That motives of genuine philanthropy played their part in the Far Eastern policy of the Czar may readily be granted; but the enthusiasts who acclaimed him as the world’s peacemaker at the Hague Congress (May 1899) were somewhat troubled by the thought that he had compelled China to cede to his enormous Empire the very peninsula, the acquisition of which by little Japan had been declared to be an unwarrantable disturbance of the balance of power in the Far East.

These events caused a considerable sensation in Great Britain, even in a generation which had become inured to “graceful concessions.”  In truth, the part played by her in the Far East has been a sorry one; and if there be eager partisans who still maintain that British Imperialism is an unscrupulously aggressive force, ever on the search for new enemies to fight and new lands to annex, a course of study in the Blue Books dealing with Chinese affairs in 1897-99 may with some confidence be prescribed as a sedative and lowering diet.  It seems probable that the weakness of British diplomacy induced the belief at St. Petersburg that no opposition of any account would be forthcoming.  With France acting as the complaisant treasurer, and Germany acquiescent, the Czar and his advisers might well believe that they had reached the goal of their efforts, “the domination of the Pacific.”

With the Boxer movement of the years 1899-1900 we have here no concern.  Considered pathologically, it was only the spasmodic protest of a body which the dissectors believed to be ready for operation.  To assign it solely to dislike of European missionaries argues sheer inability to grasp the laws of evidence.  Missionaries had been working in China for several decades, and were no more disliked than other “foreign devils.”  The rising was clearly due to indignation at the rapacity of the European Powers.  We may note that it gave the Russian governor of the town of Blagovestchensk an opportunity of cowing the Chinese of northern Manchuria by slaying and drowning some 4500 persons at that place (July 1900).  Thereafter Russia invaded Manchuria and claimed the unlimited rights due to actual conquest.  On April 8, 1902, she promised to withdraw; but her persistent neglect to fulfil that promise (cemented by treaty with China) led to the outbreak of hostilities with Japan[494].

[Footnote 494:  Asakawa, chap. vii.; and for the Korean Question, chaps. xvi, xvii]

We can now see that Russia, since the accession of Nicholas II., has committed two great faults in the Far East.  She has overreached herself; and she has overlooked one very important factor in the problem—­Japan.  The subjects of the Mikado quivered with rage at the insult implied by the seizure of Port Arthur; but, with the instinct of a people at once proud and practical, they thrust down the flames of resentment and turned them into a mighty motive force.  Their preparations for war, steady and methodical before, now gained