Were I writing merely as an American professor who has enjoyed the distinction of serving as the first American Exchange Professor to China, I should have no excuse for adding another sentence: for the foregoing statement makes it quite clear that I may not fairly be classed among the harsh critics of the Chinese students. But I am at present the executive head of the China Society of America, an organization composed of Chinese and American friends of China, and working for the perpetuation and increase of a friendship which means much for both countries—not less for America than for China. Mr. Frederick W. Stevens, whose views are also discusssed in the editorial in question, has just become a member of the Board of Directors of the China Society of America, and is in full sympathy with its aspirations, its plans and its faith in the ultimate destiny of the Chinese people.
{The China Society of America and Mr. Stevens are at one with reference to the course which should po pursued regarding the Chinese"student problem First. strive toa provide in China itself adequate facilities for the general education of the Chinese youth. "Too many... are b educated away from practical service in China, acquiring an intellectuality that is theoretical rather than applied, and out of sympathy with the thought and needs of the illiterate masses,'' as Mr. Stevens has expressed it.
Second, strive to tide over the inevitable transition period when many Chinese must be sent abroad for undergraduate study, by making certain that they receive in the United States the training best calculated to fit them to meet the very practical problems which will confront them upon their return to China.
Third, shorten the transition period by strengthening as rapidly as possible the colleges and universities already in China, recognizing them as the effective champions of the cause of liberal government, now for the first time on trial in Asia, with China the test case.
The problems of a world in process of reconstruction are great problems, but the greatest of them centre in China. Long ago John Hay saw this, and spoke those words of warning to his fellow-Americans: '"'Whoever understand@s China, socially, politically, economically and religiously holds the key to the world's politics for the next five centuries."' General Smuts saw it as he contemplated the failure of his vision of a league of nations. "The scene has shifted away from Europe to the Far East," he told the Conference of Prime Ministers in 1921..... The problems of the Pacfic are to my ming the world's problems of the next 50 years or more. and there, I believe, the next great chapter of human history will be enacted."
Into American hands, during the crisis of Asia, has been given the task of trainfwg each year 2,000 of the selected minds of China. The question of the degree of our success or: failure is among the great questions of the day; the correction of errors is among the great duties of Americans.
No one claims that our success in training these students for leadership has been commensurate with the greatness of our opportunity. To blame the students themselves would be folly. They are the subjects, not the operators. They have taken what was offered, assuming that it was the best that could be offered, and have done their work with praiseworthy faithfulness. But the question remains—still a question—Have we given to the problem of their training the thought and energy and care which it deserves? There will be few in either land to answer: Yes, we have."'
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.