The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-07-04
THE MAN TO SAVE CHINA.
Kong Yo Wal, Once the Emperor's Adj
wiser, Now Reform Leader.
Ainslee's Magazine

Ainslees Magazine.
1T is probably fortunate that there ex-
arly and able Kong 70 Wal, whom the En-
peror had taken into his confidence. Kong
had been educated abroad. He was a mas
ter of political history and an adept in
statecraft His brilliant mind foresaw the
dissolution Of the empire which would fol-
low the war with Japan. Prior TO the war
he had addressed many petitions to tho
Emperor urging him to take radical steps
to prevent the fatal process. and the En-
peror, struck with the wisdom Of the man.
ummoned him TO his council. What was
done through the guidance OF the new
statesman is a matter of history. Reforms
of the most sweeping character were in
augurated, and Kong 70 Wa fell from
power. along with his superiors- Through
shrewd planning, and by tho aid OF the
self-sacrihcing loyalty OF the Emperor.
press dowager and her adherents, and at
once turned his restless and determined
ambitions for the good of his country into
new lines of activity.
Through Kong Yo Waits genius the 70
Wong Woey. or reform party. was organ
ICED. Seemingly the influence that had
touched the Emperor and opened his eyes
TO TIE possibilities of modern civilization
had touched thousands of other individuals
i'm similar manner. For many years edu-
cation and enlightenment had been maxi
ing steady, although very slow. progress
through the nation. The missionary, the
trader, the traveller and the sportsman had
been almost ~eryw among the people.
and their influence had created a vague
yearning for better things than those OF
the ancient exclusiveness. Many Cinnamon
had been abroad for education Many had
been in America and Europe in mercantile
adventure and had returned TO their homes
filled with ideas more or less modern. Many
more had felt the effect Of the immediate
neigfborhood of Hong-Kong and Macao.
PortGgals little island near Canton. When.
therefore. Kong Yo Wal was so dramatical-
ly deposed a spontaneous sympafhy for
both him and for his ideas came TO life in
all the eastern portions of the empire. He
became at once the natural leader. China
men rallied 10 him from everywhere he
had but TO appear in the neutral port OF
Macao and make his purposes known in
order 10 gather about him the nucleus
OF the great movement now known
as the Pc Wong Woey. This organization
aims 60 be all that its name implies. II pro-
poses to reform the Celestial empire. over
turn the traditions and seclusions that have
existed for 5000 years. open the door OF the
country to the civilized world, build public
schools. construct a great navy, organize a
merchant marine. and make thu nation one
OF the great factors In modern institutions
and -advapcement. The programme IS an
ambitious one. People older IN the WAYS
OF civilization and progress than the revo-
lutionary faction of China might well balk
at IL. But there seems 10 be tremendous
determination in this instance which grows
greater with every reverse. Already the
membership of the society has extended 10
over 25,000,0O subjects OF the empire, and its
influence ramihes through all provinces and
all courts. Despite the deposition OF the
Emperor. who was practically an element
ton presses more closely upon me throne.
and IL looks as il IL might be only a ques-
ton of time before the Empress dowager
either puts into the deposed youths place a
successor chosen by the Pc Wong woey or
submits TO the same fate she has inflicted
upon Kwang Hsu."