New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-04-29
China and the War
Bv Hun LANG Huang of Princeton and Columbia Universities

countries at rates of 50 and in some cases
100 per cent. BY making the rates so ridi-
cuously low. the Chinese government has
been deprived of one of the largest sources
of revenue coming to every country.
The most important reason for China's par
ticipatioa in the war, however. is political
rather than economic. When the war broke
cut in 1914 China had every desire to keep
out of it, But the participation Of Japan
brought the war home to the Far East Under
pretext of military necessity Japan violated
China's neutrality to degree not at all in
comparable with Germany's atrocious treat
ment of Belgium. Taking advantage. Of
China's defenceessness Japan has also tried
20 make China agree to transfer TO her all
the rights formerly enjoyed by Germany in
China. At the conclusion of the war the
Far Eastern question will undoubtedly be
one Of the most important problems to be
settled. Japan, for reasons not very mag
Eanimous, has been trying to bring every
pressure to bear to prevent China from
acquiring a voice in the coming peace con-
ference. The desire to assure herself Of a
seat al the peace toHltItuCt anu " piOktSs
herself, if possible, from further eXaction
and aggression of her friendly" peighbor
has therefore contributed no small influence
in inducing China to take the step that she
has taken. 1t may seem strange that ma
ton should ally herself with group OF ma
tons in order to protect herself from the
aggression of one of the members Of the
very group. But such is the paradox OF in
ternational politics.
It may now be asked, II China should enrer
the war what could she contribute? During
the Chinese revolution it was estimated that
China had about one million soldiers. Al
though a large part OF this army has been
dsbanded, it would be safe to say that to-day
she has at least half million men under
arms. IL is not likely, however, that China
will send her troops to Europe in the event
Of her participation. China can, however,
assist the Entente in other ways not less
effective. She has four modern arsenals, the
largest of which is the Hanyang arsenal
located near Hankow, and is connected with
Picking by railroads. With her large supply
of iron China can turn out arms and muni-
tions that will be Of no small assistance tc
the Allies Japan has been one of Russia's
chlel sources OF supply, out she depends
upon China for her iron and other metals.
With these materials on the spot, China can
supply Russia with arms more cheaply AMI
perhaps more effectively than Japan.
Inc1haustible Human Resources
Besides her material resources, China has
also an inexhaustible supply of human
power 1t is estimated that no less than one
hundred thousand Chinese laborers have al
ready been in the various industrial and agri-
cultural works in France and other countries
Of the Entente group. Although China may
not send troops to Europe, If the war con-
tinues and if transportation can be provided
she could easily furnish the Entente enough
leborers to do almost all Of their unskilled
labor and very large proportion of their
skilled labor at much less than their present
cost. thus releasing some millions more men
for the front The Importance Of Chna's
entrance into the war is likely to be under
estimated. With her resources and human
power China will probably prove to be a
factor OF surprising Importance to the casual
observer.