Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1900-06-22

borbarous predecessors She is endeav-
orng TO maintain the excluslyeness
against the foreign intruders But
against her stand not only the foreign
ers. but q large class OF her own Chinese
subjects. Western Ideas, western learn
Ing have been sown among them, and
the seed ls commencing 10 bear fruit.
Prof Robert x. Douglas, an authority
on Chinese affairs, recently wrote In the
Nineteenth Century that the demand
for western literature has increased oil
over the empire He says the Society
for The Diffusion Of Christian and Cen
eral knowledge Among the Chinese
has issued over 100 different works
These are sold. and the demand for
hem has Increased remarkably Thus
when a popular edition Of Mackenzies
Nineteenth Century was recently
brought out 1000 copies were sold With
in a fortnight The society's agents
have made particular efforts 10 cir
culate their books and pamphlets
among students. a stock IS maintained
az each Of the 200 centers Of examine
ton IN the empire and the sales have
been steadily rising.
Another striking feature is the cir
culauon Of native newspapers. Prof
Douglas says in 1895 there were only
nineteen 10 the whole empire. In 1898
the number was quadupled. lie be-
lieyes the Japanese war with its shock
and surprise Of defeat was the means
OF convincing even the most complacent
mandarlns that their country must
learn OF western civilization or perish.
In 1893. before the war the sales OF
the society's books amounted TO only
SSH. but On 1895 after the war. the De.
mand had grown 20 much greater that
3tS,ij1 was realized. Travellers into
the remote interior have been aston,
ished to find these imported books
eagerly sought after and 20 meet Off
cials IN distant provinces who "can talk
glibly on new scientific discoveries" and
who are intimately acquainted with the
constitutional histories Of western ma
lions.
The movement now on foot. Mr. Doug
las thinks, has checked for the time be,
Ing the new advance Of civilization, but
not Tor ever When the uprising against
the foreigners has been put down. the
opportunity for the rcformers viii come.
In the whole movement towards better
things. which win undoubtedly be re-
sumed. the professor sees the hope OF
an ultimate regeneration Of China such
as Japan has wrought out for herself
There is much 90 learn of this brief bit
Of Chinese history II proves that
civilization, unless continually cared
for and fostered, VIII revert back to
barbaHsm Like a noble plant. 1t must
be continually cultivated. or It win 80
back 10 It's wild state Even the highest
civilization can get lost under the gov
eminent OF tyranny, and when once
started on its backward course no
power inherent IN man, or In civilization
itself, can reverse Il and start Il anew
In the opposite direction. Civilization
can come only as the result Of the la
bors Of outside agencies.
There is also this TO learn from China,
that her multitudes are capable Of rapid
progress under favorable circumstances.
In all probability they are as apt as
the japanese. And the Transformation
Of these is little short OF a miracle. What
win happen, If during the next century
western proficiency in the arts Of war
and peace Is impaired to the myriads
Of China? Let imagination draw IFS
own pictures as 10 that and they will
probably fail far short Of actual facts
Problems Of immense magnitude seem
20 be forming for the statesmen and
nations of the civilized world-problems
which probably can be solved by moth
ing but the application OF the princi-
pies Of the Gospel Of the Redeemer.