The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1915-09-24
Advice From, China !.

INUANt SI4I-KAPS recent address 10 his cabi-
| i net officials, as translated, has been Of ex-
Extraordinary. interest TO Fngsh-speaking peoples,
and should be especially pondered by the citizens
OF the United States. 1t Is somewhat strange
| that advice should come to us firm China, yet
1.-THE truth IS the truth no matter where, when or
how il is expressed, says the indianapolis News.
| 1t should be read by all those who are seriously
interested. in the matter of national defense Is
the condition Of this country comparable to that
| of Chinai Listen TO what Yuan says:
\ rOur Country does not manifest any sign OF
instability chaos or the lack Of confidence Of
other nations and il is most unlikely that any
nation for the present will invade or insult our
country. But when we thins OF the neglect of
discipline by our soldiers, the Irregularities in
administrative affairs, the calamties OF floods
and drought throughout the provinces, the SELF
| ishness OF some officials and the lack of public
spirit among the people, we can not help reaiz-
| ing the fact that we enjoying ourselves while
reposing on bed of straw with kindling fire
beneath it," 5,,aG.
Z, Chinese have had good reason to "le on straws
and taste bitterness" Their country, under
Manchu and dictator has had no adequate sys-
TEN of national defense. Aside from the newly
lroused patriotism bf the South Chinese, the peo-
1 pie have been deaf to, warning and blind to
Developments on the frontier, They have been
cursed with dishonesty in official matters, and
i their military has been more tnercenary than
patriotic. While the bulk remained indifferent,
lchanges came about Korea has been absorbed"
Iby Japan South Manchuria has been lost politi-
cally, possibly never to be regained. Chinese
influence in outer Mongolia has suffered perhaps
fatal lapse. And finally, while European ma
tons were otherwise engaged and while the Chi
nese remained stolid, the recent crisis with Japan
developed Although Japan did not get all that
was demanded. the fact that China supported its
rights as well as it did was not due either to pre-
paredness or loyal unity. fGA'f }H 1IilGn4r;
/ To paraphrase Yuan's words-ws do, Hot mani
fest any sign Of instability chaos or the lack Of
confidence of other nations, and it is most un-
likely that any nation for, the present will invade
or insult our country. Unlike the Chinese, our
official system is not corrupt is it unmindful
of national needs.S But the point is that neither
country, enjoys degree of the protection which
il should have, considering its size, wealth and
population To quote Yuan again: "Some per-
sons say that account of our vast country and
population, the destruction Of our Country by an
alien people. is an impossibility." Yuan did not
have to search for examples to prove the contrary
as far as China is concerned. His advice to his
countrymen is timely Apphed"to this country,
it is by no means inappropriate We are vast
people, and we have that which the Chinese have
not-a general, intelligent and active apprecia-
ton OF possibilities. This is an essential element
in preparedness. Without it we should be but
little better situated than the Chinese.