Evening star., 1928-06-03
District Has Finest Collections of Chinas Art and Lit
BY WILLIAM RUFUS SCOTT.

~ HINA'S present troubles lend
4 emphasis to the fact that Wash
ington has safely stored in the
Freer Gallery OF Art and the
Library Of Congress collections
Of Chinese paintings and literature
which in some respects are the f1neSt
collections in the world, not even eX-
cluding China itself
These collections now have reached
the point where Chinese who want to
see The best examples of their native
paintings or to study the most COM
plete sets of their native books must
come to Washington, and the same is
true Of European scholars who consider
themselves familiar with the art and
literature Of China.
The Freer Gallery has nearly 1900
Chinese paintings, 700 bronzeS and 500
Jades, to list some outstanding items.
The Library OF Congress has about no.
900 Chinese books and manuscripts.
These figures by no means encompass
the collections of Oriental art and
literature, for both institutions have eX-
tensive japanese and other Far Eastern
works and their collections are grow
ing by long strides each year.
There is every expectation that the
pre -eminence of Washington as center
OF Chinese art and literature viii be eX-
tended. Not only do these two lnStltu-
tions enlarge their collections by pur-
chase. but gifts of great value from pri-
vate collectors. or acceSsions under the
wills Of wealthy friends OF the inStltu-
tions. swell the accumulatlons.
The civil war raging IN China has
4ile dual effect OF destroying much
priceless material in that country, to
the profound regret Of both Chinese
and Western scholars, and Of causing
much other material TO be sold TO for
eign countries openly or by smuggling
The art and literature sent to foreign
countries at least viii be safely kept for
future generations and that is a con-
ISOLATION even TO those Chinese who hate
TO see their own country lose them.
One wonders what the fate Of rare
art and books viii be in Peking and
other places IN the path OF the Chinese
armies. Often the common soldiers do
not understand the value Of the art or
care nothing for It, and looting, fire and
the general destruction Of warfare are
wiping out objects and books which
Western collectors would pay great
sums 10 obtain.
In the Forbidden City IN Peking. for
instance. the area within the city which
was set aside for the imperial family.
there are examples of Chinese art and
literature which would bring millions
OF dollars IL America or Europe Some
Chinese generals have taken some Of
this material and sold Il for ammuni-
ton, % pay soldiers with or 70 enrich
themselves. Smuggling Of the art and
books for such sale Is said TO be going
on constantly A modern vase might
be substituted By the Smuggler for a
rare Ming dynasty vase. for example.
Many modern Chinese leaders want
- save their country's art and books
and hope that The present Nationalist
movement may unity China sufficiently
20 stop the 1ow Of these yalllables 70
other countries. get the prospect OF do
ing this completely is not believed by
competent American observers within
any immediate realization Egypt al
ready hzs awakened TO the value Of her
sncisrt art and no longer allows it TO
De sent out d the country. Eeyerthe-
Jess the Egyptian student must 90 TO
Lozcon or 30 the United States 70 see
the finest examples CT his own coUntrys
ar, which was genoFed before Egypt
swoke 20 It's value.
Japan Is the keener rival Of the
United States for Chinese art and
Literature and the japanese collections
n some respects are superior 70 those
an Washington. Being so near China
% acquire sfse material, and the similar
stg of the Chinese and japanese IAN
gl1sgss. art and literature further give
japanese collectors SO advantage, but
Washington holds pre-eminence Il Ger
tain Chinese paintings in the FTeeE Cal
serT and II some items of literature at
toe Library Of Congress
American officials e China who have
taken 70 interest &c Chinese books have
So r&rt~a 1t
gyess collection. Assistant Secretary o.
State Nelson T. johnson, for instance,
saas given the Library 1,012 volumes
which he collected while he was in.
C1ila II the consular service. The gift
wzs rated 1.2e outstanding acquisition IL
fspe Te&g fsZz-25. II included books of
Ch3nese lsw o. the highest value, az hr.
sFssa-soo specialized in this field Of re-
Wssyea &c China for several years