THE CHINESE BOYCOTT.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 11645, 24 August 1905, Page 4

THE CHINESE BOYCOTT.

China seems to have scored all along the line with the popular movement instituted as a protest against the American exclusion laws. The boycott of American goods commenced in Shanghai in a small way three or four mouths ago, and for a ■time hung fire.. It spread qujckly x ever, as soon as the Americans themselves advertised it by their protests, and the province of Chili soon became its headquarters. It does not yet appear that the .Americans have any reason to congratulate , themselves on their escape, because, though they have made concessions, and have induced the Chinese Government to issue a conciliatory proclamation, the movement still continues. *The position is unquestionably serious from the manufacturers' point of view. A great trade had been established across the Pacific and the steamers running from San Francisco to Japan' and the Philippines frequently carried half their cargoes on to Chinese ports. Suddenly the demand for American goods ceased almost entirely in the Chinese- treaty ports, and there was some difficulty in unloading even the steamers at the wharves,. Mr Rockhill, the American Minister at Pekin, protested in vain. The Chinese Government declared first that it had no power to interfere with the boycott, or even to prevent the posting of anti-American placards. The native newspapers refused advertisements relating to American goods, and Chinese clerks refused to take employment in foreign offices. There was never a doubt as to the meaning of the protest. The manufacturers interested petitioned President Boosevelt to intervene, and at last the President promised- that the immigration laws should be relaxed as far as possible. Chinese teachers, students, merchants, and travellers bearing certificates from American Consuls, were to be given free entry into the United States, and immigration officers at all ports were instructed to deal courteously with Chinese seeking to land. Then the Chinese Government issued a half-hearted edict instructing provinoial governors to check the boycott. There the matter stands so far as China is concerned, but it is said that "a similar movement has been set on foot in Japan. However, Japan has a great deal to lose by offending the United States, and the Japanese boycott is not likely to attain serious dimensions.