首页 >出版文学> America Through the Spectacles>第8章
  Ihavetakenthismiddlecourseinordertosatisfybothsides;
  foritwouldbedifficulttoinduceParliamenttoabolishoralterwhathasbeensorecentlyfixedbythem。TheChinesedress,asiswellknownallovertheworld,issuperiortothatwornbycivilizedpeopleintheWest,andtherecentchangefavoredbytheChineseisdeploredbymostforeignersinChina。Thefollowingparagraph,writtenbyaforeignmerchantandpublishedinoneoftheShanghaipapers,expressestheopinionofalmostallintelligentforeignersonthissubject:
  "SometimebacktheworldwasjubilantoverthenewsthatamongthegreatreformsadoptedinChinawasthediscardingoftheChinesetunic,thatgreattypicalnationalcostume。`Theyareindeedgettingcivilized,'
  saidthegossip;andoneandalladmiredtheenergydisplayedbytheresoluteYoungChinaincomingintolinewiththeCIVILIZEDworld,adoptingevenouruncomfortable,anti-hygienicandanti-estheticcostume。
  "Foreign`fashioned'tailorshops,hatstores,shoemakers,etc。,sprangupalloverthecountry。WhenIpassedthroughCantoninSeptemberlast,Icouldnothelpnoticingalsothatthosetypicalstreetslinedwithboat-shaped,high-soledshoes,hadbeenreplacedbyforeign-stylebootandshoemakers。
  "UndoubtedlythereformwasgaininggroundandtheChinesewouldhavetobeinthefuturedepicteddressedupasaCaucasian。
  "InmysimplicityIsincerelyconfessIcouldnotbutdeplorethepassingawayofthecentury-oldtunic,soesthetic,socomfortable,sorich,sotypicaloftherace。InmyheartIwassorryforthechange,astomyconceptionitwasnotinthedresswheretheChinesehadtoseekreform……"
  IagreewiththiswriterthatitisnotinthedomainofdressthatweChineseshouldlearnfromtheWesternpeoples。
  TherearemanythingsinChinawhichcouldbeverywellimprovedbutcertainlynotdress。
  Chapter12。AmericanversusChineseCivilizationContinued
  Thequestionhasoftenbeenasked"Whicharethecivilizednations?"
  Andtheanswerhasbeen,"AllEuropeandAmerica。"Tothequery,"WhataboutthenationsintheEast?"theanswerhasbeenmadethatwiththeexceptionofJapan,whohasnowbecomeagreatcivilizedpower,theothernationsaremoreorlesscivilized。Whenthematterisfurtherpressedanditisasked,"WhataboutChina?"thegeneralreplyis,"Sheissemi-civilized,"orinotherwords,notsocivilizedasthenationsintheWest。
  Beforepronouncingsuchanopinionjustifiable,letusconsidertheplainfacts。Itakeitthatcivilizationinculcatesculture,refinement,humaneconduct,fairdealingandjusttreatment。
  Amielsays,"Civilizationisfirstandforemostamoralthing。"
  Thereisnodoubtthatthehumanrace,especiallyintheWest,hasimprovedwonderfullywithinthelastcentury。Manyinventionsanddiscoverieshavebeenmade,andmenarenowabletoenjoycomfortswhichcouldnothavebeenobtainedbefore。
  Fromamaterialpointofviewwehavecertainlyprogressed,butdothe"civilized"peopleintheWestlivelongerthantheso-calledsemi-civilizedraces?Havetheysucceededinprolongingtheirlives?Aretheyhappierthanothers?
  Ishouldliketoheartheiranswers。IsitnotafactthatAmericansaremoreliabletocatchcoldthanAsiatics;
  withtheleastchangeofair,andwiththeslightestappearanceofanepidemicaretheynotmoreeasilyinfectedthanAsiatics?Ifso,why?
  Withtheirgeniusforinventionwhyhavetheynotdiscoveredmeanstosafeguardthemselvessothattheycanlivelongeronthisearth?
  Again,canAmericanssaythattheyarehappierthantheChinese?
  FrompersonalobservationIhaveformedtheopinionthattheChinesearemorecontentedthanAmericans,andonthewholehappier;
  andcertainlyonemeetsmoreoldpeopleinChinathaninAmerica。
  SincetheUnitedStatesofAmericaisrich,wellgoverned,andprovidedwithmorematerialcomfortsthanChina,Americans,onewouldthink,shouldbehappierthanweare,butarethey?
  Aretherenotmanyintheirmidstwhoarefriendlessandpenurious?
  InChinanomaniswithoutfriends,orifheis,itishisownfault。
  "Virtueisneverfriendless,"saidConfucius,and,associetyisconstitutedinChina,thisisliterallytrue。IfthisisnotsoinAmericaIfearthereissomethingwrongwiththatboastedcivilization,andthattheirmaterialtriumphsoverthephysicalforcesofnaturehavebeenpaiddearlyforbyalossofinsightintoherprofoundspiritualities。
  PerhapssomewillunderstandwhenIquoteLaoTsze'saddresstoConfuciuson"Simplicity"。"Thechafffromwinnowingwillblindaman。
  Mosquitoeswillbiteamanandkeephimawakeallnight,andsoitiswithallthetalkofyoursaboutcharityanddutytoone'sneighbor,itdrivesonecrazy。Sir,strivetokeeptheworldinitsoriginalsimplicity——whysomuchfuss?Thewindblowsasitlisteth,soletvirtueestablishitself。Theswaniswhitewithoutadailybath,andtheravenisblackwithoutdyeingitself。Whenthepondisdryandthefishesaregaspingforbreathitisofnousetomoistenthemwithalittlewateroralittlesprinkling。Comparedtotheiroriginalandsimpleconditioninthepondandtheriversitisnothing。"
  HenryWardBeechersays,"Wealthmaynotproducecivilization,butcivilizationproducesmoney,"andinmyopinionwhilewealthmaybeusedtopromotehappinessandhealthitasofteninjuresboth。
  Happinessistheproductofliberality,intelligenceandservicetoothers,andthereflexofhappinessishealth。Mycontentionisthatthepeoplewhopossessthesegoodqualitiesinthegreatestdegreearethemostcivilized。
  Nowcivilization,asmentionedinthepreviouschapter,wasbornintheEastandtravelledwestward。Thelawofnatureisspiral,andinasmuchasEasterncivilizationtaughtthepeopleoftheWest,soWesterncivilization,whichisbaseduponprinciplesnativetotheEast,willreturntoitsoriginalsource。Nonationcannowremainshutupwithinitselfwithoutintercoursewithothernations;
  theEastandtheWestcannolongerexistseparateandapart。
  Thenewfacilitiesfortransportationandtravelbylandandwaterbringallnations,European,American,AsiaticandAfrican,nextdoortoeachother,andwhentheartofaviationismoreadvancedandpeopletravelintheairassafelyastheynowcrossoceans,therelationshipsofnationswillbecomestillcloser。
  Whateffectwillthishaveonmankind?Thefirsteffectwillbe,Ishouldsay,greaterstability。Asinterestsbecomecommon,destructivecombatswillvanish。Allalikewillbeinterestedinpeace。
  ItisagratifyingsignthatwithinrecentyearsthepeopleofAmericahavetakenaprominentpartinpeacemovements,andhaveinauguratedpeacecongresses,themembersofwhichrepresentdifferentsectionsofthecountry。Annualgatheringsofthisordermustdomuchtopreventwarandtoperpetuatepeace,byturningpeople'sthoughtsintherightdirection。
  Take,forinstance,theLakeMohonkConferenceonInternationalArbitration,whichwasstartedbyaprivategentleman,Mr。A。K。Smiley,whowaswonteveryyeartoinviteprominentofficialsandotherstohisbeautifulsummerplaceatLakeMohonkforaconference。
  Hehaspassedaway,totheregretofhismanyfriends,butthegoodmovementstillcontinues,andthenineteenthannualconferencewasheldundertheauspicesofhisbrother,Mr。DanielSmiley。
  Amongthosepresent,therewerenotonlyeminentAmericans,suchasDr。C。W。Eliot,PresidentEmeritusofHarvardUniversity,Ex-AmericanAmbassadorC。Tower,Dr。J。Taylor,PresidentofVassarCollege,andDr。LymanAbbott,butdistinguishedforeignerssuchasJ。A。Baker,M。P。,ofEngland,HerrHeinrichYorkSteiner,ofVienna,andmanyothers。
  Amongthelargenumberofpeoplewhosupportthiskindofmovement,andthenumberisincreasingeveryday,thenameofMr。AndrewCarnegiestandsoutveryprominently。ThisbenevolentgentlemanisamostvigorousadvocateofInternationalPeace,andhasspentmostofhistimeandmoneyforthatpurpose。Hehasgiventenmilliondollarsgold
  forthepurposeofestablishingtheCarnegiePeaceFund;thefirstparagraphinhislonglettertothetrusteesisworthyofreproduction,asitexpresseshisstrongconvictions:
  "Ihavetransferredtoyou,"hesays,"asTrusteesoftheCarnegiePeaceFund,tenmilliondollarsoffivepercent。mortgagebonds,therevenueofwhichistobeadministeredbyyoutohastentheabolitionofinternationalwar,thefoulestblotuponourcivilization。Althoughwenolongereatourfellowmennortortureourprisoners,norsackcities,killingtheirinhabitants,westillkilleachotherinwarlikebarbarians。
  OnlywildbeastsareexcusablefordoingthatinthistheTwentiethCenturyoftheChristianera,forthecrimeofwarisinherent,sinceitdecidesnotinfavoroftheright,butalwaysofthestrong。
  Thenationiscriminalwhichrefusesarbitrationanddrivesitsadversarytoatribunalwhichknowsnothingofrighteousjudgment。"
  IamgladtosaythatIamfamiliarwithmanyAmericanmagazinesandjournalswhichareregularlypublishedtoadvocatepeace,andIhavenodoubtthatineverycountrysimilarmovementsarestirring,forthenationsarebeginningtorealizethedisastrouseffectsofwar。
  IfIamnotmistaken,however,Americansarethemostactiveinthismatter。
  ThePermanentCourtofArbitrationatTheHague,whosemembersbelongtonearlyeverynation,isasignificantindexofthespiritofthetimes。
  Yetwhatanironyoffatethatwhilepeoplearesoactiveinperpetuatingpeacetheycannotpreserveit。LookattherecentwarsinEurope,firstbetweenItalyandTurkey,andafterwardintheBalkans,tosaynothingofdisturbancesinChinaandotherpartsoftheworld。
  Itisjustlikewarningachildnottotakepoisonandthenallowinghimtoswallowitanddie。Sensiblemenshouldconsiderthisquestioncalmlyandseriously。Weallagreeastothewickednessofwarandyetwewarwithoneanother;wedonotlikewaryetwecannothelpwar。
  Thereissurelysomehiddendefectinthewaywehavebeenbroughtup。
  Isnotthesloganofnationality,toagreatextent,therootoftheevil?
  Everyschoolboyandschoolgirlistaughtthedutyofdevotion,orstrongattachment,tohisorherowncountry,andeverystatesmanorpublicmanpreachesthedoctrineofloyaltytoone'snativeland;
  whilethemanwhodarestorenderservicetoanothercountry,theinterestsofwhichareopposedtotheinterestsofhisownland,isdenouncedatraitor。Insuchcasestheindividualisneverallowedanopinionastotherightorwrongofthedispute。Heisexpectedtosupporthisowncountryandtocryatalltimes,"Ourcountry,rightorwrong。"Apolitician'sbestchancetosecurevotesistoglossoverthefaultsofhisownpartyornation,todilateonthewickednessofhisneighborsandtoexhorthiscompatriotstobeloyaltotheirnationalflag。Canitbewonderedatthatmenwhoareimbuedwithsuchdoctrinesbecomeselfishandnarrow-mindedandareeasilyinvolvedinquarrelswithothernations?
  Patriotismis,ofcourse,thenationallife。Twenty-fourcenturiesago,speakingintheGreekColonyofNaxos,Pythagorasdescribedthisemotioninthefollowingeloquentpassage:"Listen,mychildren,towhattheStateshouldbetothegoodcitizen。Itismorethanfatherormother,itismorethanhusbandorwife,itismorethanchildorfriend。
  TheStateisthefatherandmotherofall,isthewifeofthehusbandandthehusbandofthewife。Thefamilyisgood,andgoodisthejoyofthemaninwifeandinson。ButgreateristheState,whichistheprotectorofall,withoutwhichthehomewouldberavagedanddestroyed。
  Deartothegoodmanisthehonorofthewomanwhoborehim,dearthehonorofthewifewhosechildrenclingtohisknees;
  butdearershouldbethehonoroftheStatethatkeepssafethewifeandthechild。ItistheStatefromwhichcomesallthatmakesyourlifeprosperous,andgivesyoubeautyandsafety。
  WithintheStatearebuiltupthearts,whichmakethedifferencebetweenthebarbarianandtheman。Ifthebravemandiesgladlyforthehearthstone,farmoregladlyshouldhediefortheState。"
  ButonlywhentheStateseeksthegoodofthegoverned,forsaidPythagorasonanotheroccasion:"Organizedsocietyexistsforthehappinessandwelfareofitsmembers;andwhereitfailstosecuretheseitstandsipsofactocondemned。"
  Butto-dayshouldtheStatebeatwarwithanother,andanycitizenorsectionofcitizensbelievetheirowncountrywrongandtheopposingnationwronged,theydarenotsayso,oriftheydotheyrungreatriskofbeingpunishedfortreason。
  Menandwomenthoughnolongerboughtandsoldinthemarketplacearesubjectedtosubtlerformsofserfdom。InmostEuropeancountriestheyareobligedtofightwhethertheywillornot,andirrespectiveoftheirprivateconvictionsaboutthedispute;eventhough,asisthecaseinsomeEuropeancountries,theymaybecitizensfromcompulsionratherthanchoice,theyarenotfreetoabstainfromactiveparticipationinthequarrel。Chineserebellionsaresaidto"liveonloot",i。e。,ontheforcibleconfiscationofprivateproperty,butisthatworsethanwinningbattlesontheforcibledeprivationofpersonalliberty?
  Thisisnationalismgonemad!ItfostersthedesireforterritorygrabbingandillustratesafundamentaldifferencebetweentheOrientandtheOccident。
  WithusgovernmentisbasedontheconsentofthegovernedinawaythattheWesternercanhardlyunderstand,forhispassiontoexpandischronic。Smallnationswhichareover-populatedwantterritoryfortheirsurpluspopulation;greatnationsdesireterritorytoextendtheirtrade,andwhenthereareseveralgreatpowerstodividethespoiltheydistributeitamongthemselvesandcallit"spheresofinfluence",andallinhonorofthegodCommerce。InChinathefundamentalsofoursocialsystemarebrotherhoodandthedignityoflabor。
  What,Iask,istheadvantageofaddingtonationalterritory?
  Letusexaminethequestioncalmly。Ifatownoraprovinceisseizedtheconquerorhastokeepalargearmytomaintainpeaceandorder,andunlessthepeoplearewelldisposedtothenewauthoritytherewillbeconstanttroubleandfriction。Allthis,Imaysay,inpassing,isopposedtoourConfuciancodewhichbaseseverythingonreasonandabhorsviolence。Wewouldratherarguewithamobandfindout,ifpossible,itspointofview,thanfireonit。Wehaveyettobeconvincedthatgoodresultsflowfromtheuseoftheswordandthecannon。
  Westernnationsknownoothercompulsion。
  If,however,theacquisitionofnewterritoryarisesfromadesiretodevelopthecountryandtointroducethemostmodernandimprovedsystemsofgovernment,withoutulteriorintentions,thenitisbeyondpraise,butIfearthatsuchdisinterestedactionsarerare。
  ThenearestapproachtosuchhighprincipleisthepurchaseofthePhilippineIslandsbytheUnitedStates。Icallit"purchase"
  becausetheUnitedStatesGovernmentpaidagoodpricefortheIslandsafterhavingseizedtheterritory。TheintentionsoftheGovernmentwerewellknownatthetime。SinceheracquisitionofthoseIslands,Americahasbeendoingherbesttodeveloptheirresourcesandexpandtheirtrade。Administrativeandjudicialreformshavebeenintroduced,liberaleducationhasbeengiventothenatives,whoarebeingtrainedforself-government。IthasbeenrepeatedlyandauthoritativelydeclaredbytheUnitedStatesthatassoonastheyarecompetenttogovernthemselveswithoutdangerofdisturbances,andareabletoestablishastablegovernment,Americawillgrantindependencetothoseislands。Ibelievethatwhenthepropertimecomesshewillfulfillherword,andthussetanobleexampletotheworld。
  TheBritishinHongkongaffordanillustrationofadifferentorder,provingthetruthofmycontentionthat,exceptingasaspherefortheexerciseofaltruism,theacquisitionofnewterritoriesisanillusivegain。WhenHongkongwascededtoGreatBritainattheconclusionofawarinwhichChinawasdefeated,itwasabareislandcontainingonlyafewfishermen'shuts。
  Inordertomakeitatradingportandencouragepeopletolivethere,theBritishGovernmentspentlargesumsofmoneyyearafteryearforitsimprovementanddevelopment,andthroughthewiseadministrationofthelocalGovernmenteveryfacilitywasaffordedforfreetrade。
  ItisnowaprosperousBritishcolonywithapopulationofnearlyhalfamillion。ButwhathavebeentheadvantagestoGreatBritain?
  Financiallyshehasbeenagreatloser,fortheIslandwhichshereceivedatthecloseofherwarwithChinawasformanyyearsagreatdrainonhernationaltreasury。NowHongkongisaself-supportingcolony,butwhatbenefitsdotheBritishenjoytherethatdonotbelongtoeveryoneelse?Thecolonyisopentoallforeigners,andeveryrightwhichaBritishmerchanthasisequallysharedwitheveryoneelse。
  Accordingtothecensusof1911,outofapopulationof456,739
  only12,075werenon-Chinese,ofwhomasmallportionwereBritish;
  therestwereChinese。ThustheprosperityofthatcolonydependsupontheChinesewho,itisneedlesstosay,areinpossessionofalltheprivilegesthatareenjoyedbyBritishresidents。
  Itshouldbenoticedthatthenumberofforeignfirmsandstoresi。e。,non-Britishhavebeenandareincreasing,whilebigBritishhongsarelessnumerousthanbefore。Financially,theBritishpeoplehavecertainlynotbeengainersbytheacquisitionofthatcolony。
  OfcourseIshallbetoldthatitaddstotheprestigeofGreatBritain,butthisisanempty,bumptiousboastdearlypaidforbytheBritishtax-payer。
  Fromaneconomicandmoralpointofview,however,ImustadmitthatagreatdealofgoodhasbeendonebytheBritishGovernmentinHongkong。
  IthasprovidedtheChinesewithanactualworkingmodelofaWesternsystemofgovernmentwhich,notwithstandingmanydifficulties,hassucceededintransformingabarrenislandintoaprosperoustown,whichisnowthelargestshippingportinChina。Theimpartialadministrationoflawandthehumanetreatmentofcriminalscannotbutexciteadmirationandgaintheconfidenceofthenatives。
  IftheBritishGovernment,inacquiringthedesertisland,hadforitspurposetheinstructionofthenativesinamodernsystemofgovernment,sheistobesincerelycongratulated,butitisfearedthathermotiveswerelessaltruistic。
  Theseremarksapplyequally,ifnotwithgreaterforce,totheothercoloniesorpossessionsinChinaunderthecontrolofEuropeanPowers,aswellastotheothercoloniesoftheBritishEmpire,suchasAustralia,NewZealand,Canada,andotherswhicharecalled"self-governingdominions"。
  TheImperialGovernmentfeelsverytendertowardthesecolonists,andpracticallytheyareallowedtomanagetheiraffairsastheylike。
  Sincetheyaresogenerouslytreatedandenjoytheprotectionofsogreatapower,thereisnofearthattheseself-governingdominionswilleverbecomeindependentoftheirmothercountry;butiftheyevershoulddoso,itismostimprobablethatshewoulddeclarewaragainstthem,astheBritishpeoplehavegrownwisersincetheirexperiencewiththeAmericancolonists。Britishstatesmenhavebeenawakenedtothenecessityofwinningthegood-willoftheircolonists,andwithinrecentyearshaveadoptedthepolicyofinvitingtheColonialpremierstoLondontodiscussquestionsaffectingImperialandColonialinterests。
  ImperialfederationseemstobegrowingpopularwiththeBritishanditisprobablethatinthefutureEngland,Scotland,Wales,andIrelandwilleachhaveitsownparliament,withanImperialParliament,sittingatWestminster,containingrepresentativesfromallpartsoftheBritishEmpire,butAmericaistheonlynationwhichhasaddedtoherresponsibilitieswiththeavowedpurposeofmakingsemi-civilizedtribesindependent,self-governingcolonies,andAmericaisalmosttheonlygreatpowerthathasneveroccupiedorheldterritoryinChina。
  Letmeaskagainwhatistheobjectofnationsseekingnewpossessions?
  Isitforthepurposeoftrade?Ifso,theobjectcanbeobtainedwithoutacquiringterritory。Inthesedaysofenlightenmentanyonecangotoanycountryandtradewithoutrestriction,andintheBritishcoloniesthealienisinthesamepositionasthenative。
  Heisnothamperedby"permits"orother"red-tape"methods。Isitforthepurposeofemigration?InEurope,AmericaandalltheBritishcolonies,sofarasIknow,whitepeople,unlesstheyarepaupersorundesirables,canemigratetoanycountryandafterashortperiodbecomenaturalized。
  Somestatesmenwouldsaythatitisnecessaryforagreatpowertohavenavalbasesorcoalingstationsinseveralpartsoftheworld。
  Thispresupposespreparationsforwar;butifinternationalpeaceweremaintained,suchpossessionswouldbeuselessandthemoneyspentonthemwasted。Inanycaseitisunproductiveexpenditure。
  ItisthefashionforpoliticiansandIamsorrytofindthemsupportedbyeminentstatesmentopreachthedoctrineofarmaments;theyallegethatinordertopreservepeaceitisnecessarytobepreparedforwar,thatanationwithalargearmyornavycommandsrespect,andthatherwordcarriesweight。Thisargumentcutsbothways,foranationoccupyingsuchacommandingpositionmaybeunreasonableandaterrortoweakernations。Ifthishigh-toneddoctrinecontinueswherewillitend?Weshallsoonseeeverynationarmingtotheteethforthesakeofhernationalhonorandsafety,anddraininghertreasuryforthepurposeofbuildingdreadnaughtsandprovidingarmaments。
  Whensuchastateofthingsexistscaninternationalpeacebeperpetuated?
  Willnotoccasionbefoundtotestthosewarimplementsandtoutilizethenavalandmilitarymen?Whenyoupurchaseaknifedon'tyouexpecttouseit?Mr。LloydGeorge,theEnglishChancelloroftheExchequer,inaspeechinwhichhelamentedtheever-increasingbutunnecessaryexpenditureonarmaments,saidinParliament:"Ifeelconfidentthatitwillendinagreatdisaster——Iwon'tsaytothiscountry,thoughitisjustpossiblethatitmayendinadisasterhere。"
  Amanwitharevolversometimesinvitesattack,lestwhatwasatfirstintendedonlyforadefenseshouldbecomeamenace。
  WhendiscussingthecrazeoftheWesternnationsforaddingtotheirterritoriesIsaidthatwhitepeoplecanemigratetoanyforeigncountrythattheyplease,butitisnotsowiththeyellowrace。Ithasbeenassertedwithauthoritythatsomecountriesarereservedexclusivelyforthewhiteraces,andwiththisobjectinviewlawshavebeenenactedprohibitingthenativesofAsiafrombecomingnaturalizedcitizens,besidesimposingverystrictandalmostprohibitoryregulationsregardingtheiradmission。Thosewhosupportsuchapolicyholdthatthey,thewhitepeople,aresuperiortotheyellowpeopleinintellect,ineducation,intaste,andinhabits,andthattheyellowpeopleareunworthytoassociatewiththem。YetinChinawehavemanners,wehavearts,wehavemorals,andwehavemanagedafairlylargesocietyforthousandsofyearswithoutthebitterclasshatreds,classdivisions,andclassstrugglesthathavemarredthefairprogressoftheWest。
  Wehavenotenslavedourlivestowealth。Welikeluxurybutwelikeotherthingsbetter。Welovelifemorethanchasingimitationsoflife。
  Ourdifferencesofcolor,likeourdifferencesofspeech,areaccidental,theyareduetoclimaticandotherinfluences。Wecameoriginallyfromonestock。Weallstartedevenly,Heavenhasnofavorites。
  Manalonehasmadedifferencesbetweenmanandman,andtheyellowmanisnowhitinferiortothewhitepeopleinintelligence。
  DuringtheRusso-JapanWarwasitnottheyellowracethatdisplayedthesuperiorintelligence?IamsometimesalmosttemptedtosaythatAsiawillhavetocivilizetheWestoveragain。
  Iamnotbitterorsarcastic,butIdocontendthatthereareyetmanythingsthatthewhiteraceshavetolearnfromtheircoloredbrethren。
  InIndia,inChina,andinJapanthereareinstitutionswhichhaveastabilityunknownoutsideAsia。ReligionhasapparentlylittleinfluenceonWesterncivilization;itisthecorner-stoneofsocietyinallAsiaticcivilizations。Theresultisthatthecoloredracesplacemoralityintheplaceassignedbytheirmorepracticalwhiteconfrerestoeconomicpropositions。Wethink,aswecontemplatetheWest,thatwhitepeopledonotunderstandcomfortbecausetheyhavenoleisuretoenjoycontentment;THEYmeasurelifebyaccumulation,WEbymorality。
  Familytiesarestrongerwiththeso-calledcoloredracesthantheyareamongthemoreirresponsiblewhiteraces;
  consequentlythesocialsenseiskeeneramongtheformerandmuchindividualsufferingisavoided。Wehaveourvices,butthesearenotpeculiartoUS;and,atleast,wehavethemeritofbeingeasilygoverned。WhereverthereareChinesecoloniesthegeneralverdictis:"TheChinesemakegoodcitizens。"
  ThisiswhatthelateSirRobertHart,towhomChinaowesherCustomsorganization,saidaboutus:
  "TheytheChinesearewell-behaved,law-abiding,intelligent,economical,andindustrious;theycanlearnanythinganddoanything;
  theyarepunctiliouslypolite,theyworshiptalent,andtheybelieveinrightsofirmlythattheyscorntothinkitrequirestobesupportedorenforcedbymight;theydelightinliterature,andeverywheretheyhavetheirliteraryclubsandcoteriesforlearninganddiscussingeachother'sessaysandverses;
  theypossessandpractiseanadmirablesystemofethics,andtheyaregenerous,charitable,andfondofgoodwork;
  theyneverforgetafavor,theymakerichreturnforanykindness,andthoughtheyknowmoneywillbuyservice,amanmustbemorethanwealthytowinesteemandrespect;theyarepractical,teachable,andwonderfullygiftedwithcommonsense;theyareexcellentartisans,reliableworkmen,andofagoodfaiththateveryoneacknowledgesandadmiresintheircommercialdealings;innocountrythatisorwas,hasthecommandment`Honorthyfatherandthymother',beensoreligiouslyobeyed,orsofullyandwithoutexceptiongiveneffectto,anditisinfactthekeynoteoftheirfamily,social,officialandnationallife,andbecauseitissotheirdaysarelonginthelandGodhasgiventhem。"
  Thecryof"AmericafortheAmericans"or"AustraliafortheAustralians"
  ismostillogical,forthosepeoplewerenottheoriginalownersofthesoil;
  withfargreaterreasonweinthefarEastmightshout,"ChinafortheChinese","JapanfortheJapanese"。IwillquoteMr。T。S。Sutton,EnglishSecretaryoftheChinese-AmericanLeagueofJustice,onthispoint。"Themostasininewhineintheworld,"hesays,"isthatof`AmericafortheAmericans'or`ChinafortheChinese',etc。
  Itisthehissingsloganofgreed,fear,envy,selfishness,ignoranceandprejudice。Noman,nohumanbeingwhocallshimselfaman,noChristian,nosaneorreasonableperson,shouldorcouldeverbeguiltyofutteringthatdespicablewail。Godmadetheworldforallmen,andifGodhasanypreference,ifGodisanyrespecterofpersons,HemustsurelyfavortheChinese,forHehasmademoreofthemthanofanyotherpeopleontheglobe。`AmericafortheaboriginalIndians'
  wasoncethecry。ThenwhentheEnglishcameoveritchangedto`AmericafortheEnglish',later`AmericaforthePuritans',andaroundNewOrleanstheycried`AmericafortheFrench'。InPennsylvaniathesloganwas`AmericafortheDutch',etc。,butthetruthremainsthatGodhassetasideAmericaas`themeltingpot'oftheworld,thelandtowhichallpeoplemaycome,andfromwhichtherehasarisen,andwillcontinuetorise,agreatmixedrace,acosmopolitannationthatmay,ifitisnotmisledbyprejudiceandignorance,yetleadtheworld。"
  AlthoughMr。Sutton'sphraseologyissomewhatstrong,hisargumentsaresoundandunanswerable。
  Inowpasstosomelesscontroversialaspectsofmytheme,andnoteapraiseworthycustomthatispracticallyunknownintheFarEast。
  IrefertothehabitofinternationalmarriageswhicharenotonlycommonincosmopolitanAmericabutareofdailyoccurrenceinEuropealso,amongordinarypeopleaswellastheroyalfamiliesofEurope,sothatnearlyalltheEuropeancourtsarerelatedonetotheother。
  Thisisagoodomenforapermanentworld-peace。TherehavebeensomemarriagesofAsiaticswithEuropeansandAmericans,andtheyshouldbeencouraged。EverythingthatbringstheEastandWesttogetherandhelpseachtounderstandtheotherbetter,isgood。Theoffspringfromsuchmixedunionsinheritthegoodpointsofbothsides。TheheadmasteroftheQueen'sCollegeinHongkong,wheretherearehundredsofboysofdifferentnationalitiesstudyingtogether,oncetoldmethatformerlyattheyearlyexaminationtheprizeswerenearlyallwonbytheChinesestudents,butthatinlateryearswhenEurasianboyswereadmitted,theybeattheChineseandalltheothers,andgenerallycameoutthebest。
  Notonlyinschoolbutinbusinessalsotheyhaveturnedoutwell。
  ItiswellknownthattherichestmaninHongkongisaEurasian。
  ItissaidthatthefatherofAguinaldo,thewell-knownPhilippineleader,wasaChinese。Thereisnodoubtthatmixedmarriagesofthewhitewiththeyellowraceswillbeproductiveofgoodtobothsides。
  ButdoChinesereallymakegoodhusbands?myladyfriendsask。
  IwillcitethecaseofanAmericanlady。SomeyearsagoaChinesecalledonmeatmyLegationinWashingtonaccompaniedbyanAmericanladyandagirl。Theladywasintroducedtomeashiswifeandthegirlashisdaughter;Inaturallysupposedthattheladywasthegirl'smother,butshetoldmethatthegirlwasthedaughterofherlateintimatefriend,andthatafterherdeath,knowingthatthechild'sfatherhadbeenagoodandaffectionatehusbandtoherfriend,shehadgladlybecomehissecondwife,andadoptedhisdaughter。
  ThosewhobelieveinreincarnationandIhopemostofmyreadersdo,asitisacluetomanymysteriesunderstandthatwhenpeoplearereincarnatedtheyarenotalwaysborninthesamecountryorcontinentasthatinwhichtheylivedintheirpreviouslife。IhaveanimpressionthatinoneofmyformerexistencesIwasbornandbroughtupintheUnitedStates。InsayingthisIdonotexpresstheslightestregretsathavingnowbeenborninAsia。IonlywishtogiveahinttothosewhitepeoplewhoadvocateanexclusivepolicythatintheirnextlifetheymaybeborninAsiaorAfrica,andthattheinjurytheyarenowinflictingontheyellowpeopletheymaythemselveshavetosufferinanotherlife。
  WhileadmittingthatweChinesehaveourfaultsandthatinsomematterswehavemuchtolearn,especiallyfromtheAmericans,weatleastpossessonemoralquality,magnanimity,whiletheprimalvirtuesofindustry,economy,obedience,andloveofpeace,combinedwitha"moderationinallthings",arealsocommonamongus。Ourpeoplehavefrequentlybeenslightedorill-treatedbutweentertainnorevengefulspirit,andarewillingtoforget。Webelievethatintheendrightwillconquermight。InnumerableashavebeenthedisputesbetweenChineseandforeignersitcanatleastbesaid,withoutgoingintodetails,thatwehavenot,inthefirstinstance,beentheaggressors。Letmesupplyalocalillustrationshowinghowourfaultsarealwaysexaggerated。Westernpeoplearefondofhorse-racing。
  InShanghaitheyhavesecuredfromtheChinesealargepieceofgroundwheretheyholdracemeetingstwiceayear,butnoChineseareallowedonthegrand-standduringtheracedays。Theyareprovidedwithaseparateentrance,andaseparateenclosure,asthoughtheywerethevictimsofsomeinfectiousdisease。IhavebeentoldthatafewyearsagoaChinesegentlemantooksomeChineseladiesintothegrand-standandthattheymisbehaved;hencethisdiscriminatorytreatmentofChinese。
  Itisproperthatstepsshouldbetakentopreserveorderanddecencyinpublicplaces,butisitfairtointerdictthepeopleofanationonaccountofthemisconductoftwoorthree?SupposeithadbeenGermanswhohadmisbehavedthemselveswhichisnotlikely,wouldtheraceclubhavedaredtoexcludeGermansfromsharingwithothernationsthepleasuresoftheraces?
  Incontrastwiththis,letusseewhattheChinesehavedone。
  Havinglearnedthegameofhorse-racingfromtheforeignersinChina,andnotbeingallowedtoparticipate,theyhaveformedtheirownraceclub,and,withintention,havecalleditthe"InternationalRecreationClub"。
  ThisClubhaspurchasedalargetractoflandatKiangwan,aboutfivemilesfromShanghai,andhasturneditintoarace-course,considerablylargerthanthatinShanghai。Whenaracemeetingisheldthere,ITISOPENTOFOREIGNERSASWELLASCHINESE,infactcomplimentaryticketshaveevenbeensenttothemembersoftheforeignraceclubinvitingtheirattendance。Halfofthemembersoftheracecommitteeareforeigners;
  whileforeignersandChineseactjointlyasstewardsandjudges;
  theponiesthatrunareownedbyforeignersaswellasbyChinese,andChinesejockeyscompetewithforeignjockeysinalltheevents。
  Amostpleasingfeatureoftheseracesistheverymanifestcordialgoodfeelingwhichprevailsthroughouttheracesthere。
  TheChinesehavebeendubbed"semi-civilizedandheathenish",butthe"InternationalRecreationClub"andtheKiangwanrace-coursedisplayanabsenceofanydesiretoretaliateandsentimentsofinternationalfriendshipsuchasitwould,perhaps,bedifficulttoparallel。
  ShouldsuchpeoplebedeniedadmissionintoAustralia,Canada,ortheUnitedStates?Wouldnottheexclusionistsinthosecountriesprofitbyassociationwiththem?
  TheimmigrationlawsinforceinAustraliaare,Iaminformed,evenmorestrictandmoreseverethanthoseintheUnitedStates。
  Theyamounttoalmosttotalprohibition;fortheyaredirectednotonlyagainstChineselaborersbutaresooperatedthattheChinesemerchantandstudentarealsopracticallyrefusedadmission。
  InthecourseofalecturedeliveredinEnglandbyMrs。AnnieBesantin1912
  on"ThecitizenshipofcoloredracesintheBritishEmpire",whilecondemningtheraceprejudicesofherownpeople,shebroughtoutafactwhichwillbeinterestingtomyreaders,especiallytotheAustralians。
  Shesays,"InAustraliaaverycuriouschangeistakingplace。
  Colorhasverymuchdeepenedinthatclime,andtheAustralianhasbecomeveryyellow;sothatitbecomesaproblemwhether,afteratime,thepeoplewouldbeallowedtoliveintheirowncountry。
  ThewhitepeoplearefarmorecoloredthanaresomeIndians。"