The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-12-11
THE AWAKENING OF CHINA.
Rev. w. ID. Kings Observations in
the Land of COnfucius.

the Land OF COnfucfus.
Rev. William D. King, formerly of this
city, now missionary in China, has writ
ten an interesting letter from Tai-au-fu
to his brother, Mr.. Albert NJ. King, on
affairs in the celestial empire. Mr. Kings
letter was written Oct II. In it he says:
A remarkable state of things has come
to pass. Even here in poor old China,
which land has been so long reputed as
being mammoth Sleepy Hollow, the air
is full of the noise of actually occurring
events and of rumors beyond number.
One is Being kept quite on the qui Vive
to know what is going to happen next.
Japan gave China a prod which woke
her up. The other nations have been
pecking her ever since. Germany has
taken Kiao-Chou, Russia occupies Port
Arthur and the British hold Wei-Hai-
Wei. The different powers are constantly
wrangling over the extent of their
spheres of influence and who shall build
the railroads which the government is
now projecting 1t doesn't seem likely
that China will have an opportunity to
get any more sleep soon.
The young Emperor really seems to
have some spirit of enterprise about him.
He evidently means to bring about a
thorough reform if he can. A postal SER
vice has been initiated which as yet oper
ates only between the open ports, but
which will gradually be extended into the
interior of the country. Railroads be-
tween Tieatsin and Shau-hai-Kwan.
Tientsin and Pekin, and Shanghai and
Woo-sung are already in operation. Con-
tracts for the construction of lines Of
road from Pekin to Canton via Hankow
and from Shanghai and Hankow have
been given out, and work on these roads
is already begun. ut will be pleasing to
your patriotism to know that the United
States comes in for their full share of
these contracts). The navigable waters in
the interior of the country have with
some restrictions, been thrown open to
foreign trade. And efforts are being made
by the government to establish snip
building plant at Foo-Chow.
But the most important steps taken by
the Emperor are in the direction of gov
ernmental and educational reform. Many
useless offices have been done away with
in the interest of economy, and expedi-
ton. orders are forth that even the low
er officials shall in the future be per-
mitted to memorabilia his majesty, which
will enable a closer surveillance of the
deeds of his officers throughout the en-
pire 1t IS only a few weeks since the inn
perial edict was posted in all the cities
and larger towns, directing a complete
change in the style Of the governmental
examinations and introducing the sciences,
history. geography, mathematics, etc. 1t
was ordered that free schools be opened
in all cities. towns and villages, sufficient
TO accommodate all the children; that the
temples be cleaned of their idolatry, and
the buildings used and house these schools,
while the lands should be employed In
their support. 1t is said that the min
isters of China and foreign lands have
been instructed TO arrange for the edu-
cation Of such Chinese as may reside
within their jurisdiction. A special com
mission is reported to have been sent to
Tapan 70 study the civil government and
school system IN vogue there. A mail or
two since word came of the proposed visit
bv rail to Tien-tsin Of the Emperor and
Empress Dowager This would be a dl-
rect violation Of the established custom
that the Emperor should never leave Pc
Kin. IL seems 70 have been meant by him
as a first step toward shaking himself
loose from the letters Of that augustness
which Is 80 sacred AZ to make u death
for any ordinary citizen 40 look upon his
person.
such changes ~ these are very radical
and a 81 not 10 be wondered ~ that
there should BE- much protest However
disappointing, Il did not occasion very