New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1918-09-02
China Has Vital
Interest in the
War in Europe
With Financial Aid Might Take
Active Part in
Conflict
By ]. w. jerks. Phi. D., IL. D.
Research Professor of Government
and Public Administration NeeU
WN UWtUGTSEtY.
(From The Economic Worldly


YORK; University.
tFrom The Economic Worldly
To many who have been long inter-
ested in China it has seemed that OPP
portunity should be afforded that coun-
try to take really active part in the
war. From many points of view no
other one of the Allies is moro vitality
interested in the outcome of the war;
If the Allies win doubtless the cause of
democracy will be greatly furthered
throughout the world, and China's four
hundred millions, who are just taking
the first steps in self-government, sure
ly have a vital interest in securing
good government that will keep the
peoples interests in mind.
1.-The control of large tracts of terri
'tprys in. Chinasis 81 stake in, the war.
Not, only is the. status of the great
province of Shantung in question, but
there can be little doubt that the en-
tire attitude toward China of ali the
great powers of the world will be pro-
foundly changed by the outcome Of the
war. Germany and Russia on the one
hand, the United States, Great Britain.
france and Japan on the other. will ali
of them occupy positions in China en-
t'rely different from those occupied be-
tore And the Chinese government
itsei1' It's autonomy, its freedom of ac-
tlon' It's strength to act, and even it's
Will to act, are all hanging in the bal
ance. All these things and others that
might be named make the question of
financial aid to China one of vital
worldwide import.
U. S. Attitude Is Protectiv.
o1ine OF our newspapers have spoken
Oh the present attitude of our own gov-
eminent as a reversal of its attitude
.Gmara the six-power loan at the begin
nlng OF President Wilson's first admin
lstration. A careful consideration of
sne statement issued by the State De-
parement, however, will show that this
- not necessarily so-and probably not
SO at all. President Wilson then said
tnat ne was withdrawing the support
u thls government from the loan be-
cause he did not like it's monopolistic
character. in that only few New York
DanKers IN the United States partici-
pated; nor did he like the exclusive
iiea.ure OF the loan that limited China's
borrowing in the future to the inter
ested syndicate, if political reoreaniza-
ton was to be undertaken.
me present propositions seem to
0bviate both Of those objections of
PRESIDENT Wilson. In the first
place, the American group. instead
OF consisting of four New York
oanKlng institutions as before, will be
imposed OF many-more than thirty
scattered in different parts of the coun-
try: And in the second place. It Is
understood that these bankers acree to
submit the terms and conditions of anv
loan they may make to the Depart
ment of State; and that the American
government will not give it's assent to
an loan that seems to infringe too
much upon China's freedom of action.
vi course, this is not stated definitely
IN any matter yet published; but that
point was clearly made by the Presi-
gent IN his objections to the six-power
Io9an' and 1T is reasonable to assume
that any exclusive monopolistic feat
ure, would still be Objectionable.
1t seems to be also understood -
one may trust the rumors on the
street, that the American government
expects to take very active, if not a
leading, part in this loan. Just how
far it intends to go, of course, the
event Will show.
China and Japan More Friendly
Two or three years ago, when the
question of another loan to China
came up. and also at the time of the
chicago loan of $5,000,OOO, it was nv
OPINION that it was wisest both for our
business interests and for China that
the loans be made by Americans with
out direct cooperation with foreign
lenders, especially with Japan. The
reason was simple-the Chinese at that
time were bitterly hostile to Japan and
the Japanese. The very bitter criti-
clsm made against an American group
that proposed to admit the Japanese
into their enterprise will be we'll re-
membered, the Chinese saying openly
that such proposition was not merely
unwlse, but was violation of good
faith on the part of the Americans.
Happily such conditions no longer
exist. China and Japan are now allies
with the United States and France and
England in a great war for the exist
ence OF them all. Chinese and Japa-
nese soldiers are even now acting to-
gether IN Siberia; and if the prospect
does not deceive they, with Americans
and others, will be fighting and dying
side by. side in the not distant futurs.
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certify of the aid that each of these ma
lions is giving and will continue to
give to the others throughout the
period of the war In CONSEQUENCE.
when the question arises of financial
aid to enable China to take her fair
part IN this great war, it is fitting and
wise that the great nations of the AL
lies all join in rendering this assist
ance.
This Country Must Be Leader
Owing to present financial conditions
naturally the United States must take
the lead from the standpoint of cash ::
and the United States and japan alone
will furnish all the cash needed now
even though the other countries take
their proper, share. as they should, of
the. responsibility. How the money is
to be expended has not yet been dis
cussed IN the press. That should be a
matter of joint consideration and Joint
settlement.
The United States has already recop-
nlzed the constructive business ability
and resources of the Chinese in award.
ing great shipbuilding contract to the
Kiangnan Shipyards, under Chinese
government control. Men who are ia
mlllar with shipbuilding and who know
tnose yards say that our government
Will be surprised not only at the low
cost at which these ships will be built
but at the marvellously efficient work.
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