If China— that is, the 400,000,000 of her people — has really *awakened* this time, then the shame of the Chinese may change the destiny of the Far East. With the self-refor mation that has come from the Japanese goad, this unwieldy mass of humanity has shaken off much that in this 20th century world is a hindrance to growth in true nationality. A new spirit of independence and patriotism has entered into the Chinese, so that it does not severely tax our credence to suppose that 7 May will hereafter be celebrated like our own 4 July, as Independence Day, in a holiday truly national and from which point in time the nation, oldest in the world, started on a new career of uni versal education and of industrial, commercial and political prosperity.
To the thoughtful student of humanity's progress, or one who has freed his mind, even in part, from ethnic, racial, credal and com mercial prejudice, it would seem that the chap ters of history opened in the Far East since Washington's time, who commissioned Major Grey as the first American agent in eastern Asia, are of the highest interest and happiest augury. It seems to be demonstrated that the
general American policy that has left on Asia the mark of the school, college, church, hospital, missionary healer, honorable merchant and truthful and just diplomatist is not only the best in morals, but reveals the one method, as yet unexcelled, for the promotion of commerce, mutual prosperity and the peace of the world. The Monroe Doctrine, as established in 1823 and enforced by James Monroe, Millard Fill more, Abraham Lincoln and John Hay, can be in with justice and righteousness, only as it is applied not only to America but to the whole world. It means that nations have the right, each to its own soul and soil and to live in such peace as they are able to maintain. 'cif America support Japan's contention and Japan America's, Europe will be forced to acquiesce, and peace in the Pacific will be secured* is the general verdict of the latest and ablest writers on this theme.