66 
PACIFIC ERA 
possible for him to rival, in their case, collections already existing, or to 
bring their representation into parallel completeness with his three chosen lines. 
We come now to estimate Mr. Freer’s aim as a whole, and we readily see 
that it is all the finer for not being encyclopaedic, even in its own line. If he 
is enthusiastic and intuitive, he is equally wise and practical. It is not to in¬ 
clude all basis for a future advanced art-study; only such important parts of 
the basis as are, at a critical present, in danger of never being brought into, and 
shown in, their aesthetic unity. No other collector has had such an opportunity 
of knowing Mr. Whistler’s purpose, through deep personal intimacy. It is 
not too much to say that Mr. Freer is probably the greatest living expert in 
artistic pottery. And of Chinese and Japanese painting he is probably the 
most inwardly appreciative, if not the largest buyer. Unique opportunities for 
doing the world a supreme service are thus united in Mr. Freer’s personal and 
professional accomplishments. 
OUR HOPES IN CHINA.* 
BY COUNT OKUMA. 
Ex-Prime Minister, Ex-Minister for Foreign Affairs, etc., of Japan. 
' China has a history stretching over four thousand years: she is a 
nation of four hundred millions of people. As for her territory, it covers the 
great stretch of Central Asia. The very mention of her name in the olden 
days covered the world with awe; the fame of her power went over the four 
seas. In modern times her national strength declined, and she stands as a 
happy hunting ground for the unscrupulous powers of the earth. For many 
years past, even our own country, which stands so close to her and which 
understands her better than the others, failed to place much weight on the 
Chinese question; of late, however, this has changed. The Chinese question 
is assuming a large proportion in the minds and eyes of our countrymen. The 
Manchurian problem especially is taxing the brains of our diplomatists. It 
is a matter of congratulation that periodicals are now being issued dealing with 
China and her affairs. We see here and there, organizations for the study 
of Chinese problems. All these point to the fact that we are paying a great 
deal of attention to this question. We must indeed read the significance of 
our position and our relation to China in a new light; we have joined the 
household of the great powers of the world; we must ask, “What is our attitude 
and our position toward China? What are to be the relations between our 
country and the ancient empire?’’ Many of us are ambitious enough at the 
present time to desire to have a voice in the settlement of a large num- 
*) Trandated by Ada chi Kinnoeuke. 
Copyright 1907, by Adacbi Kinnosuke. 
