The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1875-12-25
THE PRIME MINISTER OF CHINA

China has evidently at length begun to move
in the paths of European progress, and it is
mainly owing to the enlightened policy of Lii
Hung-Chang, the Prime Minister, that this salu-
tary change has been brought about. He Is of
Chinese lineage, and Is the first of his race who
during the existence of the present dynasty has
attained the dignity of Grand Secretary or Prime
Minister, that Office having been heretofore re-
served for q Tartar Prince. 1t is chiefly to his
eminent military talents that Li-Hung-Chang is
believed to owe his present elevation. His first
care has been the military defence of the Empire.
He has established arsenals at various points for
the production of the material of war, he has
imported European arms for the troops, and he is
now carrying out an elaborate system of coast
defense with the aids lent by modern science.
For many years past Mr.. Fryer, on Englishman,
has been employed by the arsenal authorities at
S~hanghae in making translatiOns into Chinese of
the most valuable scientific works known in
Europe, and incalculable benefits have been rem
dered to China by this silent and unObtrusive
mode Of instruction, as the latest advances of
European knowledge have thus been placed at
the disposal of the Chinese. A Chinese Steam
Navigation Company, which now possesses a
number of steam vessels plying between Chinese
ports, has been established through the influence
Of Li-Hung-C Chang, and before long it is expected
that the Chinese flag will be seen in foreign
waters.
The latest measure of Improvement he has pro-
NOTED is the establishment of coal and iron mines
in the province of which he is the governor. A
contract for establishing such works was con-
cluded last year, and q Chinese official has re-
Gently visited the iron and coal districts of Eng
land in connection with this undertaking.
The Chinese are also to have an industrial ex-
hibition at Shanghae, which has received the
support of the Prime Minister and other great
Chinese officials, and which will, it is said, be
vigorously prosecuted to q successful conclusion.
China is a new field, and owing to the abundance
and cheapness of its labor, and the docllity and
intelligence of it's people, it appears likely to
become the workshop of the world. Cotton
mills, and indeed all industries requiring the
labor of many hands, are destined to be estab-
lished there at no distant date. Railways in
China cannot long be deferred, and the Chinese
merchants are quite conscious of the benefits
which they would confer upon them in promoting
the rapid exchanges of commerce.
Li-Hung-Chang appears to have very clearly
discerned the sources of national greatness. His
first care has been to preserve internal tranquility
by making the military position strong; his next
care has been to establish such means of local
inter- communication by sea as would diminish
piracy and promote commerce. Coal and iron
appear to be his next object of solicitude, and no
doubt the restoration of the canals, the improve
ment of the rivers, and the establishment of
roads and railways will follow.
All these symptoms of progress of the Chinese
in their own country are eminently satisfactory,
in a wide view of the worlds Advancement. But
yet, let us frankly say, we like that people better
in China than as near neighbors. Our acquaint-
ance with them, here, as a race, has not resulted
in our willingly adopting the conclusion of some,
that the Hawaiian nation of the future is to be
composed mainly Of Cinnamon.