begins to look like the development of a scandalous
opposition to American enterprise in China. Owing to the
war putting a stop to the financing of public undertakings
in China by European capitalists and contractors, a
powerful American organization has turned its attention to
this country and in an entirely business sense has secured
contracts for the construction of certain railroads in
China. The transaction involves the expenditure of
$200,000,000 of American money, a considerable portion of
which will be spent for labor and other things. It is
admitted that there is absolutely nothing like "politics"
in the deal. The same remark applies with greater force to
the American loan for the conservency of a portion of the
Grand Canal. And yet we have Japan, Russia, France, Great
Britain, and even _Belgium_--a country that ought at least
to know what not to do to a state struggling to preserve
its elementary rights of existence--trying to interfere
with the construction of necessary public works in this
country, simply because America can do what these other
people cannot now do.

"China in Fetters"--a significant term for a Chinese newspaper to use.
It would seem as if these spheres of influence[1] had become linked
together into a chain for throttling purposes. I tried to tell you the
other day about them, but please listen to a little further explanation.
In the lobby of the hotel I found a journalist who knows things, who had
been in China many years.

"Explain to me," I asked him, "all over, from the very beginning, what
these things mean."

"The country which claims such a sphere," he began patiently, "claims
for itself the right to develop that territory."

"Suppose," I interrupted, "the Chinese themselves should wish to develop
this territory,--to open up a gold-mine, to build a railway,--would they
be allowed to do so?"

"Certainly, if they have the money."

"But if they haven't the money, if they must borrow?"

"Then they must borrow from the power which claims the territory."

"But if for some reason that power can't lend it to them,--can't spare
it, as is the case with all Europe at present,--or if for some other
reason does not wish to lend it, what then?"

He shrugged his shoulders.

"Fineesh! China can't borrow money from one power to 'start something'
in the sphere of influence claimed by another."

Apropos of all