Page:The empire and the century.djvu/877

ance of these conditions, dependent mainly on our tenure of the Eastern Colonies, is only now coming home to the great mass of English people in the lessons taught by the tremendous struggle between Russia and Japan. If we may hope that this most sanguinary conflict is nearing its end, can there be a question of greater importance to England than the terms of peace and our future relations with Japan and China? Within reasonable limits of time, is it likely that any Imperial question can be of such vital concern to English interests as the development of China, and the terms on which our alliance with Japan is to be continued? It may be assumed that no English Government would neglect the opportunity of renewing that alliance, or would permit the diplomacy of other powers to prevent its renewal Japan recognises the value of our friendship now and in the future; but will our statesmen fully grasp the position and all its potentialities? Of the possibilities for good and evil there is hardly any limit. Where so much might be said, there is wisdom in restraint; but everyone who has any personal acquaintance with the facts must feel a keen anxiety that those with whom will rest the final decision of this momentous question will at least have the fullest and most accurate information to guide them. Whatever happens in regard to peace, to terms, to the future of China and its four hundred millions, to the expansion of Japan, and to the ultimate relations between the island powers of West and East, it is certain that the importance of our Eastern Colonies must increase. The intention of this paper is to endeavour to impress upon English readers the immense value of these three Crown Colonies at the present time; their unique positions in regard to the navy, the mercantile marine, the British manufacturer, merchant, and banker; the influence that is and ought to be exercised from these points of vantage; and the opportunities possessed by the British Government for utilizing these outposts of Empire as centres from which to collect the best, the latest, and the most