t powers to
divide the spoil they distribute it among themselves and call it
"spheres of influence", and all in honor of the god Commerce. In China
the fundamentals of our social system are brotherhood and the dignity
of labor.

What, I ask, is the advantage of adding to national territory? Let us
examine the question calmly. If a town or a province is seized the
conqueror has to keep a large army to maintain peace and order, and
unless the people are well disposed to the new authority there will be
constant trouble and friction. All this, I may say, in passing, is
opposed to our Confucian code which bases everything on reason and
abhors violence. We would rather argue with a mob and find out, if
possible, its point of view, than fire on it. We have yet to be
convinced that good results flow from the use of the sword and the
cannon. Western nations know no other compulsion.

If, however, the acquisition of new territory arises from a desire to
develop the country and to introduce the most modern and improved
systems of government, without ulterior intentions, then it is beyond
praise, but I fear that such disinterested actions are rare. The
nearest approach to such high principle is the purchase of the
Philippine Islands by the United States. I call it "purchase" because
the United States Government paid a good price for the Islands after
having seized the territory. The intentions of the Government were
well known at the time. Since her acquisition of those Islands,
America has been doing her best to develop their resources and expand
their trade. Administrative and judicial reforms have been introduced,
liberal education has been given to the natives, who are being trained
for self-government. It has been repeatedly and authoritatively
declared by the United States that as soon as they are competent to
govern themselves without danger of disturbances, and are able to
establish a stable government, America will grant independence to those
islands. I believe that when the proper time comes she will fulfill
her word, and thus set a noble example to the world.

The British in Hongkong afford an illustration of a different order,
proving the truth of my contention that, excepting as a sphere for the
exercise of altruism, the acquisition of new territories is an illusive
gain. When Hongkong was ceded to Great Britain at the conclusion of a
war in which China was defeated, it was a bare island containing on