The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1896-12-11
TO STOP FOOT BINDING In CHINA.
Strong Movement Started by o
Literary Graduate.

SHANGHAI. Dec 1e-A remarkable move
ment in China, which promises to have wide
tation, recently started by prominent mem
Der of the Chinese HteraH in Suifu a great
city Of Szechuan. foot binding forces
women to walk on feet Of the size Of infants,
Gripping them for life. 1t is a shocking
practfce) The leader Of this movement is
Chon. literary graduate and scholar of
means and influence. HIS home is a leading
city IN the richest province in China. While
the district examinations were being held
there recently every one was amazed at the
appearance OF largenposters on all the dead
cSnsse to an appeal to all educated
young daughters by Bodybuilding The proc
iamation was signed by Chon and half
dozen other prominent Graduates and on
The proclamation was written in the reg
ulation Chinese mafner.5 1t contained many
quotations from Confucius, but its main
point was directed to the edict OF Emperor
Shun Chin in 1862 proneuneing the binding
Of girls feet to be Illegal. Chon declared
that this edfct had Dbeeh obeyed for time
and then ignored. He describes the fortunes
which young Chinese girls of the better class
are forced to endure, and the misery and
tears that are their portion for months and
years. Even the worst conyicts, he says
are never called upon tosendure what fool
ism custom imposes upon the tender frame
on young girls who are beloved nv their
Fathers. He then calls attention to the help
!essness OF such crippled women and to their
unable TO defend or remove them from peril
He closes by exhorting all educated Chinese
10 use their influence in abolishing custom
that Is barbarous and opposed to the welfare
of the nation.
From Chinese standpoint the proclama-
ton is ably written, though an American or
places put into stilted language. and to the
self-evident propositions which Mr.. Chon
argues at length That 1t has made a strong
Impression IN Is shown by the discussion of It
r1o~
conservative writers oppose the movement
nut 1t has gained more friends than enemies
IL appears that MIR. Chon, the author of the
proclamation, which has been distributed in
the form of tracts throughout Szechuan and
neighboring provinces, was an examiner at
Pekin until recently when the death Of his
fatner forced him to return home. There he
found his fayorite daughter, only seven years
OLD, crying and hebbling around with her
oounQ feet. He was so much impressed with
me chiid,s apparent suffering that he wrote
of number of his influential friends all
scholars, who had held public Office. Tbess
men also agreed to abolish the binding of
slris Ieet IN their own households and
among their dependents.
Good judges OF the Chinese character de-
clare that this movement bids fair fn have
greater results than any reform started in
recent years, because the Chinese have q
reverence for scholarship. What would ax
cite no comment If put out by foreign or
native missionary Is regarded as of the first
importance when signed by literary grad
uate like Mr.. Chon. What makes it more
signlhcant is that Mr. Chon appeals to all
classes, for in the western part of Szechuan
and in neighboring provinces the binding of
the feet Of female children is universal. Even
the women who work in the fields have
crippled -feet and are forced to follow the
harvesters on their hands and knees In fact
the average length of the female foot In ali
the western part of the province is only three
1ncnes, vet no woman can expect to get a.
husband who does not comply with the Gus
tom and have their feet deformed. It will
be a striking tribute to the effect of mission
airy work in China, should this abolition of
foot binding spread throughout the empire