ASPIRATIONS OF THE EAST

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 224, 27 January 1911, Page 5

ASPIRATIONS OF THE EAST

THE ASIATIC POPULATION PROBLEM. By Cable—Press Association—Copyright. Received 26, 11.35 p.m. London, January 20. Lord Curzon, delivering a Rectorial address at Glasgow University, discussed the demand of the East for representative institutions. There had been, he said, enormous changes during the decade. The personal ruler still appeals to the Oriental, but where absolution is accompanied by defiance of the national spirit, the East is willing to borrow Western methods. This was a symptom of the reviving self-consciousness of the Oriental mind.

Referring to colored labor, the objection of Australia, South Africa, Canada, and America, he said, was not based on prejudice alone, but had economic justification. It was dangerous, however, to let it attain serious proportions. The British, with their liberal humanitarian ideas, should be the leaders against the prejudice, especially as the colored races within the Empire outnumbered the wtiite. The Eastern world seemed everywhere to involve a revived sense of national pride, coupled with resentment . against foreigners. Possibly, if foreign capital and protective instruments were withdrawn, the East would incontinently collapse, but the East was aspiring to walk alone. . Behind the desire was a certain feeling of injured self-respect. The East was unlikely to accept Christianity. China's future depended mainly on whether parliamentary government has a dissolvent effect inside the Empire. If China is able to preserve her unity and organise her industry and commerce, she must become one of the greatest Powers. The self-centred and uriwarlike character, of the Chinese rendered it improbable that they would utilise their power for aggression. China contains enough unoccupied territory for double the present population. Japan's principal need was to preserve the national virtues of self-sacrificing patriotism and simplicity, which keen observers- report are in some jeopardy, and also to check the socialistic doctrines among industrial proletariat. Korea, Manchuria, and Saghalien would suffice for japan's surplus population for a while. If the present attitude of America and British overseas Dominions in prohibitina Asiatic immigration is maintained, it may lead to conflict. The Philippine Islands are perilously near Japan, but are within the tropics, where it is doubtful if the Japanese would be able to settle and work.