foreign Powers. It
is our view that the opportunity has come because foreign Powers are
now on very friendly terms with China. It is distinctly a separate
thing from the declaration of war. Let no one try to confuse the
two.

THE QUESTION OF AUSTRIA

"If China decides to declare war on Germany the same attitude should
be taken towards Austria. We have severed diplomatic relations with
Germany but retain the _status quo_ with Austria. This is fraught
with danger. German intrigue is to be dreaded. What they have done
in America and Mexico is enough to shock us. The danger can easily
be imagined when we remember that they have in China the Austrian
Legation, Austrian Consulates and Austrian concessions as their
bases of operation for intrigue and plotting. Some say we should
follow America, which has not yet severed diplomatic relations with
Austria. This is a great mistake. America can afford to ignore
Austria because there are no Austrian concessions and Austrian
consular jurisdiction in America.

"The question is then what steps should be taken to sever diplomatic
relations with and declare war on Austria. The solution is that
since Austria has also communicated to our Minister regarding her
submarine policy we can serve her with an ultimatum demanding that
the submarine policy be cancelled within twenty-four hours. If
Austria refuses, China may sever diplomatic relations and declare
war at the same time immediately upon the expiry of the twenty-four
hour limit.

"In conclusion I wish to say that whenever a policy is adopted we
should carry out the complete scheme. If we should hesitate in the
middle and become afraid to go ahead we will soon find ourselves in
an embarrassing position. The Government and Parliament should
therefore stir up courage and boldly make the decision and take the
step."

Unanswerable as seem these arguments to the Western mind, they were by
no means so to the mass of Chinese who are always fearful lest some
sudden reshuffling in the relationships existing between foreign Powers
exposes them to new and greater calamities. This Chinese viewpoint, with
its ignorance of basic considerations, is well-illustrated by the Second
Memorandum, which follows. Written by the famous reformer of 1898 Kang
Yu-wei, it demonstrates how greatly the revolutionists of 1911 are in
adv