attention of Englishmen to the important position my country occupies with regard to British interests in the far East. The first part deals with Japan and the Pacific Question: but so closely is the latter bound up with the so-called Eastern Question that in the second part I have traced the history of the latter from its genesis to its present development. Commencing with a historical retrospect of Russian and English policy in Eastern Europe, I have marked the appearance of a rivalry between these two Powers which has extended from Eastern Europe to Central Asia, and is extending thence to Eastern Asia and the Pacific. This I have done because any movement in Eastern Europe or Central Asia will henceforth infallibly spread northwards to the Baltic and eastwards to the Pacific. An acquaintance with the Eastern Question in all its phases will thus be necessary for the statesmen of Japan in the immediate future. I have confined my view to England and Russia because their interests in Asia and the North Pacific are so direct and so important that they must enter into close relations with my own country in the next century. I cannot claim an extensive knowledge of the problems I have sought to investigate, but it is my intention to continue that investigation in the several countries under consideration. By personal inquiries and observations in Eastern Europe, the United States, Canada, Australia, China, and the Malay Archipelago, I hope to correct some and confirm others of my conclusions. I have to thank many members of the University of Cambridge for their help during the writing and publication of my book. To Professor Seeley especially, whose hints and suggestions with regard to the history of the eighteenth century in particular have been so valuable to me, I desire to tender my most hearty and grateful thanks. To Dr. Donald Macalister (Fellow and Lecturer of St. John's College) and Mr. Oscar Browning, M.A. (Fellow and Lecturer of King's College) I owe much for kindly encouragement and advice and assistance in many ways, while I am indebted to Mr. G. E. Green, M.A. (St. John's College), for his labour in revising proofs and the ready help he has given me through the many years in which he has acted as my private tutor. 66 The chief works which I have used are Professor Seeley's Expansion of England," Hon. Evelyn Ashley's "Life of Lord Palmerston," and Professor Holland's "European Concert in the Eastern Question." The latter I have consulted specially for the history of treaties. CAIUS COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE, M. INAGAKI. CONTENTS. England and Asia-The Persian war-The Chinese war- Russian diplomacy in China-Singapore and Hong Kong -Labuan and Port Hamilton-Position of Japan; its resources-Importance of Chinese alliance to England- Strength of English position in the Pacific at present- Possible danger from Russia through Mongolia and Manchooria-Japan the key of the Pacific; her area and people; her rapid development; her favourable posi- tion; effect of Panama Canal on her commerce- -England's route to the East by the Canadian Pacific Railway- Japanese manufactures--Rivalry of Germany and England in the South Pacific-Imperial Federation for England and 73 of France; threatened by the Grand Alliance-The Spanish succession and the Bourbon league-England's connection with the war of the Austrian succession-The Seven Years' War-Revival of the Anglo-Bourbon struggle in the American and Napoleonic wars. PAGE FOREIGN POLICY OF RUSSIA DURING THE REIGNS OF PETER, CATHERINE, AND ALEXANDER Peter the Great, and establishment of Russian power on the Baltic-Consequent collision with the Northern States and the Maritime Powers-Catherine II. and Poland- First partition--Russia reaches the Black Sea-Russo- Austrian alliance against Turkey opposed by Pitt-Second and third partitions of Poland-Rise of Prussia-Alexander I. and the conquest of Turkey-Treaty of Tilsit-Peace of The concert of the Great Powers; its aims-It does not |