Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-03-14
China Could 90 . Big "Bit".

China Could Go q Big "Bit"
81 4. Cudln, manager ii the foreign
teps rtrnent u the General Electric
Company. hag written an inte:eGting
article showing how China may be
made an effective ally. He says that
China, which severed relations with
Germany ana later declared war On
Germany, has given more than 10000
~ her best men ~ the cause Of the
Allies. They are behind the lines
working as mechanics, carpenters,
fridge and road builders. They are
strong, brave, and interchangeable and
good -hunorcd workers. For two
years or more they have been crossing
the Pacific and Canada enroute 70
France in contingents Of $500 or there
sbouts Prior to ernbarkation in China
they are given d camp and military
training experience for some weeks I'M
der the supervision 81 English and Ca
madam officers.
Those W.T. have seen these Chinese
realize that every one il hand picked
and that they are all in the pink of
physical condition. Returning Arneri
can officers from France are enthusiasm
tic over the useful qualities and indie-
pensabIc character Of the service these
Chinese are rendering the fighting arm
les. They are described as tractabIe
cheerful. brave under fire and able to
live on the most simple fare and one
easily supplied.
Tho question naturally arises, Why
are not greater number employed in
France in the capacity Of workmen or
az soldiers?
General Chang. head of the Chinese
Military Mission in America, has an
nounced that China Is willing 10 send
100000 fighting men To the western
front. The Chinese Minister, DR.. Well
ington Koo, in Il speech before the New
York Chamber Of Commerce. said tina,
China could help win the war by her
RESOURCES and by her man power II
given assistance.
Here Is the answer to our question
China needs assistance II her Urnitless
resources OF grain. raw material and
men are to be made available for the
benefit Of her Allies. China IL moor
Her credit has been disparaged by
other nations who wished to exploit
her. although she has never failed to
pay debt. At the present time China
cannot borrow except on oncrous terms
that offend her dignity and sovereignty
and impair the commercial opportunity
OF other nations not parties to the
loan. Wealthy nations such as Eng
land and France today are situated Tx.
China In that they are not able to bor
row money and their credit Is IMPAIRED
by the drain upon their resources. To
these countries and other countrieg in
Europe the United States has loaned
or VIII have loaned In the course Of the
next few months five thousand million
dollars, but apparently 40 far not one
cent has been loaned to China Yet
China must be financially assisted to
make her an effective allv
Inc eyes OF our administrators and
OF the people have been fixed upon the
western front in the correct belief iln
Inc war Will be decided there. In con
centrating our efforts upon this poin,
nave we not neglected the Far East >
we seem 10 have shown an apathy and
An indifference 10 the problems affect :
ING American economic interests there
interests OF transcendent Importance
ana we seem above all TO have over
looked the direct help offered us from
mat quarter in winning the war and
winning 1t cxpcdltiously.
The war has cut down the arrieuI.
'hiai output Of the European Allies by
'ully one-haif and the deficit must be
made up by the United States. II the
war should drag on one or two years
more the United States will suffer .eri =
ously from a shortage OF food and DOS.
sibly man power. All the Allies will
then look fongingly at the worlds
greatest storehouse. China. and will
look unavailingiy unless early means
are initiated by which 1t can be tapped
One Of China's greatest needs TODAY
IL transportation. With a population
of over three hundred and Atty million
people and an area Of 4.c7s,s5o square
miles, she possesses only $500 miles Of