Excerpt from Present Conditions in China

In a previous course of addresses given under the auspices of the National Geographic Society I had the privilege of speaking upon the Chinese Empire, its people and government. At that time I dwelt mainly upon its long history, its great achievements in the past, and its valuable contribution to the philosophy, science, invention, and industries of the world. I have been asked to speak at this time upon the present conditions in that Empire.

In my former address it was seen that the ruling spirit which characterized this great people, numbering approximately one-fourth of the world's population, was an intense conservatism. They were justly proud of the achievements of their race, and were wedded to the principles and customs which had built up and perpetuated their Empire. They looked upon the innovations which were sought to be introduced through western civilization with a feeling of fear and aversion. Their intercourse with the nations which were the champions of this western civilization created at first suspicion, which at last ripened into hostility. The Europeans who sought intercourse with them manifested a disposition to gain their end by violence, culminating in a succession of wars, in which China was invariably worsted. The wars were attended or followed by enforced treaties, in which territory was surrendered to the Europeans, foreign settlements were established in almost every available port within the Empire, wherein the imperial government gave up a part of its sovereignty, its right to fix its customs tariff and regulate its foreign trade was taken from it, its treasury was despoiled by vast indemnities for exaggerated damages exacted under duress of arms, and in various other ways its sovereignty was infringed and its independence restricted.

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