The Chinese occupy a very big and productive share of the earth's surface. They are responsible to the world for its proper use and development, or for ite abuse and]; non-productivity. The same fundamental ruleg govern s nation's title to its property holdings s govern the individual or the small group. Occupancy of a house does not entitle the occupant to wreck it. A man wit valuable property is resporitible to the community for its proper use. When he fails to develop it for his own and the community's good, he invariably loses it, one fashion or another, and a worthier custodian comes into control of it. If a corporation fails to meet its obligations it is declared bankrupt, receivers are appointed and those who have unvested in it cither Teceive some compensation or have a voice in its rehabilitation. The laws which govern such matters operate whether they are in writing or not and all history proves that they apply just as surely to nations! as to individuals.
The whole task of international lomacy for several ha been to help the Chinese maine tain their hold upon China by gui ing them to an intelligent use and development of their own country, that no predatory Power group of Powers could use their inability to administer their estate ay an excuse for stepping in and wresting their sovereignty from them. 'The peace of the world demands that China should remain in Chinese hands, efficient and produce tive, #0 that she may not become the' prize in a vast international struggle. It was with this distinct though tacitly acknowledged purpose, that the Powers refrained on many' opportune occasions in the past from breaking China up and giving her a respectable administration. Tt was in the hope that China's control might remain in Chine hands and thereby stave off the inevitable squabble over her property that might come if she collapsed altogether, that we forced foreign administrators upon her as} China's servants,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.