Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1901-03-21
MR.. wU,s DEFENCE OF CHINA.

Mr.. WU'S DEFENCE OF CHINA.
Wa Ting Fang, Chinese minister to
the United States, delivered the convo-
cation address of the University OF CHI
csgo at the Studebaker Theatre. at Chi
csgo, Tuesday afternoon, before the
faculty of the institution and an audit
ence that packed the theatre to the
doors. Mr. Wa took for bis supleot
"Chinese CiviIiz ltion." His defence OF
the civilization OF his native country 10
bis comparisons with that OF toe CIVIL
cation OF the Occident was much ap-
plauded. He said in part: =,
"There has lately been Q great zeal
of newspaper talk about civillzing Chi
ma. give credit to those people VINO
advocate such course for their good
intention, but its desirsbility, to say
nothing OF its difficulty, should not be
overlooked. China has already q CIVIL
izstion of her own. 1t ia the growth OF
time. Long before the ancestors OF the
people of the west ceased to be naked
savsges and emerged from the prime
val forests OF central Europe the Cnl-
nese had already known the use OF the
compass and the art OF painting. Now
for the people of the west to turn
around and then ask the Chinese to put
away their old civilization is rather
novel.
The people of the West may know
more than the Chinese about the built-
iug OF railroads, the floating OF foreign
loans, the combination of capital, the de-
velopment Of resources and the like. All
this Ia granted. But the Chinese nat
urally feel that they are In better po-
sition to Judge what is best for their
own interest and welfare than any out.
slider can be. Therefore, any attempt
to impose upon them any reform or re-
ligion they do not feel the need OF is
apt to create trouble. The use Of force
is especially to be deprecated. as this
serves only to infame their passions
and rouse their resentment and oppo-
sition. But, on the other hand, much
can be accomplished by exercising tact
aud discretion, and. above all, by CIV
ing due consideration to their senti-
ments and prejudices.
II the people Of the West would study
the civilization OF China, instead oil
trying to pull 1t down, they would save
themselves q great deal OF trouble,
They will find that the Chinese are not
addicted to "ways that are dark aid
tricks that are vain" as they are repre-
sented to be by an American poet. They
will find that China, old as she lie, still
exhibits all the strength and vigor Of
full maturity. They will find that the
civilization that has stood the test Of
forty centuries 10 far from being efete
Trey will fiud that the proper course
to be pursued 10 putting China on the
road to prosperity aud happiness is not
to shake the foundations of her social
aud political fabric, but TO allow her ia
incorporate such elements of western
civilization as she can assimilate.
ION the other hand, China must
keep up with the times 10 the onward
march OF progress. To this end it il
necessary for her to take Lessons from
the western world. But she need moi
be a servile imitator. Her require
ments are peculiar to her position
among nations and to the growth Of hei
national life. By adopting from the
west only what is beat for her welfare
and avoiding everything that ia mol
suited to the condition and needs o.
her people, she will transfer herself In
| to q modern nation without losny those
elements OF national character which
have made her. great and strong 10 thu
mat