pain of instant dismissal, and the press began to demand a new
treaty. It is gratifying to know that in the future Chinese
immigrants are likely to be more justly treated, but it is not
pleasant to reflect that the American people apparently cared
little about the iniquity of their anti-Chinese laws until Chinese
resentment touched their pockets.



XIV

DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS--TREATIES

IN view of some of the facts presented in the two preceding
chapters, it is not surprising that the efforts of foreign
powers to establish diplomatic relations with the Chinese
Government were rather tempestuous. A full account of the
negotiations would require a separate volume. For two generations,
nation after nation sought to protect its growing interests
in China and to secure recognition from the Chinese Government,
only to be met by opposition that was sometimes courteous
and sometimes sullen, but always inflexible until it was
broken down by force. Each envoy on presenting his letters
was politely told in substance that the Chinese official concerned
was extremely busy, that to his deep regret it would not
be possible to grant an immediate conference, but that as soon
as possible he would have pleasure in selecting a ``felicitous
day'' on which they could hold a ``pleasant interview'';[49] and
when the envoys, worn out by the never-ending procrastination,
finally gave up in disgust and announced their intention of returning