When these events take place, not only will Europe experience great changes, but we should not ignore the fact that they will occur also in China and in the South Pacific.  After Russia has replaced Germany in the territories lost by Germany and Austria, she will hold a controlling influence in Europe, and, for a long time to come, will have nothing to fear from her western frontier.  Immediately after the war she will make an effort to carry out her policy of expansion in the East and will not relax that effort until she has acquired a controlling influence in China.  At the same time Great Britain will strengthen her position in the Yangtsze Valley and prohibit any other country from getting a footing there.  France will do likewise in Yunnan province using it as her base of operations for further encroachments upon China and never hesitate to extend her advantages.  We must therefore seriously study the situation remembering always that the combined action of Great Britain, Russia, and France will not only affect Europe but that we can even foresee that it will also affect China.

Whether this combined action on the part of England, France and Russia is to terminate at the end of the war or to continue to operate, we can not now predict.  But after peace in Europe is restored, these Powers will certainly turn their attention to the expansion of their several spheres of interest in China, and, in the adjustment, their interests will most likely conflict with one another.  If their interests do not conflict, they will work jointly to solve the Chinese Question.  On this point we have not the least doubt.  If England, France and Russia are actually to combine for the coercion of China, what course is to be adopted by the Imperial Japanese Government to meet the situation?  What proper means shall we employ to maintain our influence and extend our interests within this ring of rivalry and competition?  It is necessary that we bear in mind the final results of the European War and forestall the trend of events succeeding it so as to be able to decide upon a policy towards China and determine the action to be ultimately taken.  If we remain passive, the Imperial Japanese Government’s policy towards China will lose that subjective influence and our diplomacy will be checked forever by the combined force of the other Powers.  The peace of the Far East will be thus endangered and even the existence of the Japanese Empire as a nation will no doubt be imperilled.  It is therefore our first important duty at this moment to enquire of our Government what course is to be adopted to face that general situation after the war?  What preparations are being made to meet the combined pressure of the Allies upon China?  What policy has been followed to solve the Chinese Question?  When the European War is terminated and peace restored we are not concerned so much with the question whether it be the Dual Monarchies or the Triple Entente which emerge victorious but whether, in anticipation of