New-York tribune., 1902-10-18
EASTERN CONDITIONS.
REFLECTIONS ON THEM BY BISHOP
POTTER.
THE EAST OF TO-DAY AND TOMORROW. By
Henry Goldman Potter. Bishop Of New-York
LIMO. pp. $50. The Century COMPANY

THE EAST OF TO-DAY AND TOMORROW. BY
henry Goldman Potter. Bishop Of New-York
LIMO. pp. $50. The Century Company.
The half dozen papers reproduced in this vol
ume have appeared in various periodicals in the
! last year or two. They form one Of the results
Of an extended journey made by Bishop Potter
in the Orient, presenting the reflections Of a
keen mind that sees below the surface OF things
in the East. The author had some exceptional
facilities for observation and for conversation
with men OF light and leading in the countries
he visited
He takes US first to China and discourses on
Chinese Traits and Western Blunders" The
key TO the Chinese character he finds in the Gu
rlous combination OF indirection, insensibllty
and selishness that il contains. The Chinese do
not want to understand US or be understood by
US; because first, OF their enormous contempt
for the outside barbarian. and secondly, of their
imperturbable contentment with their own life
and land and all that belongs TO them. The i'm
perturbability has been rudely assaulted Of late
years and, though many reactions are likely TO
mark its progress, a great change is Inevitable.
Bishop Potter speaks for the rights of China
and against putting down venerable and his
torc civilization"
one OF his most interesting papers however
much its conclusions may be debated IS that
on The Problem Of the Philippines" which was
much discussed at the time OF its first publica-
tion. The things that have happened since
then have not been in the direction Of his some
what pessimistic views and expectations. but he
has many sound things to say. Very whole
some is his comment on the attempts 20 compare
cur own struggles for independence and that of
the young guerilla warrior in the PbiIinpines.
saying nothing of the just doubts that must be
felt as TO the integrity OF his record and the
honesty Of his purpose. Bishop Potter thinks
the comparison is simply IAN intoerabe i'm
pertinence." We welcome the sincerity Of mis-
assurance that our soldiers in the Philippines
are doing their work there so to earn the ev-
ident confidence Of the communities amonr
which they stationed. and TO give proof 70
these Of the spirit and purpose Of our presence
in the Philippines"
The significant thing In Japan 10 him was the
fact that whatever the new empire arising there
has done il has done we'll. Japan Is pra-emi-
rently country 10 be taken seriously AMI vet
as our traveller points out. foreigners m the
country and out of il. and many writers, too
often think it necessary to take everything there
as huge opera bouffe. Perhaps the smiling
faces that the stranger sees and the merry
laughter that he so often hears, and that Ger
tain quaint prettiness" which the Bishop in
common with all other travellers, has found
mere go Tar toward producing this hab
OF mind in regard 10 Japan. He views the
Invasion Of Occidental ways of thought and
OF American modernisms" in general with
OUT the apprehension that is generally ex-
pressed II is natural, he says that In their
hist Efforts to appropriate these Western forces
lhe people should take over much that is acci-
oeh'aI rather than essential This will right IT.
seli-is already doing so; and IT, 20 speak Of one
Pc the men adopt the Western dress be-
CAUSE VI It's convenience. he has no fear OF the
women dlsearding their beautiful garments In
Ihula the achievements OF British rule strike
'nls observer as one Of the most wonderful
uiihss IN history. 1t has given the humblest
iAulAh servant security and justice; has over
0oihe racial characteristics in developing annbi-
Hoi aho LEGAL enthusiasms; has brought the
li'uiah rulers together around the Viceroy. con-
~ 'ihs an any state power anything il had
- - 10 conserve IL has put over India n great
DouS OF civil servants. sympathetic ana of
I1ihed capacity who. in the tong continued
oiseharge of the gravest responsibilities boys
SHOWN The highest qualities that the eircum-
'Nes demanded He has little Of the fear thar
even some English writer's have exnrsssas g.
the future OF India "
II Is natural 20 look IN the ,tterancss -. o,,
neloing the high ecclesiastical nos,r,or ~ .hs
author OF THE book for some words a, ,hs