"Very well. I'll go here," said the American, indicating the blue part of the map.
"Excuse me," said another European gentleman, "you can't do it there. That part of China belongs to Russia."
"Here, then," continued the American, laying his finger on a green spot. "This will do."
Another suave alert diplomatic gentleman stepped forth.
"That," he said regretfully, "is French."
So it went on all over the map. The Chinese officials sat silent, while one European representative after another stepped forward with his objections. Finally, in exasperation, the American turned to the silent Chinese and asked:
"Where the hell is China?"
FOOTNOTES:
[1] America has neither a concession nor a sphere of influence in all China.