Grand Forks herald., 1919-12-30
Boycott OF Japanese
Goods By The Chinese
tBy T. S. Osaien.)

{The writer Of the following article
Of North Dakota and is therefore
thoroughly familiar with the condi-
tions regarding which he writes
Editor.) - ,.,
The Chinese tried several times to
boycott Japan, but had never sue
ceeded owing; apparently, to the lack
! Of systematic organization and ma
| tional sentiment on the pakt of the
| Chinese and the skillful use of politi-
cal pressure and military threats by
| the Japanese. Unlike the former ones,
however, the present boycott since
success. Following the student ma
| tional defense movement, better
known as the student strike, the boy
colt was at once started. Its desira-
bility lies in the fact that, since China
has been too weak and too unprepared
to. take. such steps as a strong power
would deem as Necessary, 1t serves
as the only possible demonstration
| against the japanese encroachment,
China. Just as the forefathers of
Americans founded the famous LAS
sociation'' in 1774 with three Mons"
] -non-importation, transportation,
! and non-consumption--to defend their
| liberty. SO are the Chinese now carry
ing a boycott to make their newly
born republic thrive. #
| In this movement too, the stu
dents take the leadership; Co-operat-
ing with them are the chambers OF
commerce, guilds and the similar or
significance, meanings and methods Of
the boycott are given from time to
time by the student lecturing corps.
! For similar purposes pamphlets are
| issued, someSof which quote George
Washington: 'I have nothing to say
to you today, except to tell you that
everything I am wearing today, from
head to foot, is Of American manufac-
ture and origin; am wearing nothing
that has come from abroad"
!, Inspection commissions Of various
sorts in various localities were Or
ganized, both by students and civic
people. Non-importation and nom
expectation took effect right at the
beginning, but the peddlers and small
dealers having the Japanese goods in
hand we're allowed to sell them in q
certain length Of time to avoid hard
ship. The more Jealous people, how.
ever, burnt all Of the Japanese goods
they had, The burning did not effect
Japan and is economically absurd
nevertheless it aroused the public sen.
timent most effectively.
The result is remarkable. Before
the boycott over sixty. per cent Of
Japan's exports went to China, but
now Japan's exports to China have
dropped down to negligible amount
Japanese papers in China receive NJ
nese papers refuse to advertise fol
Japanese business. Non-exportatior
\ Of rice and sugar frightens the Japan
/ eae people in general to high degree
! But the purpose OF boycott p no
intended to destroy Japan's &xpor
!. trade. lit serves primarily to show tf'
sentiment and indignation OF the Chi
4 d-nese at the new Prussianisrn, and t
warn the enlightened classes (if any
4 Of the japanese, and secondarily y
promote the native industries which
has become dimcult task to the Chi
nese on account Of the extremely Low
tariff and Inadequate supply Of ma
chimes. Boycott the low grad
goods (Japanese)" and Promote th'
native. made goods" are parts Of tn
motto of the movement.
y In all cases the boycott movemen
has nothing TO- do with the govern
!, ment; # .is.an entirely extra legal af
/ fair. But the Japane4e ignoring In
, fternational law. have intimidated tn
, Chinese government to Gauge 1t Il
, interfere with the lawful dealings o
!. its people. Failing to bring their de
) sired result. the Japanese in Chin
+ very often raid the Chinese. For tn
i Japanese want to exploit China with
4 out any opposition or with violent op
! position 60 as to warrant war,zwhich
; si1o-thinks. will gain more for hei
Z However, the movement Is spreading
u farther and farther to the interior d