people and the increasing confidence and interest
 which the Chinese people have shown 1 in their government since the forma- ton, of the Republic account for the 1 phenomenal success of the domestic loans in China. Now the suspension of the payment of the indemnities
 would not only. make China relax her
 efforts at lself-maintenance, but may
 also bring her serious embarrassment
 when the time for the payment of
 the deferred debts arrives.
 I While the suspension of payment i~R {r@H H4 q l &A,,J
 Vantage to China, the revision of the tariff offered is different matter. The existing tariff rates, it will be re-
 called, were imposed on China by the western powers at the end of the last
 century. They are not to exceed 5 per cent ad valorem The value of \ goods is fixed on hthe average prices from 1S97-1Sy9. As prices have ad-
 vanced very considerably during the last decade, these nominal ad valor-
 em 5 per cent. rates now do not
 amount to more than 2 or per cent in many cases. The injustice of such a system can readily be seen when
 one remembers that Chinese goods are taxed in foreign countries at rates of 50 and in some cases 100 per cent These rates have deprived the Chi nese government of one of the largest Isources of revenue coming to every country. and have been responsible to large extent for a large part of Chinais financial difficulties during
 the last decade. The revision of the tariff, with "a subsequent increase of the rates to a more reasonable basis
 will be of great bfnefrt to China, and will probably compensate her for part
 of the material sacrifices that she will
 have to make if she joins the war. Of course China ought not to be asked nor should she consent to make any new concessions of control of mines
 or other natural resources as has been suggested by some.
 I The most important reasons for China's participation in the war. how ever, will be found to be political lrather than economic. When the war broke out in 1914, China had every desire to keep out of it. But the par ticipation of Japan brought the war home to the Far East Under pre- text of military necessity, Japan vio-
 lated China's neutrality to a degree
 not at all tncomparable with Ger T many's atrocious treatment of Rel
 gium. Taking advantage of China's defenselessness Japan has also tried
 to make China agree to transfer to her all the rights formerly enjoyed by Ii Germany in China. At the conclusion 'l of the war, the Far Eastern question will undoubtedly be one of the most
 important problems to be settled. Ja-