Evening star., 1899-01-28


atics, whatever their condition at present,
have not forgotten the traditions of their
great past, and still entertain the ambition
to resume their former place In the world;
and they are quick to resent arrogant as
sumptions on the part of christendom.
The Asiatic is vain and ostentatious, and
Is greatly impressed by the pomp and cir
cumstance of power. and the outward dis
play of office, which is one reason why
oriental pofentateS in their department,
prociamations and surroundings employ
grandiloQuence and ostentation that seem
ridiculous to the sober northern races of
Europe.
A Low Degree of IndividuaIism.
But, on the other hand, the oriental places
little value on merely personal dignity or
character. the motives which in Japan led
to the custom of mutual harakiri to wipe
out an insult being quite exceptional in the
east. The Asiatic generally cares little If
his own character Is aspersed. If he is called
a mean slave, a liar. Il thief; and he is
laughed at by his fellows if he shows
genuine rage under such circumstances.
The long unbroken despotiSm of the east,
while uniting the people for immediate
popular government, has also lowered in
dividualism, and has made such personal
eplthetS harmless. But let us not make he
mistake. therefore. OF reViling the Asiatic
for his race or religion. Those are preroga-
tiyes in which all the community is con-
cerned, by which they live and die and in
which all center their pride. The man or
nation that attacks those he considers an
untorgivable foe. Orientals also are seri-
Gus. They have little sense of humor ex-
cepting the Japanese and the Persians.
Laughter, when they are not in liquor is
rarely heard among them. In this respect
even the Scotch must yield precedence.
But If they lack this sense. the contrary.
they have n Shrewd wit keen as a DamaS-
Gus blade. that has found expression in
whole literatures Of biting and pithy cpl
grams, and they are sharp to read cnarac-
ter and to detect the weaknesses Of Eu-
ropeans. In spite of their ignorance of
many matters which every school boy
knows in our country they keen in touch
with the intrgues and jealousies Of Eu-
ropean courts and their foreign policies
and are surprisingly subtitle in devising
schemes TO circumvent European ambition.
Russia s scheme for general disarmament
has doubtless been discussed in every Zena-
nan or princelins's pavilion from the Pacific
to the Mediterranean: and its real aim un-
erringfy detected, which is doubtless to Law
a trap for England and England alone in
which the astute bear of the north shall
hnaly lead the powerful but sometimes
oVercreduloUs British lion to the loss of his
asiatic possessions. The frankness and
credulity of England, notwithstanding the
many lessons she has received of the
duphcity of her traditional rival, give Il
plausible hope of the success of the plot.
We Americans are still quite as craIuious
and will need some severe lessons before
we learn to distinguish between foreign
professions and actions.
Weakness WouId BE Fatal
hi'NlS 10 diiotHtF point TO De considered
in dealing with Asiatics No weakness
should be displayed. To recede before an
oriental is fatal. Be kind suaye, polite.
slow. If needs be. in coming to a resolution
often it is better to be quick-but when the
foot is put down there it must stand. Any
other course is sure 10 be misunderstood.
lrreSoution is invariably mistaken for fear
Infinite annoyance and disaster NAV follow
a waverng course, even though humanity
and avoidance of b!oodshed be the aim
The addition of SO much heather" terri
tory 10 our dominiOnS is naturally arouSing
the interest of churches. This is proper
enough if our govern ment has the sense
and resolution to keep this sentiment
within bounds. There will be many of more
zeal than discretion who will desire to use
the government to overturn old institu-
tons and customs. and force people into
heaven by civil and military power. rather
than by precept. judiciously advanced. and
especially by example. which is the surest
way to promote progress. Whatever pro-
visions might demand of states seeking
admission to The Union, clearly a greater
latitude should be allowed the people of a
territory. Let lis hot hasten to put the
yoke of prejudice and sumptuary law.
which bears so heavily on some of our peo-
pie, tCo severely on the neck of these
Asiatics. or even on Ihc people of Cuba and
Porto Rico Give them time to adapt their
characters to our principles and inStitu-
tions, and win rather than force, them to
do SO Let us overlook many points that
may seem strange or Illegal to us so long
as torture is not praCticed or life not at
tackled by their customs. 1t should not be
insisted. for example, that garb is an evi-
dence of piety sin.
1t is possible for one to be hopefully pious
and yet scantily clad. Manchester prints
do not always indicate virtue. 1t is con-
ceivabe that if the apostles were to be
seen in Washington as they appeared by
the Lake of Tiberius they might me muicted
in five dollars or thirty days" Let US
also go slowly in fosting on the Asiatics
al
American form of tyranny. the right of
eminent domain, whereby the authorities
seize any land in sight and pay for it prac-
tically at the valuation of the SeiZer Ash
atics, who are not accustomed to see even
their most despotic rulers practicing this
quasi right might not understand it.
Parental Relations.
In one respect Asatics with scarce an
exception present an example worthy the
consideration of our people, with whom the
spirit Of independence is carried to a de-
gree that weakens the relation of parents
and children. In Asia parents do not al
low their personal aims and ambitions to
dull an unseitsh love for their children,
while the latter invariably comport them
selves toward their parents with a rever-
ence that as the parent approaches Old age
becomes almost i cult. 1t is a point of
considerable Importance to the United
States that we are to enter Asia at a quar-
ter where our trade will meet a brisk de-
me- nj ana with races that are Keen traders.
The commercial instinct is far from univer-
sal in Asia. The Turks and their congeners
are far better fitted for war or administra-
ton. But the Armenans, among Others
the Persians, including the original stock. or
ParSeeS, and the Chinese, have a genius
for commerce. Now, the Importance, the
real value of colonies to the commercial
and manufacturing power that owns them
is in the markets they offer for home goods
or as stepping stones for increase of trade
Colonies are to the proprietary country ,
what leaves are to the parent trunk, what
lungs are to the heart AS they expand and
continue healthy the home country MAIN
tains its vitality and its vigor increases.
But to this end the colonies must be in
harmonious relation with the home govern
ment. This can only follow from the eX-
ercise of tact moderation and knowledge
of the character of the governed The Gus |
toms prejudices of the foreign posses
sions should not be hastily or heedleSsly at
tackled. Their modification or abrogation |
should be allowed to time and example |
rather than the direct pressure of law.
Such astounding blunders as that which |
led to the fearful horrors of the Indian |
mutiny of 1858 should be carefully avoided |
in dealing with ASiatics Respect their |
prejudices and they will gradually forget |
them by contact with sensible and prac- |