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。"