President Eliot speaking before the Seminary of Economics on "The Chinese Clerk, Salesman, Mechanic and Coolie" yesterday afternoon, described the character and present economic status of the masses of the Chinese race. As a result of the insecurity of property due to the extortion hitherto practiced on the rich by Manchu officials, a professional or upper class does not today exist in China. The classification of clerks, salesman, mechanic and coolie therefore includes practically the whole of the Chinese race.

These masses, probably over 400,000,000 in number, perform the work of horses and oxen in the agricultural districts and of steam and electricity in the cities. "China," said Dr. Eliot, "is the one country visited in which I found human muscle for every purpose the cheapest form of power."

These coolies, who perform harder physical labor for longer hours than do most beasts of burden and in addition undergo the worst of privations and hardships, are nevertheless possessed of the greatest cheerfulness. Naturally immobile and entirely devoid of nervous emotion, the race is characterized by the greatest patience, and many centuries of suffering have strengthened it against all external conditions.

Promising Future.

While the country at present is undeveloped to a deplorable extent, the future is not altogether black. The race is naturally able and possessed of sound moral attributes. One weakness, however, is found in the inability of the leading statesmen to withstand prolonged mental strain. Next to the demand for adequate medical aid, some relaxing outdoor sport is the greatest need of the Chinese race.

The one important consideration at the present time is that the six great foreign powers do not interfere in Chinese affairs with selfish motives. Since the revolution the United States alone of the foreign powers has been trusted by China.