The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-01-27
THE PARTITION OF China
The Question Debated by George
town Law Students.
Arguments Adducetl for and Against
such n Course From the Standpoint
of Its Ultimate Effect on Civiiiza-
tion-T'he Various Speakers Warm
Iy CompIimcnted by the Judges.

Law students of the debating society of
the Georgetown Law School last night
discussed the question of the partition of
China, and from the argument advanced
the judges decided that such a course
would not be- in the language of the reso-
luton, wholesome TO civilization" The
event was the second public debate of
the season and was attended by large
number of the friends Of the college.
Thomas B. Flynn, the president of the
society presided and introduced the
speakers. The first speaker for the af-
firmative was Aloysius H. Twibill. Among
other things he said:
''The ends of civilization cannot be at
tained except by the partition of China.
Civilization has for its objects the bet
terment Of the individual. no matter
where he may reside. The foremost power
of the world is impotent to better the
conditions of Chinas masses. The Chi
nese are welded to the. memories of the
past. They imagine their civilization the
peer of any. She must be forced to take
her medicine; she must be aroused from
her slumber. The combined action of the
world alone can regenerate China. United
effort by European Powers only can rem
der civilization triumphant.
The speaker referred to the civilizing
influences of England and other European
countries and predicted like progress
for China under the domination of the
powers
George F. Downing opened for the mega
tive. He briefly compared the history of
the civilization of the East and the West,
traced the rise of the domestic arts and
sciences in China and declared the su-
perior growth of the West to be in ele-
ments of aggression and destructibili,y
asserting that the growth of the East had
Deen In peaceful occupations and by peace
full means, whereas the history of the
West furnished evidence of growth hy
conquest and bloodshed. He enquired into
the motive underlying this proposed par
tttion, and reviewed the causes leading
up to the recent outbreak in China Taxi
ing each OF the Powers one by one he
showed that their concessions and possess
sions on Chinese soil had been wrung from
the Chinese by force, intimidation and
bloodshed. He severely scored the intro
duction of the Christian religion by force
of arms, and condemned the hypocrisy of
masking coercion under the guise of re-
ligion.
James A. Toomey followed for the af-
frmative. He declared that the partition
of China would be in the nature of part
nership between China and the Powers
An agreement between the nations would
result in equal advantage to all, and
would be a safeguard against dissension
and strife. BY such course, he said the
Christian religion would be recognized and
practiced safety would be guaranteed TO
foreigners, the commerce of all the world
would thrive and modern ideas and meth
DDS would be introduced and developed.
He said partition was the only practical
solution of the troublesome Chinese ques-
tion. Il China was not divided some
strong and aggressive nation like Russia
or Japan would step in and seize China for
its own advantage, shutting out the rest
OF the world.
J. Vincent Coughlar closed for the mega
tive. He cited authorities to show that
interference could not be justified on
grounds of religion, and pointed out that il
was opposed to the policy Of this Gov
ernment. He argued that a partition
would bring on an endless friction over
boundaries; that the claims Of the various
Governments could not be readily ad-
justed; that 1t would necessitate a war Of
conquest; that the different tariffs of each
section would be an impediment TO trade;
that the expenses OF maintaining an army
and navy the salaries of officials, etc,
would exceed any income that this coun-
try, at least, could hope to derive from
the partition, and finally that the low rate
OF production in China would cause a
stagnation in manufacturing and agricul-
tural industries throughout the rest of the
world
Mr.. Toomey concluded in rebuttal for
the affirmative.
The judges were Representative James
T. Lloyd OF Missouri Charles II. Duell
Commissioner of Patents, and Robert w.
Wilcox, Delegate from Hawaii In render
.ng their decision for the negative. Mr..
Lloyd said that the judges had decided
that the best argument had been made by
Mr.. Coughiau, the best oratorical effort
by Mr.. Twihill. the most frank and pleas
ant address by Mr.. Toomey, and the most
humorous by Mr.. Downing