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theory, is needed.
Without capital the development of industry is impossible. In view of the fertility of our soil and the abundance of our productions, no one can fairly call China a poor country. Raiment, food, and lodging are all that humanity needs, and silver and gold are merely counters. But shortage of money implies lack of the medium of exchange, for without gold and silver the necessary counters are unavailable. Thus, in order to develop industry by means of the necessary capital, we must needs have recourse to our neighbours who possess an ample supply of the medium of exchange. When the resources of the land are exploited, there will be no waste soil and no unemployed. Hence after repayment of loans a surplus will accrue out of the gains made on the original capital. This is surely preferable to burying one's treasure and then bemoaning one's poverty? Hence I an anxious for the influx of foreign capital in order to develop our industries.
The introduction of foreign civilisation and capital is a cosmopolitan as well as a national policy, for the essence of world civilisation is simply to supply the deficiencies of others from our own surplus, so that society everywhere may benefit. Divisions between countries thus practically disappear, as Confucius meant when he spoke of universal harmony. China is now a republic and must rid herself of the antiquated notions appertaining to her period of seclusion. Our citizens who obey the law of their own land must needs know also the law which all nations hold in common, their intercourse with other nations they must beware of any prejudice towards In all foreigners in violation of right principle and resulting in severance, but must behave after civilised standards.
The attitude of foreign Powers towards us has of late been pacific and just; as occasion arose, they have often rendered us assistance, and while this affords an evidence of the civilisation of the world, we are none the less grateful to the friendly Powers for their good-will. It is essential that our citizens should appreciate this point. and make a point of consolidating international friendships by manifestations of sincerity. I hereby declare that all treaties, conventions, and official engagements contracted by the former Manchu and the Provisional Government with foreign Governments shall be faithfully observed, also that all contracts duly concluded by the former Governments with foreign companies and individuals shall be strictly observed, and further that all privileges, rights, and special immunities enjoyed by foreign subjects in China by virtue of international engagements, national enactments, and established precedent are hereby definitely confirmed, so as to promote international amity and maintain harmonious relations. Our people must recognise that this is nothing less than a duty in international relations, since proof of genuine amity on our part must needs conduce to the exercise of mutual courtesy.
Such, then, are the main points of the declaration which I am making to the nation, but in order to amplify my meaning in the widest sense only one word is needed, namely, "morality." This word is so comprehensive that even the greatest sages have failed to exhaust its whole significance in thousands upon thousands of words, but what I understand by the term may be briefly comprehended under the four characters, loyalty, trust, steadfastness and sobermindedness,
The original meaning of loyalty is loyalty to the State and not to the individual. Only by making the stand of his loyalty the country and not confining it to one individual or House, can one assure the benefit of the race in preference to personal considerations of advantage. The pursuit of power must be disregarded and duty made the paramount consideration. The interests of the State must not be sacrificed for the selfish interest of one man.
Confucius said: "Without trust no nation can stand." Civilised nations look upon deceitful conduct with contempt and the stigma is even as a flogging administered in the public square. Washington, when a lad, thanks to his father's discipline, never uttered a lie. In the past China has always laid stress on trust and righteousness, but of late a sad degeneracy has set in and wild exaggeration has become a second nature. Without trust no man can stand upright: how much less a nation Tseng Kuo-fau under the late dynasty remarked: "The foundation of conduct is to tell the truth." Therefore trust is necessary in all our relations of life. What is steadfastuess? Civilised countries spare no pains in preserving their national traditions and without impeding their advance on the path of progress will not allow a name or an institution to pass into oblivion. For China Confucianism has always been a great moral safeguard and the changes and chances of 4,000 years have certainly left the essence of the doctrine secure from the ravages of time. But there are those who are deluded by theory and lightly forsake their own heritage. They indulge in high flown catchwords without accomplishing any practical result; while abandoning their own national traditions they
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