20 END
6
of extra-territoriality. At the same time, it would be perfectly feasible to make treaty provisions regarding the gradual elimination of some of the most undesirable elements in the unequal treaties.
In the sixth place, we ought to do all we can to encourage the formation of sound regional Governments, each one of which should be small enough for its people to see and understand its workings, and to realise that it is a piece of machinery able to improve their farming, commerce and other activities. It would help to bring the Chinese people up to the point of interest in, and fitness for, popular Government.
The United States might well take the initiative in endeavouring to induce the several groups now at war with each other in China to agree to respect certain boundaries and to confine their efforts to improving the condition of the people. We might place a commissioner within each such area wherever the new regional Government was willing to acknowledge normal national obligations.
Above all, in our relations with Asia and with Asiatics, the principle of the golden rule is the safest guide, but it is extremely difficult to apply it unless we are sufficiently aware of actual conditions to know what we ourselves would like to have done if we lived in China.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.