Question: Resolved, that it is to the interest of civilization that Japan be victorious over China.

Brief for the Affirmative.

W. R. PEABODY and THOMAS WESTON, JR.Best general references: Sir Edwin Arnold, in New Review, No. 64 (Sept. 1894), pp. 221-236; M. Hisa, in Forum, XVIII, 9 (Oct. 1894) pp. 216-228; Henry Norman, in Contemporary Rev., No. 345 (Sept. 1894), pp. 305-317; Henry Norman, "Real Japan," (London 1892), chs. v. xii, xiii; D. W. Stevens, in No. Am. Review, CLIX, 3 (Sept. 1894), pp. 308-318; Poultney Bigelow, in speaker, X, 238 (July 21, 1894); Boston Herald Editorials, Sept. 18, 19, 21, 22, 23, Oct. 2; Arthur H. Smith, Chinese Characteristics, chs. xvii-xxiv.

I. Victory for Japan means progress of civilization in China, Corea and Japan. - (a) China will be aroused from her present social stagnation. - (1) Through modern political theories. - (2) Education. - (3) Social improvements. - (b) Corea will be benefited. - (1) Political independence. - (2) Material progress. - (c) Japan will develop her present policy. - (1) In commercial freedom.

II. Victory for China means the retarding of civilization in China, Corea and Japan. - (a) China successful in present conservation government will make no effort to improve: Boston Herald, Sept. 19. - (1) The present unpopular Tartar dynasty will continue. - (2) Degradation of the people will continue. - (3) Material progress will be impossible. - (b) Corea will remain in obscurity. - (1) Suppressed by her own nobility: New Rev., Sept. 1894. - (2) Subjected to the indifference of China. - (c) Japan will be over-run with barbaric armies: Spectator, July 28, 1894. - (1) Thus retrograde to earlier conditions.

III. European nations will, by Japan's victory, be permanently restrained from mutual encroachments: forum, XVIII, 9 (Sept. 1894). - (a) Corea will receive a strong internal government. - (1) Thus preventing Russia's advance from the preventing Russia's advance from the north. - (b) China will adopt a progressive government. - (1) Thus checking advance of France and England from the South: Forum, XVIII, 9 (Sept. 1894.)

Brief for the Negative.

E. S. PAGE and S. W. PHILLIPS.Best general references: National Review, Oct. 1894, pp. 263-77; North American Review, Sept. 1894, pp. 300-8, 316-21; Spectator, Sept. 22, p. 360, Sept. 29, p. 392; Nation, Oct. 4, p. 250; Review of Reviews, Oct. 1894, pp. 361, 411-14; Public Opinion, Sept. 6, p. 545.

Both sides admit that China is the mainstay of Eastern Asia. - (a) Governs 400,000,000 people. - (b) Prevented French advances. - (c) Held Russia at bay. (d) Separated England and Russia.

II. The effect on Korea would be bad. - (a) If it becomes independent. - (1) Not permanent: Forum, Oct. 1894. p. 220. - (2) Continuance of present system of government: Nat Rev. Oct. p. 268. - (b) If Korea becomes a dependency of Japan. - (1) Japan's influence had heretofore: Con. Rev. Sept. '94, 311. - (2) Japan would squeeze it: No. Am Rev., Sept. p. 308. - (3) Continual rebellions: No. Am. Rev. Sept. p. 307.

III. The effect on Japan would be bad - (a) Politically. - (1) Jingo policy. - (2)Buffer state: Nat Rev. Oct. p. 273. - (b) Economically and socially. - (1) Effects of war on Japanese life and character: Nat. Rev. Oct. p. 266.

IV. The effect on China would be bad Spectator, Sept. 22, p. 357. - (b) Delicately poised Chinese Empire broken up: Spec. Sept. 22, 360 - (1) Petty kingdoms. - (2) Long period of readjustment. - (3) Absorption by European powers: Nat. Rev. Oct. p. 272.

V. The defeat of China would result in Russian ascendancy. - (a) Parts of China annexed. - (b) Russian alliance with Japan. - (c) Korean ports a basic of Russian naval operations: Cont. Rev Sept. p. 312. - (d) Barrier between Russia and England destroyed: Forum, Oct. p. 248. - (e) Russia will attack English dependencies in Asia and Polynesia: Nat. Rev. p. 277.

VI. Russian ascendancy would be a set-back to civilization. - (a) Effect on England. - (1) Religious and commercial civilization: Nation, Oct. 4, p. 250. - (2) Best colonizer in the world. - (3) Champion of free government. - (b) On Western Europe. - (1) Overthrow balance of power in the West: Spectator, Sept. 29, p. 392. - (c) On United States. - (1) Our interest in international affairs identical with England's. - (2) Involved in the division of Chinese territory.