The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1898-07-01
FOSTER on FhINA
REUNITED STATES MINISTER
LECTURE
A Close Friend of the Emperor, He
Predicts the Future-ghe Empire
i Will Be Divided

AMHERST, Mass, June 30.-John w.
roster delivered an address on the Chi
hese Empire at the SevenH-seventh COM
mencement exercises of Afherst College.
Referring to the fact that he had been re-
quested by President GateS to discuss the
topic of the Chinese EmpireI land its possible
future. Ex-Secretary FosteHcited the state.
ment of British Capinet Minister that
history furnished no example of the pres
ent situation of China-of a great empire
without having received vital blow, I'M
able to resist the feeblest form of attack.
lie proceeds to review the country and its
people in order to explain this anomaly Of
history.
The great need of China today, he said,
was an intelligent, courageous leader who
could cut loose from the dead past and
bring to its people the Improvement of
modern social, commercial and govern
mental methods. Japan, which was the
natural ally of China. he said. had precipi-
tated the present crisis by its ambitious
designs which afforded pretext of Euro
pean Intervention.
The Acknowledgement of China seems i'm
minent. Mr.. Foster thinks. The nation
which can and is most likely to prevent 1t
is Great Britain. In concluding Mr.. Foster
said:
Added to these large and growing in
terests. there has come a concurrence of
political events of the highest influence
and magnitude. The Hawaiian Islands, the
strategic outpost of the military defense
of our Pacific Coast territory, and the half
way station of our commerce with Asia,
are knocking for admission to the Ameri-
I1nfnn Mt ho Of
manity, we are at war with Spain to give
freedom to nearby people, the Cubans.
But, strangely enough, the first blow in
the conflict is struck in the far Pacific and
the victory to our arms gives us control,
temporarily at least, of a country con-
shutting an empire in extent and popu-
lation.
Joined to these is the friendly sympathy
manifested by the British people in this
conflict. While most of the nations of
Europe criticise our attitude and would re-
toice in Spanish success, the British people
and government have shown unmistakable
appreciation of our cause. Those OF us
who believe in an overriding power which
controls in the affairs of nations as in indi-
viduals, may see in these events the plead
ings Of providence calling the American
peopie u Stlll greater participation aid
interest in the affairs of the Far East.
Under these circumstances it is impos-
sible for us to look upon the situation In
China with Indifference as our interest in
preserving free commercial intercourse
with that country comedies with that of
Great Britain.
1T Is fortunate that the present war has
brought us more closely together and led us
to forget the causes which have partially
estranged us in the past A political al
lance is not necessary to bring about CO.
operation Of the British and American
government in Chinese affairs. But it is
happy augury for the future of the an
cient empire in its crisis of distress that
there is concurrence of interests and
views respecting it in two branches of the
Anglo-Saxon race. If England and Ameri-
ca can. by its common policy. give security
to the government bring about better
and purer system of administration, and
break down the spirit of conservatism,
there may come to China an era of power
and prosperity unequaled in the past"