The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-07-29
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interest to the average reader, since they
treat of the opening Of China and the rela-
tons between the Eastern and the West
ern world The last word of this book was
penned on April /, and the opening cen
fences of the chapter on China show the
knowledge which the author possessed OF
the forces az work there and the imminent
danger of crisis:
The suddenneis with which the entire Ierspec-
tive Of the political world has been changed by
recent developments in China is unprecedented.
That country, without question, has become the
focal point Of international politics Vast inter
ests there under contention-even the very
composition Of the worlds civilization 81 the
future is at stake upon the issue. Rarely have
Statesmen been under graver responsibility
than are the ministers in whose hands are the
threads OF Chinese politics, for they are in po-
sition TO determine the future course OF history
in such measure they understand and intelli-
gently influence the forces there at work.
II this was true four months ago, how
much more is it true today
Then follows a detailed description of
Chinese social and political institutions, Ie-
markabie for its condensation of great
deal of useful knowledge into d very fes
pages. The chapter is full OF interesting
facts and suggestions. and one trenciant
paragraph is as follows:
When we consider the spirit and temper of
Chinese society ard civilization, struck
first Of all by It's homogeneous character, its
power of assimilation. The repeated conquests
OF China by foreign invaders have left little or
no impression on her ancient morality AMI polity,
the conquerors having fallen instead into Chinese
ways and forms. Thus, the last conquerors-
the Manchus-have become even utraconservatiye
Of Chinese traditions, while the true Celestials
themselves are recruiting the reform parties.
When Dr. Reinsch says that to save ap-
pearance is the first rule OF the Chinese
official. he states a fact whose truth will
be easily discovered by the American Wis
itor to the Orient. In this connection he
notes that when the Emperor rides
through the streets of Pekin, they are car
peted in such a way as to shut out all ref
use from his sight and the gateways are
whitewashed only to the height 10 which
he can view them from under his cane by,
AT the same tine, the original idea of Chi
nese Government partially resembles that
of the ideal Republic OF Plato, in which all
governing officials should be educated men.
The education received by the mandarlns,
however, is so largely artificial as to unat
them for graphing with the graver prob
lens of Government, and thus official cor
ruptlon becomes a fact openly acknowl-
edged. The author states positively. how.
ever, that this dishonesty is not to be
found outside official relations, and that as
merchants and laborefs the Chinese are
absolutely reliable. OF Chinese patriotism
he believes that the idea of national pat
riotism has thus far slumbe red. and that
loyalty to local institutions is the only
patriotism which has been known to the
Chinese. a startlingly significant para
graph is the following:
Any rude or careless interference by foreign IA
tons with the cherished ideas or institutions q
the Chinese would start into life the notion Of
Chinese national individuality, and would imme-
diately bring forth feeling Of mutual relation
ship and dependence Foreign statesmen Will do
well 10 avoid the fatal error Of looking upon the
Chinese az mere helpless pawns.
Apparently the notion referred to has
been aroused by the Boxer movement. OF
this, DR.. Reinsch says:
The reforrners identified themselves with the
Chinese distinguished from the Manchu
tionality. They celebrated the birthday Of Con-
fucius. They went far enough herein TO give the
Empress pretezt 10 look upon them as rebeIlious
agitators whose cry for China, but not for
the Aanchu dynasty. The party Of reform was
really party Of nRtioualisIn IN its beginnings.
An interesting history OF the Chinese re-
form movement is then given. II may be
remembered in this connection that Ii
Hung Chang is not Manchu, but is of
pure Chinese blood.
After this comes an account Of the rail-
way developments in China, which have
had more to DO with her political history
thing else.
AS to the possibility Of foreign conquest
OF China the author has this TO say:
The question Of holding China by force and ad
ding large portions Of Chinese territory to the IA
uonal domains OF European powers must appear
fantastic When consider Chinese conditions. Toe
secret socleties alone, which the most active
and effective social organizations in the Empire
could easily prevent the actual seizure OF SOW
ereignty by European powers. y very different
condition from that in India would here confront
the invader The Chinese are an active ener-
eeiic race. For ages there has been with them
Il survival Of the hardest. Trained from youth
to subsist on tie most Inesgre diet TO get along
with little sleeJ, ard TO WORK patiently for
twelve or fourteen hours 4 day, these men sc0G
at difficulties and exertions which would within
year weary European TO death There IS no
overs'rained sensbiiiiy. Human lie is held SO
cheap thaty Icaple ofteu commit suicde simply
not 10 cause inconvenience to other.
DR.. Reinsch's observations on Russian
influence in the Orient are interesting and
original. He is of the opinion that Russia
has at present nothing to gain and every
thing TO lose By war in the Far East, and
that to favor a policy of disarmament was
the most natural and sensible thing she
could do. He admits that there is at pres
ent in Russia strong tendency toward I'M
perial aggrandiZement, and that Russian
opinion has lately grown more narrowly ma
uonalistic than ever before. He further
says:
SINE writers fear that in the mysterious work.
shop OF Asia, Russia may elaborate and force
upon the world the industrial and financial pre-
ponderance of SlayisIn. 1t should however, be
borne in mind thar Russia IS in entirely
different position in Asia from that which other
nations hold. She there originally, not
from desire for commercial exploitation, but
by following her destiny, the inward compelling
power Of national expansion At present, By
Bf 4Hasl1T
actually planting outpoet colonies OF Russians
and by entering upon policy OF conscious
imperialism, she Is IN danger OF materially weak
efulng herself on account OF too rapid ad-
vance. Russia assimilatgG, while England merely
supermposes her authority. Russians fond
Ui hkeuing their Empire 10 Rome; the acid by
which national and local organizers dissolved
into their elements, to be precipitated again in
the fern Of higher unity, is the Russian ma
tiOIal spirit Ii Russian advance should be al
lowed 10 go on naturally and gradually it
has IN the past, the power Of shat nation in
Asia would become almost irresistible; England
in opposing her word have the unfortunate
position Of Carthage, She would have to rely
Tor her defence on unassimilated subject nations
while Russia could summon against her the vast
masses that will gradually become penetrated
with the spirit Of Russian policy and ciyiliz1-
ton. Ia general economic considerations are
Of primary importance in British expansion; in
the expansion Of Russia, they are only second
airy.
Following this chapter comes an analy-
sis OF the relations existing in China be-
tween the various powers, and after this
a discussion OF the question whether, in the
history Of the world the conflict between
Oriental and Occidental civilization is to
result in the destruction OF one or the 9TH
er, or peaceful and harmonious fusion OF
the two. A part OF this chapter sums up
the situation in such a mastery way that
it is worth reproducing here, even ct some
length: