The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-11-07

WHAT THAT COUNTRY WILL CON-
TRIBUTE TO THE WAR.
China's Resources i'm Men, Materials
and FOOdstufYs are Abundant-IieIp
I'm Exploitation and Transportation
uIcr Greatest Nccossitics-lIcr
Right to Place at The Peace COun-
Gil Fully Earned.
(By Jerembiah w. jerks. Phi. d., LII
d.

So many comments, favorable and
unfavorable. upon Chinas entrance
into the great war have been made
that it seems desirable to mention ono
or two things that China, with the
approval of it's government. has ac-
tually done, and to indicate what
more may we'll be expected provided
the war continues.
1t will be recalled that the reason
given by the Chinese government for
the breaking of diplomatic relations
with Germany was that given by the
United States; it's citizens had lost
their lives by action of German sub
marines. 1t has been known for some
time that Chinese workmen were go
ing to France in large numbers with
the cooperation Of both govern
ments, and a ship carrying some o.
these workmen. sunk by German
submarine with a large attendant
loss of life was the chief reason which
China gave for entrance into the
war.
Those who know the Chinese and
who particularly have been following
the movements of it's progressive
leaders. including the leaders Of both
great parties. for the last two or thre>
years believe also that the Chinese
government was actudted in part a,
least by the same high ideals that ac-
tuated Americans and the American
government. To be sure, there were
certain other direct advantages which
were expected and which have bee,
received: payments of the Boxer in.
demnity have ben suspended for FIVE
years; certain concessions, mino
ones. to be sure. have heen made re
the customs tariff and mos;
of all. perhaps, China has won a sea;
at the peace council table.
1t is not generally realized that
there are now in France some 1000
Chinese workmen who have gone
there to help in whatever way they
best can in war work, besides some
thousands also in Russia and Meso-
potamia. These men come from the
north of China. are tall, strong men
carefully selected and able to TAX,
the place of a corresponding number
Of French soldiers in all kinds of un-
skilled and in many kinds of skilled
work.
Moreover, the cost to the French
government of such highly effective,
important labor is from our view
point, trifiing, although it may well
seem liberal to many of the Chinese
workmen themselves In round num-
bers, $40 a month is paid to the
families of the workmen, and they
themselves receive in France one
franc (20c) a day. OF course. the
French government pays transporta-
ton, furnishes them free necessary
medical aid, etc; but even then. how
trifiing Us the expense as compared
with what would have to be paid for,
let us say. American workmen!
These Chinese stand ready also.
provided transportation can be secur-
ed. to furnish large quantities of sup
plies of various kinds, from antimony
and iron ore to food supplies. In
fact. IL is we'll known, of course that
all Of the Allies have relied largel,
upon China for the absolutely neces-
sary antimony required in the max
ing of shells and other types of mu-
nitions. For China furnishes by fan
the largest supply Of antimony to be
found in the world.
Again we in America do not realize
how large in reality is the native
shipping of China and it's hipbuildinl
capacity. In 1914 the clearance:
from Chinese ports show $685. 26I
tons to China's credit, tonnage
greater than that Of any other ma
ton except Great Britain. But. al
though China has done little in tn,
way Of trans-oceanic traffic, no
| merely small boats. but seagoing ship
| for coast traffic abound everywher,
in China, and it's rivers swarm will
freight-bearing boats. On the Yangtz
river one of the most important o
the great steamship lines is Owne,
and managed by the Chinese. 1t j
reported that their shpyards ar
working with increased activity. an,
the opportunity is there for building
for war purpose, provided the Allie
care to exploit these resources.
The Chinese government stand