The New York herald., 1921-03-06
May Be Helped by 1921 Famine

doubtless bring the shackes upon them
selves as much as on their innocent COM
patriots.
1t is the innocent Chinese who are now
suffering so intensely, and although the
rest of China is rich and prospering the
greatest amount of aid will have to come
from without Chinese are giving and some
giving generously, but large numbers OF the
people are Withholding. The outside world
is blaming them for lack of compassion for
their own people, but as long as they are
uncertain as to who will actually receive the
benefits Of their gifts little wonder that
well to do Chinese are apathetic. They have
seen their money fall into the hands OF
Intermediates long enough. The only ones
they could trust would be disintereste1
group of foreigners.
In consequence, as stated earlier. the
methods of Americans and Western foreign
ers in organizing the present Chinese famine
relief on so gigantic scale is bound to be
the second of great benefits to China It
may be another lesson to Japan, and on,
which we hope she will follow--a lesson III
friendship. But one thing is certain-the
Chinese are not going to forget this aid 1t
gives the Chinese themselves an example
of disnterested cooperation which they will
be certain to make use OF. And further not
being in any sense a charitable undertaking,
ii is not going permanently to pauperize the
famine sufferers.
The work of road building river straight
ening, railroad bed laying and land irrigat-
ing is being carried on with the funds Sc
cured for relief. The permanent work will
be better for the people than any loans
which have so far been advanced to a cor.
rupt government. Nothing that has hap
pened to China in a long time may make
for its regeneration more than this for the
funds being secured from foreigners are be-
ing handled by foreigners and are pretty
sure to go into the rebuilding of China and
not the enrichment OF some Of its officials.
How the Reaction Will
Affect the United States
How is that going to react upon the
United States? The Industrial and economic
conditions of the world are such that wher-
ever possible the normal economic relations
between nations should be maintained. The
interruption Of normal trade relations with
China which this famine OF $4,000, 900 people
entails is very serious matter Last year
Americas share of foreign trade with China
was about $500, 900. This year. in spite of
the famine, IL has been even more brisk. Yet
we must remember that the five provinces
affected by the famine are the most accessi-
BILE to foreign intercourse. They lie In the
way, as II were, TO the whole of northern and
northwestern China. The disorganization OF
these districts Is bound TO throw out OF gear
the economic life of the whole Chinese Re-
public IL is bound TO weaken China and
make her an easier prey to alien avarice.
Self-interest should rush to the assistance
OF China. China has already sunk too far
under the yoke of foreign Powers ever to
rise without their assistance, but so far
there IS only one nation that, politically
speaking, has not worked for the dismem-
berment of China All OF them are now real
izing that they have common interest in
the rebuilding of China an independent
nation instead OF each seeking its own ends