In China the fundamentals of our social system are brotherhood and the dignity of labor.
What, I ask, is the advantage of adding to national territory?
Let us examine the question calmly.

If a town or a province is seized the conqueror has to keep a large army to maintain peace and order, and unless the people are well disposed to the new authority there will be constant trouble and friction.

All this, I may say, in passing, is opposed to our Confucian code which bases everything on reason and abhors violence.

We would rather argue with a mob and find out, if possible, its point of view, than fire on it.

We have yet to be convinced that good results flow from the use of the sword and the cannon.