The times., 1899-06-07
The Asintic Question.


placed copper coin so close to his eyes
that it looked bigger than the whole land
scape but there has been a great deal of
that sort of thing in the view which the
average American has hitherto taken Of
International politics and geographical
divisions In the child's geography d
whole page is given to the Two or three
States in the immediate vicinity of the
school. while The whole of Europe, Asia
or Africa is consigned to single map
The consequence is that the pupil uncon-
sciously imbibes the idea that China, India
and the Cape Colonies are small places
compared with Georgia. Massachusetts, or
New York, and the fastener does not
soon get rid of the impression that his
own particular State is as large as a West
ern State or Territory, whether such is
the case or not. 1t is only when the larger
map is studied that the true proportions
of things are seen. Then one may observe
that the South is considerably less than
one-quarter of the whole country SO far as
| territory goes that the whole of New Eng
| land could be set down in the middle Of
Texas, and that there is very big coun-
| try west of the Mississippi River
The same peculiar perspective exists in
regard to the maps of India and China. 1t
will surprise the average American to be
| told that India is more than half the size
Of the United States. and that China COM
prises one-twelfth of the land area and
one-fourth OF the population of the entire
globe. When this is thoroughly under
| stood, the Asiatic question assumes pro-
portions gigantic in comparison with any
affairs of local politics.
What is to be the future of China? At
present she is rather in the position OF a
derelict, floating about the ocean of time.
and given a wide berth by many of the
other ships on account OF possible COL
lision or pestilence. In spite of some gen.
| erations of experience, the Mongolian is
to the Anglo-Saxon practically an un-
known quantity. The combination of pub
| lie stagnation and private shrewdness and
quickness of comprehension in this great
Yellow Empire are matters of astonish-
ment TO the European. How can a people
as wise and practical as the Chinese
show themselves in private business put
up with the antiquated laws. customs and
religion, the wretched police service, and
the continual catastrophes which make up
the history of China? Is it possible for
the European or American nature ever
thoroughly to understand the Mongolian? :?
Is he always to be. so far as we are con-
cerned. a compound of ways that are
dark and tricks that are vain?"
Russia, being a hybrid of West and
East, may solve the problem. That is a
matter which time alone can determine.
What Russia needs is an outlet to the
sea. If she can get that, the patience of
the Oriental and the boldness and pro-
gressiveness of the European, so curious
ly combined in the nature OF the Slav,
will make good use of it.
Meanwhile. is America TO have any part
in this affair? That is a question which
is fast becoming important in interna-
| tional politics. 1t IS a matter TO which
probably not one person in a thousand
gave a moments thought two years ago,
even one year ago. Are we to stand with
England in trying to repress the aggres-
sions of Continental Europe? Are we to
hold aloof from the whole proceeding, or
are we to wait till destiny marks out for
US a policy as unmistakable as that Gre
ated by the battle of Manila? This is the
situation which confronts the intelligent
people of this country today. We have
stopped holding up the copper cent be-
| fore our eyes, and are striving to see the
world In its right proportions.