Page:Chinese Speaker (E. Morgan, 1916).djvu/27

Rh matter to love one's country when one is truly desirous of doing so. Let me begin by speaking of it in regard to the external world. If a foreigner insults me I must think of a way of retaliation. If others think to prey on me I must find a way to withstand them. And as to my attitude towards internal affairs; it only needs in any matter of utility the government may have, whether concerning trade, agriculture, industries, politics, education, military, police and such like, that I should exert my utmost strength (in co-operating); nothing less should satisfy my conscience. This is what is meant by doing practical things for love of country.

You will be saying after hearing this talk, it looks much like the talk of a tyro. I tell you all, gentlemen, if every one were to carry into action what the tyro says, our China, the Republic, would naturally become prosperous and strong.

Within the last few months, Japan has concluded a treaty between herself and England and Russia and France, and they have been discussing how to dispose of China. A fairly intelligent man must apprehend that in a treaty of this nature, the division of China lies, without doubt, at the root of the whole matter. The people of China are still dull in lethargy without any consciousness of pain, without a sense of tickling. The prospect truly is critical in the highest degree.

Now the treaty which Japan has concluded with France has already been made public. The treaties which Japan has made with Russia， and England with Russia, though they have not yet appeared, are on the eve of completion. But ii view of the treaty made between Japan and France will give a forecast of the principles of these others. Moreover it will be possible to conjecture the treaties that shall be made, not only with these countries (but with others as well).

I want to speak on the rationale of this matter, but allow me first to tell you a little parable. Please consider it well, all of you. The condition of China at present may be likened to a big ship floating on the main; numberless boxes of precious things are loaded in the boat. The people of the big ship are all asleep, and unaware that the crew of another ship early made a note of the cargo of their boat, and mentally decided most distinctly that this particular box must be given to a certain Chia, that box must be given to a certain Yi, and this other and that other box to so-and-so; but for