The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1905-12-24

and we have suffered much ridicule fol
our consideration of the Oriental But
the day is not far distant when the
wisdom and foresight of our course
will be evident. Although there have
been many discouraging features at
tendant upon putting our passive. hui
manitarian principles into effect after
all it will not be seed sown on barren
ground.
THE LEAVEN IS WORKING.
While the European powers have
Wed with each other in land-grabbing,
the American government has been
the pioneer in introducing education.
1t encouraged Japan to embrace west
ern civilization, and is now breaking
virgin soil in the Philippines. The
leaven seems to be working. The de-
sire for Improvement is spreading.
There has recently been organized in
Shanghai society called the World S
Chinese Students Federation, which is
a non-politicaI and non-religious asso-
citation, purely educational and social
in its character, having for its chief
purpose the following objects:
% To help the advancement of the
Chinese Empire by establishing a
translation department for the dissem-
nation of western knowledge.
2) A press for the publication of
modern books, newspapers and peri
OGicaIS.
90 An educational mission for the
propagation of modern education
through all parts of China and the in
PRODUCTION of one common language
among the masses.
"a To promote social unity and
sympathy among Chinese students re-
siding in all parts of the world and
to assist intelligent and deserving stu
dents to prosecute their studies abroad
for a period of no less than four years.
Commenting upon the organization
of this society, the principal foreign
journal of the Orient says: What
opinion throughout the European con-
tinent is obviously afraid of is lest the
example of Japan may not induce
China during the twentieth century to
get some satisfaction for what she has
suffered at European hands during the
nineteenth While Europe may we'll
be apprehensve, the United States has
nothing to fear on this account. The
more intelligent the Asiatics become,
the more they will appreciate what the
United States has done for them.
A
This enumeration of influences which
are likely to shape eastern affairs
makes it evident that there is little
cause for Americans to become fright
ened at the noise about the yellow
Peril" 1t is nine-tenthS hoax. Oh
course the japanese are the main per-
formers in the far eastern drama, ana
while they may not live up to the high
standard that is expected of them they
will hardly dare to offend one or both
of the great English speaking nations
whose friendship has made it possible
for them to make their fight unmolest-
ed. 1t will not be surprising if the
Japanese have their heads turned
little by their unbroken chain of sue
cesses. They have conquered one OF
the proudest and hitherto invulnerable
nations. and have been lauded and
praised by the whole world. They may
be inclined to swagger some, but their
statesmen understand that the SUI
preme test of their national mettle IS
yet to come
In the meantime nothing but negli-
gence and indifference can prevent the
United States from receiving the hon
share of the benefits which Will result
from the development of the East
Both our geographical position and our
national policy make US the natural
heirs to the bulk of this great trade.
Our portion of it would be much great
er at this tine but for the fact that we
are defaulting from our opportunities
We ought to have the ablest of our
consular and diplomatic representa-
tives stationed in this part Of the
world to vigflantly guard our interests
and promote our welfare. Our ousl-
ness people need a stronger and more
active organization. We have but 70
make the effort to become masters OF
the situation.
FREDERIC J. HASKIN.