Mark Twain

The Treaty With China, its Provisions Explained Mark Twain

Every one has read the treaty which has just been concluded between the United States and China. Everyone has read it, but in it there are expressions which not every one understands. There are clauses which seem vague, other clauses which seem almost unnecessary, and still others which bear the flavor of "surplusage," to speak in legal phrase. The most careful reading of the document will leave these impressions-that is, unless one comprehends the past and present condition of foreign intercourse with China-in which case it will be seen at once that there is no word in the treaty without a meaning, and no clause in it but was dictated by a present need or a wise policy looking to the future.