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We have distinguished the rights and benefits of various nations in the world under international law. International law is not established by any one state nor was it formulated by judges selected by all the nations in the world. Nevertheless, those countries with high levels of civilization exercise restraint on their power and observe international law. Should one or two strong and ruthless countries behave unlawfully toward and try to take advantage of a weak nation, the latter has the right to reject such attempts, thanks to the power of international law. Even when the weak nation cannot reject unwarranted demands [by itself], other nations may protest and stop the strong country from carrying out unwarranted acts, again due to the power of international law. So great is the power of international law; it is truly magnificent. The levels of religion and civilization, however, are not uniform throughout the world. It is not infrequent that a nation, relying on its strength, commits an act of injustice against unenlightened nations in violation of international law. The unenlightened do not understand the law and do not realize that the strong nation’s behavior reflects contempt [for their victims]. Instead these [unenlightened] nations may say that international law is not as powerful as a cannon and try to rely on force rather than the law. The strong nation would reciprocate, thus creating a situation fraught with danger for both sides including the [unenlightened ] nation itself. To grant independence to such a nation would be like giving a sharp sword to a child, who may hurt himself with it. The sword ought to be taken away so that the child cannot use it at his whim. It is for this reason 62 9. The Nation May Not Last If the People Remain Unenlightened that the unenlightened nation, regardless of its size or strength, cannot receive the protection of international law nor retain its sovereign rights, not because the law is unfair. The intent of international law is to preserve equal benefit and rights to all nations and their peoples in accordance with the principles of Heaven and humanity. With the spread of culture to various nations, and as civilization attains uniformity among them, international law should apply everywhere. If one or two nations should remain unenlightened, however, there would be of necessity certain differences in these nations’ rights under international law. An enlightened nation considers it a matter of common interest that all nations and all people are open to all; it thus wants to share the best of its own with the whole world in an equitable way. An unenlightened nation, on the other hand, does not understand this idea and contends that it has no interest in things of other nations that are new, while these other nations do not want things of its own that are old; therefore, it would insist on closing its doors and continuing to live as before in isolation. This [policy] cannot be justified as [an exercise of] the right of independence, nor should it be unchallenged. It may become necessary to restrain [such behavior] and make [the unenlightened nation] adhere to common rules and correct its biased views. Of course, this is the primary reason for the impairment of the rights of freedom and independence. If one or two instances [of externally imposed restraint] should suffice to awaken and change the mind of an unenlightened nation to accept enlightenment, follow international law, and bring benefits to both parties [the subject and the object of such intervention], there is no reason that foreign nations would continually intervene. [By the same token,] there is no reason why [the previously unenlightened nation] should accept blindly the others’ extralegal behavior. [On the other hand,] if the unenlightened nation refuses to wake up and steadfastly opposes enlightenment, it will either break up or end up as a dependent nation or a protectorate. God’s intent in creating the myriad things in the universe was to let none of them go to waste but be useful to all mankind. However, not all men know this intent, and the level of knowledge determines the level of enlightenment. For example, everyone knows how to plant grain seeds in the field, to fish in the water, and to hunt on the mountain. As for gold, silver, copper, iron, coal, petroleum, and other natural resources, limitless reserves exist hidden underground; that they exist for humankind’s use, some knew...

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