Count Okuma contributes to the "Jitsugyo-no-Nippon" the conclu-son of a long article on China, of which the "Japan Chronicle" makes the following epitomized transla-_ ion have already explained that China is in a moribund condition.
Whether she will be rejuvenated and grow into a strong nation, or suc-cump to this malady that has eat? into her very heart, is a vital ques tion affecting Japan, and as such the Japanese must pay the closes. attention to the future of the country. The fate of China will be practically decided by the attitude of the Powers. Without their assis: tance China can scarcely hope to succeed in building up a Govern-mont that will command the respect and obedience of the country. The new Government, of which—much was expected, has turned out a appointment.' Those who are responsible for its formation were eager for the speedy restoration of peace that they failed sufficiently to consolidate the basis on which the Government circumstances, ternecine strife will continue to occur in the country, and foreign in-restora will prefer not to risk their it would be fortunate if she does not experience rear collapse in the course of the next decade or so. The only hope for her will lie in the consolidation of the Government, with the! help of the Powers, before such a contingency takes place.
"The vast extent of the Empire, with its teeming millions, makes the establishment of an efficient Government a very difficult task. The system of Viceregal adminis tration, marking out the country into eighteen provinces, was in force during the succeeding dynasties. The Viceroy, in his particular sphere of influence, was a sort of political contractor. Such a system of administration, if not ideal, would perhaps be inevitable in a country like China in its present condit Although New China has proclaimed a Republic, it would be impossible to swee} the old systems and traditions by a stroke of the pen, and to rule the country by means of a Central Government. At present the Chinese Government, though s republic in name, has no actual power of administration. It would be better and more advisable to alter the form of government into a Confederacy, that is, the Viceregal system with modification, the central fountain head only to retain the power of initiating a general policy, leaving all details of administration to the head of each province "United we stand, and divided we fall' is as true to-day as in the days of yore. Political unity among the people is an essential condition to the building-up of a really strong Government in China. The Chinese as a people are not inferior to other peoples in any respect. In fact, they are superior to others in some respects, such as business acumen and perseverance, and the country holds untold millions in the shape of rich mineral deposits and extensive tracts of fertile land.
If the people be properly governed and the country's resources developed, China's future will be very bright indeed. The Powers necessarily have no intention of carrying out the partition of China; the existing condition of international relationship would not allow the consummation of such a scheme.
What they are most interested in is investments in China to open up hor natural wealth, and what they most dread is the presence of di turbing elements acting against the attainment of this object. Although the Powers are agreed by common consent to strive for the preservation of China's integrity, it is not at all unlikely that pressure from other directions may cause the splitting-up of the country. The pr sure of Western civilization on Ct na is gathering more and more force, and she may find it no longer possible to resist its persistent on-slaugh. However the Powers m: try to preserve the integrity of na, they would be virtually pow less to arrest or restrict individual though these are liable to occasion international trouble of the most delicate nature. The lawless actions on the part of bands of American filibusters were the cause of complications between America and Mexico, resulting in the cession to the former of Texas, California, and New Mexico. The present strained relations between the two countries may be traced to a somewhat similar state of affairs. America's share in the insurrection in Cuba and the subsequent declaration of the island's independence is recognized by many. It is not improbable that the same agency as in the above instances may force political upheaval in China with a result no one can prophesy.
"As already remarked, it is not likely that any of the Powers will entertain selfish designs on China. If, however, some of them contrive to monopolize interests in China by seceding from the concert of the Powers, that movement may be a signal for a general scramble among them, and the doom of the old Empire would be inevitable. Fortunarely there is in existence the Anglopanese Alliance, which, primarily designed against any such contingency, will be effective in preventing an occurrence of this na-
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.