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and the failure to recognize the rights of a neutral state, as was the case in the first diplomatic controversy between Great Britain and the United States during the administration of Washington. They show the unexpected issues that may arise from a federal form of government in dealing with an international question, as occurred to Daniel Webster, while Secretary of State, in the noted case of the "Caroline." They also show how the international law of recognition became clarified and rendered more distinct to the American people, through the efforts of the United States to enfranchise the oppressed people of Cuba.

One of the most remarkable illustrations of the perversion of modern diplomacy is seen in the threatened partition of China by the Western European powers -there being no instance in recent times of such a systematic attempt to exploit the resources of an independent state, except perhaps that of Poland. A far different use of diplomatic methods was evident in the opening of the Suez canal-the status of which was not fixed at the outset by any provision of the existing international law, but for which European diplomatists provided a new law to meet the case in hand. How far the international policy of the United States conformed to the principles of international law, in the opening of the Panama canal, is perhaps still a mooted question, but it is discussed by the author, who inclines to the affirmative.

In these discussions there is explained the important · part taken by the United States in the development of the modern law of neutrality, and the application of that law in respect to the sale of munitions of war during the recent world conflict. The need of diplomatic methods in the adjustment of the relations be

tween a sovereign state and its dependent people, is seen in the progressive reforms of the British colonial system. It may seem desirable that a volume devoted to diplomatic methods should attempt to throw some light at least upon the mooted question of peace, without adopting the sentimental view of the pacifist or the idealistic view of the speculative philosopher. It may be a question whether there may not be a scientific view based upon the facts of social evolution, in which the successive stages of pacification may be traced in the progressive development of human society, and which may suggest the future steps that may be necessary for the further enlargement of the areas of peace.

In the treatment of these various subjects it has been the purpose to adhere as strictly as possible to the historical point of view-dealing with facts rather than with speculations. All the discussions are based upon authentic sources, with occasional reference to standard works, and with no attempt at detailed bibliography, with the simple purpose of making the subject-matter as accurate and lucid as possible.

University of Rochester,
Rochester, N. Y.

DIPLOMACY OF EUROPEAN POWERS IN THE FAR EAST: THE

THREATENED PARTITION OF CHINA

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