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180 the tide of commerce and the demands of business were driving from the other direction. Firm in the belief that a "strong and vigorous policy," continual "pressure," and a coercion based upon the unanswerable arguments of naval batteries were the only methods to handle a "foreign, corrupt, semi-barbarous and usurping government," they were rapidly driving that government to its wits' end. The expiration of some of their trade conventions threatened the distracted ministers with unknown disasters. For even if they were willing to accept uplift and progress, the people were not. They would resist with all the fury begotten of an inherent reverence for and devotion to their ancient traditions, customs, and "superstitions." If the Dowager Empress decided to resist, she knew very well she would be overwhelmed. If she did not, her throne would not be worth a yen. The people would not stand by her.

The prospect was that demands would be made for the exemption of foreign goods from