ality, the retrocession of
the foreign concessions and the repeal or amendment of all unjust
treaties after the war. But none of these have we demanded. If we
ourselves cannot improve our internal administration in order to
become a strong country, it is absurd to expect our admission to the
ranks of the first-class Powers simply by being allowed a seat at
the Peace Conference and by taking a side with the Entente!

"Which side will win the war? I shall not attempt to predict here.
But it is undoubted that all the arms of Europe--and the industrial
and financial strength of the United States and Japan--have proved
unavailing against Germany. On the other hand France has lost her
Northern provinces and Belgium, Serbia and Rumania are blotted off
the map. Should Germany be victorious, the whole of Europe--not to
speak of a weak country like China--would be in great peril of
extinction. Should she be defeated, Germany still can--after the
conclusion of peace--send a fleet to war against us. And as the
Powers will be afraid of a second world-war, who will come to our
aid? Have we not seen the example of Korea? There is no such thing
as an army of righteousness which will come to the assistance of
weak nations. I cannot bear to think of hearing the angry voice of
German guns along our coasts!

"If we allow the Entente to recruit labour in our country without
restriction, thousands upon thousands of our fellow countrymen will
die for no worthy cause; and if we allow free exportation of
foodstuff, in a short time the price of daily necessaries will mount
ten to a hundredfold. This is calculated to cause internal troubles.
Yea, all gains from this policy will go to the politicians but the
people will suffer the evil consequences through no fault of theirs.

DIPLOMACY OF CONFUCIUS

"In the matter of diplomacy, we do not need to go to the West for
the apt learning on the point at issue. Confucius has said: 'Be
truthful and cultivate friendship--this is the foundation of human
happiness.' Our country being weak and undeveloped, if we strive to
be truthful and cultivate friendship, we can still be a civilized
nation, albeit hoary with age. But we are now advised to take
advantage of the difficulties of Germany and abandon honesty in
order that we may profit thereby. Discarding treaties