blic and press clamor, attempts to
institute a boycott, and finally, when the Power whose
interests are affected, intimates that it has had enough
of this tomfoolery--collapse of the whole agitation.... If
the French Legation, after allowing sufficient time for
the self-styled patriots to let off steam, intimates that
this nonsense has got to cease, the great crusade for the
protection of China's sovereign rights over fifteen
hundred mow [three hundred and thirty-three acres] of land
formally promised to the French authorities several months
ago, will collapse as suddenly as it began. Whenever a
crisis in China's foreign affairs occurs, we are treated
in the Chinese press to humorous dissertations about
Chinese dignity and self-respect. How such things can
exist, even in the Chinese imagination, at the present
moment, passes comprehension. The China of to-day cannot
seriously expect much respect or consideration for her
dignity from foreign states, because these things are only
accorded to nations that are worthy of them.

Read this paragraph over and ponder it well. It appeared in an English
newspaper, the semi-official organ of the European point of view. There
is nothing veiled or hidden in the attitude of the dominant race!

XII

THE LAO-HSI-KAI AFFAIR

Another week has gone by, the atmosphere is still tense and surcharged
with feeling, and the situation remains unaltered. However, the
newspapers have changed their headings from "Outrage" to "Affair,"
although they are still devoting columns and columns to the matter.
Protest meetings are still being held, and the run on the French bank
must have been pretty successful, from the Chinese point of view, for
there is now talk of an indemnity for the damage done! Listen!

Already Threats of Indemnity. The French Consul at
Tientsin is already threatening to demand damages. He
contends that the Tientsin people should not be allowed to
hold a meeting of protest against what is clearly an
outrage on the integrity of China. He says the Chinese
authorities are guilty of the "violation of treaty rights"
and therefore must be held responsible for any damage done
to French commerce. The French Consul also objected to
the presence of officials [Chinese] at the meeting, but
omitted to state that the local officials did their best
to calm the people a