There are many theories concerning the cause of the present trouble in China, but the one leading cause is selfishness. We are having "perilous times" in these "last days," because men are "lovers of their own selves, covetous," etc. As this is a prevailing characteristic of individuals, it must be also of the combinations of individuals known as nations. The Chinese are selfish and reserved, deeming themselves superior to other nations; therefore they wish to exclude other people from the empire. The other nations are selfish and aggressive, desiring to enforce modern ideas and customs upon the Chinese, for the purpose of gaining enlarged "spheres of influence." The selfishness of the western nations is antagonistic to that of the Chinese; hence the clash.