Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1922-06-29
REIURNFRON
CHINA& JAPAN
Mr.. James A. Bell, with F. w. ID. of
Chntonville, Just Returned Home.

Cintonville, Just Returned Home.
After several months absence in
China and Japan, James A. Bell, with
the F. W. D. of Clintonville, gives a
glowing account of the conditions in
China as one sees and knows it from
a visit on the grounds. We reproduce
some of his report as published in the
Clintonville Gazette Of June 18th:
owe are mighty glad to get back
home" said Mr.. Bell to The Gazette
editor after an exchange of greet
ings. wisconsin looks good to US
and the more one travels the more one
realizes that the old U. S. A. is far
and away the best country in the
world. This fact is impressed upon
us whether we go to France or China.
Unrest in Far East.
"Conditions are far from settled in
China. The great empire is in a much
disturbed condition at present caused
by warning factions. The head of
what would correspond in size to our
counties, are maintaining small arm
les and fighting with each other. The
absence of any central authority
makes fertile field for lawlessness
of all kinds and pirates and bandits
are as numerous as in dime novels
Trains are frequently robbed and it
is dangerous to go without body
guard. We had one continuously
while in Canton.
Little News Given Out.
''The world is not aware of the ex-
tent of the disturbance in the Far
East because all press dispatches are
censored by the British. The city of
Hong Kong, where we landed, is a
British possession and we found a
general strike on when we arrived.
And when they strike in China they
do thorough job of it and everybody
goes out from bell boy to bill poster
Labor Well Organized.
''The Chinese have carried the prin-
ciple of labor organization to a de-
gree unknown in America Every
line is organized into unions or guilds
as they are called there, and as China
is perhaps the oldest civilized country
on earth, they have developed the or
ganization idea until there is nothing
left to organize.
Have Labor Demonstrations
eve witnessed a real labor demon
in Hong Kong. There were
over 10000 of the different trades
who had turned tout They had struck
for a 100 per cent increase in pay
The wages in the different trades
ranged from $500 to $1,000 per
month before the strike. The coming
visit of the Prince Of Wales made it
to grant their request
They were getting ready for another
strike when we left.
Japan Still Unliquidated.
eve touched at Japan both going
and coming and our impressions are
that financial skies are not yet
cleared III Japan. When the trouble
first started about two years ago
they did not take their losses as in
this country, consequently they have /
much Of this to go through with yet.
Business Opportunities Big.
E'The future business field in China
IS so big that it staggers the imagin-
alton. Of course the present disturb
I'd conditions have killed business for
the present, but when things become I
settled and stable the field will be
wonderful. China is sup I
posed to have larger coal deposits
han the entire United States and its
ron mines are immense, although al
most entirely undeveloped
China Friendly to America.
We found the feeling in China
Fery warm and friendly towards
America. Their experience with US
n the past has built up this senti-
nent and if America is wise she will
10 her part to keep up the good feel +
ng that now exists.
F. w. ID. Making Good.
The F. w. D. street car trucks
nd trailers are operating on the ]
treets of Canton and giving the best
1 satisfaction, although the streets
re in poor condition. They are prov
ng a paying investment on a five
ent fare. The greatest trouble is {