The Daily News. THURSDAY, AUGUST 17, 1905. CHINESE BOYCOTT OF AMERICAN GOODS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 7901, 17 August 1905, Page 2

The Daily News. THURSDAY, AUGUST 17, 1905. CHINESE BOYCOTT OF AMERICAN GOODS.

Some few weeks ago we drew attention to the manifest signs which termed the awakening of China to a sense of its importance in the political and commercial World. On that occasion we pointed out the dangerous policy pursued by thef, United States in playing fast and loose with China over the negotiations respecting a commercial treaty, where-, by the Chinese were so greatly incensed that they threatened a boycott of American goods. Recent cables from New York conUin unmistakable evidence that the threat was anything but idle words anil has become an accomplished tact, the American Consul-General reporting ! that the Chambers of Commerce at Shanghai are unable to stop the boycott which it is feared will extend .to other foreign goods. A significant factor in the situation is that it is controlled by the students, the officials being active. What this movement means is not difficult to realise when the present and future foreign trade with the Celestial Kmpirc is taken into consideration, and with it that other question of anti-Chin-ese legislation which has reached its highest si raining point in the United States. The July number of the Booklovers' Magazine contains a very interesting article on the subject of this Chinese boycott written by an American, Mr Harold Bolce, who has evidently guaged the possibilities of the reprisal. He says '—"A sustained anti-American propaganda In the Chinese Kinpirc has finally convinced the Mongolian leaders and masses that we have employed illegal methods in enforcing the Exclusion Act, that We have denied admission even to 'the- exempt classes, and k that looking upon all Chinese arrivals as coolies, we have subjected eminent merchants and intelligent students to indignities, and, without warrant of law, shipped them back to China. Because, therefore,, of the Chinese belief that race prejudice in the United States, crystaHscd into official action, has led us to violate Hie provisions of t'hc law which we framed ourselves, a retaliatory movement has been directed against all American merchandise entering the Chinese Empire. If all the other nations of lire earth, combined, should enter into coalition to bar American manufactures, such a world-wide movement Would,«in some respects, be less significant than this formidable boycott in China. An effective Chinese embargo upon our merchandise would almost annihilate our total export trade in cotton manufactures, as China now buys two-thirds of oil the cotton goods we sell abroad. It is, however, our exclusion from the portentous China of 10-morrow that calls for all the American stairmanship. If we fail to arrest this anti* American movement in Asia, all our pioneer diplomacy in keeping the door of the Orient open will be nullified, and Japan will complete the exploitation of the richest fu'l:l now open to maritime nations. Here ic the greatest empire. of Asia, with' a population of nearly half a billion, preparing to shut out American cargoes. At the present rate of China's development, it is conservatively estimated that within twenty-Ike years it will have a foreign trade valued at 2,(10(1,000,000 dollars. Should the seven thousand miles of railway now projected become realities, and the great coalbeds and gold and silver mines operated, and millions of agricultural acres be brought under up-to-date cultivation, China would probably become (he greatest importer among nations. Exporters make it clear that if we lose China we lose the Orient. Japan is not our market, hut our competitor." The question is one ili.ii will not affect America only, hut will have more or less influence in determining the altitude of other nations towards China, and unless they arc prepared to see Japan take over the greater part of the trade of the Orient they will have to recognise the necessity of adapling their legislation to Wie [altered circumstances of the lime. 'As a matter of fact *he civilised world has become imbued with His notion that China was too lethargic to resent any ill-treatment. This illusion,is being dispelled by.a process that should carry conviction, and those who persist in maintaining a sceptical attitude on the point will prohahly have cause to regret their inability to read the signs'! of the times,