Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

d. For the progress of Christianity, missionaries in China should divest themselves of special privileges. The China Inland Mission does not call for any form of protection provided in the treaties, but the British government insists on its right to withdraw or even deport a missionary who does not follow the advice of the consul. It may not be legal for Americans to divest themselves of protection as citizens under the treaty rights.

21. EFFECTS OF THE INDUSTRIALIZATION OF THE FAR EAST

SUMMARY REPORT FROM THE FOLLOWING ROUND TABLES: ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF INDUSTRIALIZATION: MR. LEEBRICK, CHAIRMAN. THE FUNCTIONS OF GOVERNMENT IN RELATION TO INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT: MR. WILLOUGHBY, CHAIRMAN. THE INTERNATIONAL ASPECTS OF INDUSTRIALIZATION: MR. KOO, CHAIRMAN.

In addition to Round Table and Forum discussions, three public addresses were given. (See pages 119-131.)

See also a statement by Mr. Hornbeck on "The Open Door Policy and Spheres of Interest," No. R62 of papers distributed to members.

The general problem of the industrialization of the oriental countries was considered at several round tables dealing with different aspects of the problem. In considering the advantages and disadvantages of industrialism two divergent points of view came out. One was that the modern industrial system was a fact, and an inevitable one, and our task was to find how its good features might be emphasized and its evils avoided. The other view was that, in so far as China is concerned, that country was not committed to industrialism and was studying its methods and effects in other lands with an open mind and some skepticism. There is no doubt of the greater production of goods when capital, machinery and western methods are employed, but that great production would mean more happiness and well being seemed to be open to question.

It was pointed out that in a country like China there is a great difference between the use of foreign capital under foreign control and for the advantage of the foreigner, and the borrowing of money by the nationals of the country from foreign sources to be used under their own control. A third use of foreign capital is illustrated in Japan where there are enterprises under joint Japanese and foreign control. Where the foreigner comes in to manage and control for his own ends many serious results follow, such as exploitation of the resident labor and political interference.

The growing labor problem in the Orient was given much consideration In Japan, where industrialization has made great progress, there is a substantial body of labor legislation, although it was indicated that the condition of the women workers in mines and textile mills left some things to be desired. In China there is nothing by way of governmental protection of labor and the conditions in many of the factories are deplorable. Labor unions and Farmers Leagues are growing and are already forces to be reckoned with. The view was expressed that it was the people of China, rather than the government, that must be reckoned with until such time as the government shall really come to represent the people.

There was a disposition to question the statement that the industrial development of the Orient would have an unfavorable effect on Europe and America, although it was fairly apparent that this must be true unless the conditions of labor and the standard of living were substantially improved in the Orient, especially in China and India. The view was expressed by several that the industrialization of China should proceed slowly and as naturally as possible if grave consequences were to be avoided.

The effects of extraterritoriality in China upon the commercial and industrial development of that country were given much consideration. It was the conviction of the Chinese members of the Institute that as long as the various infringements on Chinese sovereignty continued a normal development was impossible. The special privileges and legal inequalities give rise to unfairness, uncertainty and bitter feelings. There is a strong sentiment in favor of the Russians and Germans because of their surrender of extraterritorial rights. This predisposes the Chinese in favor of the Bolshevists, but the character of the Chinese and their civilization are against the spread of Bolshevism.

22. DEVELOPMENT OF THE NATURAL RESOURCES
OF CHINA

ROUND TABLE (ONE MEETING): MR. LEEBRICK, CHAIRMAN

A statement was presented by Mr. Au-Young: Some Aspects of China's Resources. (See No. II of papers distributed to members.)

In the discussion significant facts and points of view were presented by various members:

1. Experts differ widely on the amount of the mineral resources of China. The quality and availability of these resources is also largely undetermined.

2. Wheat flour is imported in considerable quantities into China at the same time that wheat is exported.

3. In the Philippines white bread is found to be cheaper than rice for food.

4. As wages have increased in Japan, the consumption of wheat has increased 25 per cent.

5. Intelligent Chinese think the "control clause" in the consortium is too domineering.

6. The "Open Door Policy" as now practised in China is a laissez faire policy guided by the least scrupulous nation. The problem concerns Great Britain and several European countries as well as the Pacific nations.

Constructive suggestions and further viewpoints made in the course of the discussion (no attempt was made to secure unanimity on these suggestions):

1. It is essential for China's development that she welcome foreign capital and foreign technical experts, and that she work out a plan to protect them and their interests. Chinese business men could take more interest than they do in stabilizing the political situation.

2. China should make every effort to maintain her reputation for meeting her obligations promptly.

3. Joint investments by foreign and Chinese capital is a very good method. There should be more of this type of investment by individuals and companies.

4. The present national government of China is unsatisfactory but is kept going by loans made by foreign countries or interests. These loans should be stopped.

5. The "Open Door Policy" should be made more adequate and in its revision the United States should take the lead.

6. The industrialization of China should be deliberately slowed up by some kind of international regulations governing foreign capital investments.

23. EXTRA-TERRITORIALITY

ROUND TABLE (ONE MEETING): MR. LEE, CHAIRMAN

(Presented in outline as Round Table report; revised after discussion in the Forum)

Extraterritoriality in its modern form at least in the Far East, began with the Treaty of 1843 between Great Britain and China, following the Treaty of Nanking. It was a right granted by China to foreigners. It removed them from the jurisdiction of the national courts. But being a right it carried with it a corresponding duty, the duty of the foreign powers to see to it that their nationals were kept in order and that when they

offended, not merely their own laws but the laws of China, that they be duly tried and if found guilty adequately punished. This duty has rarely been performed. Few countries provided consuls equipped to perform these duties; few made adequate provisions for the punishment of their nationals. As a result, the Chinese have suffered wrongs just as the Japanese and Siamese had. But Japan and Siam have won their freedom. China alone is the subject to this impairment to her sovereignty.

In the early days when foreign intercourse with China was small and the foreigners confined to a few treaty ports, the system could have been mutually advantageous to all concerned. But with the development of commerce and missionary activities and the presence of nationals from many treaty powers at the open ports, and the right of all to travel in the interior and of missionaries to hold property and reside there, the system became very complicated and developed far beyond the ideas of early negotiators.

There was general agreement in the Round Table that the principle of extraterritoriality is wrong and that its practice has been not quite fair and just to China.

But opinion was divided when the question of abolition was discussed. One point of view was that while the relinquishment of extraterritorial rights by the Treaty Powers should come at the first opportunity, it should come step by step with the development of an adequate judicial system in China. It was pointed out that the condition of laws and courts does not warrant its abolition at present. It is true that some of the new codes have been drafted but China has not a sufficient number of adequately trained judges to sit not merely in the large treaty ports but in all the courts of First Instance throughout the country. It was also pointed out that the unsettled political conditions in China make it necessary to maintain the system. The security of life and property in China is vital. It was suggested that we should study the situation as to why the delay of relinquishment continues and that both China and the Treaty Powers should study carefully the method of abolition in Japan and Siam.

Among the Round Table members there were some who had attended the Washington Conference (1921-1922). They informed the other members of the Round Table that the participants in the Washington Conference admitted that the principle of extraterritoriality is wrong and that the practice has been unfair, and they decided to agree in the establishment of a commission to investigate the actual state of affairs in China with a view to the abolition progressively or otherwise. The report of the commission would be considered by the signatory powers and then they would altogether come to a definite decision. There has been delay in

the appointment of this commission. This delay has not been caused by any of the powers outside of China. That can be said without question, therefore it is purely a Chinese question.

The other points of view concerning this question of abolition was that China should be given a trial. It was pointed out that in China there are ten nations including Russia, Germany, and Austria, which have no extraterritorial rights. Of these, criticisms have been made with reference to the administration of justice among Russians in Manchuria only, China has made some progress in her judicial reform-new civil laws have been codified; one hundred and twenty-two modern law courts and forty-nine modern prisons have been constructed up to the present; law schools for the training of lawyers and judges have been established in almost every province. It was stated that extraterritoriality is itself one of the underlying causes of the unsettled conditions in China. The strike started in Shanghai on June 1st of this year is a concrete example. It gives rise to the diversity of laws and multiplicity of courts and makes possible the evasion of justice on the part of unscrupulous foreigners. In view of the existing evils of the system, there is general agitation in China for its immediate abolition.

The Commission agreed upon at Washington Conference is not welcome in China because diplomatic policies of the Powers in China are too much under the dictation of the foreign merchants who have thrived under the special privileges conferred by this system and are therefore opposed to any attempt towards a change of the situation.

The public within the countries enjoying this special privilege should be informed of the inadequacies and abuses of the system so that they may see the wisdom of initiating a process looking forward to its ultimate abolition.

Papers bearing on Extra-territoriality are "Legal and Judicial Reforms in China" by L. N. Chang and "What China Desires to See Rectified in Her International Relations" by Ta Chen. (See Nos. 76 and 32 of papers distributed to Members.)

24. CUSTOMS CONTROL, TARIFF REVISION, AND
FOREIGN LOANS

ROUND TABLE (TWO MEETINGS): MR. TSURUMI, CHAIRMAN

The Round Tables on customs, tariffs, and loans were preceded by public addresses: Foreign Loans in China, by Mr. Chen; Loans and Investments in Countries of the Pacific, by Mr. Jenks; and What China Desires to see Rectified in Her International Relationships, by Mr. Ta Chen. (See Nos. 38, 73 and 32 of papers distributed to members, p. 206.)

« AnteriorContinuar »