Page:A wandering student in the Far East vol.1 - Zetland.djvu/59

Rh concerning the Far East of those who ought to know better.

To sum up. The twentieth century has lifted the curtain on a Far East presenting for solution problems of unparalleled magnitude and of incalculable importance to Europe and America. Two nations are engaged in rough-hewing the destiny of Asia. Japan, a conquering and colonising nation, is engaged in a grim endeavour to become an industrial and commercial Power: China, the home of a peace-loving, trading people, is groping blindly after proficiency in arms. If the Japanese are successful in cultivating in the fighting classes a love and aptitude for commerce, without at the same time impairing their fighting qualities, then it may be predicted that, despite the comparative poverty of their natural resources, they will become a great people; but it is worth remembering that up to the present time the history of the world can provide no example of an Eastern race which has found it possible to cultivate in the same class both the love of commerce and the love of fighting. As far as the Chinese are concerned, it will