Peninsula, therefore it is agreed to render special support iu any discussion or crisis that Japan shall initiate; and likewise, too, Japan shall support French action in Kuangtung and Kuangsi: and likewise that France shall give the utmost support to Japan also in any Japanese action in Fukien, Manchuria, Chihli, Slumtung, etc. From this we may observe that in the treaty contracted between Japan and France that Japan and France have settled on the limits of their Spheres of Influence in China. And the treaty says explicitly that the Liao Tung Peninsula is Japanese territory; that as Fukien is close to the Japanese Formosa and since Chihli and Shantung are near Liao Tung, they should therefore come within Japan's Sphere of Influence； Kuangchow Bay is French territory and Yunnan and Kuangsi, being adjacent to Kuangchow Bay, should come within the French Sphere of Influence. Moreover they still show a desire to be mutually helpful in preparing for the extension of their influence. Now this is the purport of the treaty between France and Japan.
As to the purport of the treaty between Japan and Russia as well as of that between England and Russia, though these have not yet been promulgated, yet it may be seen that they have no other object than to describe the respective Spheres of Influence. They each aim at extension without mutual interference: and they want to avoid strife at any future occasion； this is their idea, and nothing else. Still on the face of it, this treaty by name is not called an agreement between every nation, it only says Japan, France, or Japan, Russia, just as though under a figure of speech, they were hosts and guests. And it is most evident that the origin of this movement sprung from Japan. Both Japan and China are in Asia: and yet how dare the Japanese, being one with the Chinese, and, a member of the Yellow race, discuss with all the great Powers a scheme for the disposing of us Chinese, and moreover hypocritically affirm she does it to protect the independency of China！ But in all the world where is that country that is called independent and yet that needs to be protected by others？ Where are those that have an equal standing on the globe that make it their business to protect other countries? Where are those who can be protected without being also divided up? Ah! these honeyed words contain within them much poisonous potions. But from all this we may see that China is weak； very many speculate on us at present. I don't know how my fellow country men feel！
3. A DISQUISITION ON PATRIOTISM
If one has caught a cold， or is affected with sunstroke and the body gets feverish, and the stomach painful, be sure the whole family gets anxious, and the sick
