Excerpt from The Problem of Asia: A Lecture

I have been requested by M. De W esselitsky, whom I have long known as the able and universally respected correspondent of the Novoe Vremya in London, to write a few lines of introduction to a lecture which he delivered lately on The Problem of Asia and I gladly comply with his request, because I believe his views are deserving of care ful attention. They may be accepted or rejected, but they should not be overlooked. We are at present entering on a new phase of what the Germans call Weltpolz'tz'k, and it is certain that in the political combinations of the near future Japan will be an important factor. Is that young vigorous State to be cordially received into the great family of the civilised nations, or is it to be regarded as a danger ous enemy of the family, so far as the Far East is con cerned P When we have dismissed as a harmless bogey the Yellow Peril in its original shape, we have still to examine it in other forms. Granted that there is no danger of Mongol Hordes overrunning and conquering Europe, is it not possible that a yellow race, by adopting the products of European civilisation, may oppose successfully the aggres sive tendencies of the European nations in the Far East P In that case what attitude should these nations adopt? Should they combine to maintain by force of arms what they consider their civilising mission Or should they limit. Their pretensions in such a way as to leave room for the civilising activity of a young Oriental nationality which may some day raise the cry oi Asia for the Asiatics The former course was adopted by Russia, France'and Germany, when they compelled Japan to relinquish the conquests which she had made in Manchuria during her war with China, and when the present war is terminated the question will again come up for decision.

We naturally feel inclined to turn away from the thorny problems which we would gladly bequeath to future generations intact, but unfortunately we are very near to the parting of the ways. As to which way we should choose I refrain from expressing any opinion. All I wishto say is that common prudence suggests our looking a little ahead and considering the burning question in the Far East in its broader aspects. The war which is at present raging is not a mere struggle between two rival Powers for a bit of territory coveted by both. It is the beginning of a much greater struggle in which all nations having Eastern possessions and Eastern ambitions will be com pelled, sooner or later, howev'er reluctantly, to take part. Anything which prevents us from shutting our eyes to dis agreeable realities is to be welcomed, and it is for this reason that I venture, without endorsing all M. De Wesselitsky's views, to recommend them to the attention of the British public. On one point, at least, i cordially agree with him, that the preponderating feature of the situation in Asia is the rivaly of England and Russia, and that the interests of Europe and of Asia alike demand that this friction should cease.

About the Publisher

Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com

This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.