on
74
A CHINESE INQUISITION
SUGGESTED.
(Daily Press, 28th January.) Professor JENKS, the American commis- sioner who recently gave the Chinese some much-needed information and advice about their currency system, has given a provin. cial governor his opinions of the missionary question. He regards the matter as one of real political importance, as missionary work in China is a source of very much trouble," although "the missionaries do a considerable good." The trouble they oc- casion by defending converts, before the Chinese officials, more than seems justifiable, by weaekning the allegiance of Chinese subjects, and by allowing their church organisations to be used by local families and clans to further local quarrels. Thus, evidence obtained during his travels, Professor JENKS sums up the sources of trouble. The first count is probably true, as it is a natural thing to do; and besides, were it not for the hope of such champion- ship, there would be fewer converts. As for the second, theoretically, it is unbeliev- able. These converts are surely taught the duty of rendering unto CESAR the things that are CESAR's, and that they fail to do so is no fault of the missionaries. It has been noticed that the spirit of patriotism is in the Chinese moribund; and if we consider the facts that they have an alien race in dominance over them, and a system of government which fails to secure any coherence of the interests of its widespread parts, we need not wonder at the absence of that general loyalty and patriotic fervour which is so noticeable in the case of the Japanese. Every untamed Chinaman bris- tles at sight of a foreigner, but that is not patriotism. It is the instinct that works in the case of the animal jealous for its habitat, the pike for its own particular pool, the eagle for its eyrie, the carnivorous brute for its own section of jungle. Given a certain time of isolation, and a certain sort of ignorance, and that instinct persists in the human animal. The third indictment mentioned by Professor JENKs is really a part of the first. Most Chinese litigation appears to be between members of different clans, and when the missionary sides with a convert, he is sure to find himself embroiled in some family jar. Summing up the good the missionaries do, the Professor mentions medicine, education, and religion, in that order. The first is admitted instantly, the second needs qualifying, and the third is certainly the point about which controversy could rage. Professor JENKS handles it rather gingerly, as a wise man should. He Bilys:
So far as the missionaries in their religious teaching oppose the doctrines of the Chinese religions on the mere ground that they are non-Christian or that they interfere with Christian worship, they are, in my judgment, mistaken and should not be encouraged in this teaching. On the other hand, wherever they cau show that some of the beliefs or doctrines which have
crept into the religious creeds of the Chinese people tend to encourage superstition or Tend to oppose progress, and so far as they can show that these characteristics are wrong Lecause they are unscientific, or do barin to the State as is shown by their results, there can Le little objection to this criticism of the Chinese religion any more than there would be to similar criticisin which might Le equally true of some of the doctrines and practices taught in the Christian Churches.” The passage beginning with the words On the other hand" has its importance vitiated by the reference to superstition. Who, whether they accept the definition that
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
THE ANGLO-JAPANESE ALLIANCE,
OS
[February 6, 1905.
all belief in the supernatural is superstition, | doubt the attitude was practically an endorse- or not, will give to the foreign advocates of ment of Japan's policy and of the demands rival creeds the right to say which of the which she made for checking the encroach- many Chinese beliefs are superstitious, and ments of Russia in Manchuria and which not? In his commentary on the Corea. Japan, it is true, was the nation principles of the various religions that are most immediately concerned, but Russian being imported into China, the PROFESSOR encroachments and her threatening to has obviously been led into very unwise assume the position of the dominant Power in insinuations against the Roman Catholics, the Far East were also a serious menace Implicit obedience to religious teachers as to British, American, and other foreign a practice is scarcely worse than the interests. Whether Russia will attain the individual's obedience to the dictates of position to which she aspires is an issue yet his own conscience, since there are
to be decided. That her design was first to many unable to distinguish impulses reduce the influence of Japan, and next to and appetites from the voice of the establish herself as the dominant Power in mysterious attribute referred to. Professor respect to that country and China, there can JENKS does not give the result of his be no doubt. The idea which seems mainly historical studies honestly, or at least care- to have actuated her was that she would fully, when he credits religion as the sponsor be allowed to pursue this policy if in return of the individual liberty enjoyed in Europe she consented not to meddle with British and America. The church almost invariably interests in India. By attacking Japan and sided with the class that would have re- at the same time adroitly hinting at trouble stricted liberty, and on many occasions it to Great Britain on the Indian border, she was its intolerance that made men strike for hoped to gain the acquiescence of the latter liberty. Of all the tasks sought to be country in her Far Eastern policy, and then imposed on the unhappy Government of use this vantage ground as might seem best China, we can imagine none more Sisyphean-most probably in the direction of making than this now recommended, that it should further trouble in the direction of India. study the various religious creeds, with a There can be little doubt that a policy very view to discriminate against those tending much of this kind is that which Russia to national disunity. China would do better bas still in view, though it would seem to copy Japan's example, and by ignoring unlikely that for many years to come she them as political factors, reduce their will have an opportunity of putting it into capacity for mischief. They have a recent effect in any effectual manner. Still the object lesson in the labour demonstrations direction of her ambitions has been very in London and St. Petersburg. A cou definitely shown, and Russia is the most temptuous tolerance maintained the peace persistent of all nations in adhering to a in one case; official interference, in the given line of policy and watching her op- other, led to massacres and revolutions. portunities for furthering it. No doubt recent events have been a sad disappoint- ment as well as an unexpected awakening to Russia. She underestimated altogether what was before her, and at best can only come (Daily Press 30th January)
out of a terrible struggle much weakened and From time to time suggestions have been crippled. It would, however, be too much thrown out of some more extended alliance to hope that the lesson which has been than that at present existing between Great taught her will be sufficient necessarily Britain and Japan. It is not surprising to cause her to alter her plans. Pushing that rumours in this direction should have on in the Far East has become her tradi got about; and from more recent informational policy, and we may be sure Russia tion it would appear that such an idea has will be slow to abandon it in some foria been entertained by Japan. Of necessity, however, nothing very definite has come out on the subject. Diplomatists are not disposed to be too communicative, and the subject is one in respect to which prudent reserve is likely to be preserved. Probably, however, the utterances which have been made, have been in the nature of feelers; and it is likely that, at all events up to the present, nothing very precise has been contemplated. So far as Great Britain is concerned, she is in the present day for very good reasons disinclined to general alliances. In theory they may appear admirable, but in practice, all experience shows, they are apt to become embarrassing and may frequently lead to complications in very unexpected ways, and often in very unexpected directions. It thus happened that, when it became known before the out- break of the Russo-Japanese war that a compact had been arrived at between Great Britain and Japan, many far seeing men were gravely apprehensive that a serious mistake had been made. Events have fully justified the step taken, and have proved that the British Government was far better informed as to the true state of matters than was imagined or than it is generally credited with being with respect to foreign affairs. It has, how ever, now been fully demonstrated that the attitude assumed was that best calculated to preserve the peace, and that this end would have been attained had Russia shown herself in any way open to reason. No
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Under these circumstances her movements will always require to be carefully watched, and the task of doing this will largely devolve in the future, as it has done in the past, on Great Britain and Japan. The interests of both nations are in common on the essential point of preventing any other nation having a predominant position in Asia. The prestige of Great Britain in India would be gravely affected; and this consideration-apart from possible more serious eventualities-is one which far- seeing Statesmen caunot disregard. two nations haɣying this dominant issue in common are likely to be actuated by a common policy; and it is from a recogni- tion of this fact, that the idea of a possible defensive alliance has originated. That the trend of events is in this direction is un- doubted; but the time has hardly come for any formal convention further than the alliance which already exists. Nor is it likely that a declared alliance of the kind suggested would be greatly beneficial. Common interest will probably do more than could be accomplished by any definite engagement; and it is also likely that the consciousness of the possibility of such a combination taking place, should the neces- sity arise, will form a greater restraining influence on Russia than the existence of any actual compact to that effect.
That there will be a friendly understand- ing between the two nations to adhere to a policy that may secure peace in the Far East in the future may be taken for grant-
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