Evening star., 1925-10-01

British interests have been espe-
cially attacked by Chinese agitators
and young China assumes that mos,
of the opposition to Chinese national
ism IS led by the British in orde:
to hold up British commercial inter
ests. All foreigners in China at pres
ent appear to be acting as a bloc,
but it is foreseen that the United
States will refuse to sanction military
backing for foreign interests against
Chinese nationalism.
British goods are being boycotted.
in spite of the fact that since British
goods constitute the greater part OF
imports, therefore the revenue from
customs is mainly derived from Brit
iSh importationS, and to boycott such
reduces Chinese income. This is an
swered with the argument that what
ever is lost in British importationS
will be compensated by increased i'm
portations from other nations, and
that no other nation is so close a
rival of Chinese industries as is
British India. Ancient China is not
without her infant industries" and
young Chinese are crying for their
protection as Justify as any member
of the American Protective Tariff
League ever argued for our home in.
duStries and the full dinner pail"
y X
While the present power of foreign
nations over Chinese autonomy Is
based upon treaty agreements, where
by China surrendered much of her
independent sovereignty, 1t Is con-
tended by the Chinese that that sur
render has been revoked, and that
China long ago had signed a lot of
treaties which no government of
China would sign now except under in
timidation." The new nationalism
demands complete restoration of
China's sovereign rights.
Mr.. Millard is charged with preju-
dicial inaccuracy in his comments
upon the character of the Chinese
Christians. A letter from Mr. Ed
mund ]. Lee Of New York, who is
evidently in closer touch with the
Christian mission in China. based
upon 20-year residence in that
country, points out some of the con-
fusion of statements of the cores
pondent. According to Mr. Lee, Mr..
Millard made the blunder of quoting
statistics of only the converts of
Protestant Christian missionaries. He
stated that there were but 900
professed Christians among the 400,-
100000 Chinese. He ignored the
1000, 900 Roman Catholic converts
Mr.. Millard alleged that there was
great rebellion in the Christian mis-
sion schools in favor of nationalism
and the expulsion of foreigners. His
critic denies that the trouble was in
the mission schools, but that it Is
centered in government students, al
though it does not follow that all
students enjoying the advantage of
the mission schools are Christian con-
vertS. The critic further declines to
put the missionaries on the side of
IL
lists On the contrary, he saws, the
teaching of Christian missions has
sought definitely to inculcate an en-
lightened patriotism, and we are glad
that Chinese Christians have identi-
fed themselves fully with this ma
tionalist movement, as it will go far
to redeem the Christian church from
the charge of lack of patriotism
brought against it by the anti-Chris-
tian movement"
X X
Mr.. Millard points to the alleged
fact that the foreign-educated and
Christian Chinese in official life are
not, on the average, a bit more
patriotic or more honest than other
Chinese"
To that charge Mr.. Lee replies:
Mere foreign education does not
necessarily exert moral influence.
With regard to Christian Chinese,
there are very few in official life.
Conditions in Chinese politics are
such that 1t is very difficult for
Christians to take part in politics and
yet maintain their integrity. / know
personally only two Christians in high
official positions in China. They are
DIR. c. T. Wong, late foreign minister
and acting premier, and DIR. w w.
Yen, late premier of China. These
two men, however, in my judgment,
stand in class almost by themselves,
and command the respect and con.
fidence of both Chinese and foreigners
to an extent that would go far to
justify q contrary opinion to that
which Mr.. Millard has expressed