The Wichita daily eagle., 1893-11-18

within the last twenty years, the
empire is far from being equal yet to
any foreign power in war-malSing
strength; and that war would probably
end in Chinese defeat and humiliation.
That is the reason why China submit
ted to the late French aggression in
Siam. The time is coming when
China will hold her own with any
power, but it is not yet. In the mean
time let China lend all her energies to
making herself great at home by in
Producing reforms and borrowing the
modern arts and sciences. That is Lis
idea"
II understand that it was through
the viceroy that telegraph was in
augurated in China"
Eyes, that was twenty years ago. It
was his influence with Prince King,
then the great power behind the
throne, which secured the authorize
ton. There are now about eight thou
sand miles of line connecting the i'm
portant provincial and commercial CEN
ters with Peking. That has done a
great work in opening the eyes of the
bigoted literary class, most Of whom
have fought bitterly against Lis re-
forms
THE literary class! Why one would
fancy they would be heart and soul for
reform"
''Not in China. Yon must know that
no man can ever acquire the rank Of
mandarin, or even petty Office, with
out passing through one or more Of the
literary examinations, of which there
are three. Literature in China means
merely the ancient Chinese classics,
the notions of which about science,
art and history are very narrow and
antiquated. The great scholar in China
saturated in this ancient learning is
man whom we should call very ignor-
ant. His conceit despises the new
knowledge. Besides. he knows that
if the western arts and sciences get
the upper hand he would need to be-
gin all over again. or be nobody Ii
is a great master of the Chinese classics
and reveres them. but he outgrew
them many years ago"
II suppose many western books of
science are translated into Chinese and
are available for those who might wish
TO use them
That is one great stumbling block
Chinese, though in many respects
rich and beautiful language, is struc-
tura lly incapable of representing the
faphnn1Nrrxy nf
ideas which lie behind it. Those
who master foreign science must do SO
in foreign languages for the present.
Ii himself, to be sure, knows no Eng
lish or French, but he is such
thorough student Of results. of historic
and political facts, that, while
technically ignorant Of science, he
fully appreciates it. You can see, now,
why the literati fight so against the
arts and sciences of the west"
How does Ii stand in regard to
American legislation against the Chi
nese? Do you think that any meas
ures of retaliation are likely to be in
troduced in China against the Amer
icans?"
THE Chinese attitude, of which Ii
Hung Chang is the exponent, is,
think, one of waiting expectancy. Ii
is too profoundly occupied with the
welfare of four hundred million of peo-
pie to care very much about the few
thousands in America per sc. He is,
however, as a responsible statesman
keenly alert to the dignity OF his coun-
try, and thinks that Chinese emigrants,
even though belonging to the very
lowest coolie class, should not be un-
justly treated. Ii is not in favor Of
and is not unwilling that it
should be checked. But he wants it
done on lines of common decency. His
position is eminently cool-headed and
AS for retalia ton, there
IS no danger of it, think. at least at
present. Of course no one could speak
for the final action of statesman,
whose motto is to let each contingency
.ake care of itself"
Probably the viceroy, too, is large
y influenced by trade relations with
American"
Perhaps! He is certainly one of
hose who would allow no factor to es-
ape him in solving a problem. As
lorthern superintendent of trade he is
much concerned with all commercial |
interests. America is an important |
customer of China. The Chinese have |
.lready begun to be exercised over the |
ivalry of India and Ceylon in the tea |
which would not have |
'ecn possible. except for the better !
manufacturing methods of the English |
The best China tea is /
luch superior in delicacy of flavor !
III such questions of traderivalry and |
he means of increasing Chinese ex- |
'orts have greatly exercised Lis
In regard TO the outrages against |
he missionaries in China. has not Lis |
ction been somewhat indifferent? II |
Gems to me that with his great weight |
n affairs he could have taken a more
ronounced stand"
The viceroy. you must clearly IN
erstand. could only exercise jurisdic-
ion over any outrages occurring in
is own province He is friendly 10
le missionaries, because he believes |
hey help progress IN China, bat
tiquette would not permit him 10 in
erfere, by word or deed. in matters re-
lting TO another province. unless he
ere appointed imperial commissioner
]r the purpose. AS matter of inter
ational controversy the question
ould only come 10 him by transmits
on from the Tsung-li-yamun. Lis at
tude IS not misunderstood in China
7 the foreign residents He would
i've tie missionary all due protection
His Glass ARM
s,Ihis l. M rlass arm" said The hall