Turning to the econonmic incidence of the demands, it may be said that to many, if not to most, foreigners China is chiefly interesting because of its possibilities as a world market. Some of those who are actually resident in the Republic feel a deep sympathy with a country that is striving to emancipate itself from the traditions and cutoms that have cheeked all progress in the past. They know that the Central Government is slowly, but effectually, reforming the international administration ; restoring orfer after the financial chaos caused by the reckless methods of the late dynasty, and rooting out the canker of corruption that has hitherto made the Chinese official a menace to the Chinese people and an object of contempt to the foreigner. The sympathetic observer sees that genuine efforts are being made to bring about the reformation necessary, and he realizes that, if China is helped instead of hindered by other Powers, she will in time achieve a dregree of strength and stability that will entitle her to claim an effective voice in Far Eastern politics. But considerations of this character appeal only to a small minority of foreigners and the fact must be faced that, while the preservation of China's sovereignty and independance are but of academic interest to the majority, the retention of a market that has already been extremely valuable and that possesses practically limitless future possibilities is regarded as a matter of the first importance.
|