Evening star., 1901-10-29
FEELINGS OF THE CHINESE
SENTIMENTS EXPRESSED BY THE
OFFICIAL PAPER AT pEKIN.
Demand for the Removal OF Abuses I'm
Abolition of Extravaganza.

The State Department has received from
Minister Conger. at Pekin, a translation of
a series of preliminary regulations adopted
by the recently organized Chinese board of
national administration, charged with the
reorganization of that government on more
modern and efficient lines. The sentiments
expressed are conservative. says MIR. Con-
ger, but no doubt wisely so. under the cir
cumstances, and it is made plain shat there
is intention to initiate the too brisk
pace set by the reformers of 1898. but in
stead to study western methods, and with
out adopting western civilization as a
| whole, to adapt to Chinese conditions such
institutions as seem likely to add strength
to the state.
The translation is from the Sin-wen Hui
Pao, an off cial Pekin Journal and is cnar-
acterized by many expressions in extrava-
CANT metaphor which are distinctively
Chinese. For instance:
China, with it's more than 10000 ii of
territory, has existed through more than
two thousand years and has never known
heretofore what sort Of thing western
learning was. In the south and east GER
tain provinces have begun the adoption of
western customs, and say there is nothing
to fear or suspect in western methods But
the people of the north and west are SIM
pie in their habits: their eyes and ears
ruptly order them to change their manners
Is no wiser than the sounding of cymbal
for deaf man to hear or the endeavor TO
peel a water nut with a lotus STEM In re-
forming the customs, therefore, it is de-
cidedly difficult to make plan of uni
versal adaptability which may be pat in
operation among all the people of the whole
empire. The plan must be adjusted to the
! character of the locality and developed ac-
cording to the circumstances and prosperity
of the people. Moreover, in adopting west
ern methods, we must remember that there
are differences in western forms OF govern
ment and in western industries. If we de-
sire to obtain the material benefits of their
civilization, we must first learn their
hearts. The hearts of western men are IN
terested in the public welfare, while those
of the Chinese, for the most part, are de-
voted to selfish concerns. Western litera-
ture is terse; Chinese literature Is too elab-
crate The things of the west are genuine;
those of the Chinese, for the most part, are
shams The speech of western men is re-
liable; that of the Chinese largely false.
Thus, naturally, the two races are very uil-
like, and in endeavoring to adopt their
civilization, we get no more than the out
side. Though ten thousand men should Join
together in the effort and labor through a
hundred years, it would be very difficult to
complete the transformation"
And again:
'rThe thousand and ten thousand matters
connected with government may all De
summed up in this one phrase: Promote
prosperity and remove abuses. Prosperity
ought to be promoted; that it is not pro-
NOTED is due to the fact that at the intro
duction Of any unusual method the black
haired race is frightened, because they like
the accustomed and with difficulty recon-
cile themselves to the new. Abuses ought
to be removed; that they are-not removed
is because those who practice them find in
them refuge depend upon them for food
and clothing, and if one of their number be
removed from office all make trouble.
Now, having received an imperial edict
m a nh In ne n Hp9 wit hes fflrS
we ought first of all to get rid of the abuses
of shilly -shallying and holding back for fear
of giving offense. In discharging these du-
ties only when legislation is not rash can it
be carried out. Not only will those who go
contrary and make trouble be punished ac-
cording to the statute for the punishment
Of disohedience to an imperial edict, but
those who, in carrying out such edicts are
not energetic will be punished according to
the stutute concerning corruption In office.
Before undertaking these duties at all the
first thing necessary is to manifest reSolu-
ton like an upright pillar; then may one
accomplish the splitting of the bamboo
that is the difficult task The Book of His
tory says, Hold fast the golden mean;' and
again, Only with decision Of character can
there be completion of a work. These
words sum up the case"
In a plea for more stringent economy in
expenditures it is stated:
PAY for soldiers, Official salaries and
other expenditures are all the very flesh and
blood of the people of the empire. This con-
sumption of the flesh and blood of the people
in extravaganza is the pressing calamity of
our time These useless expenditures con-
tinue as heretofore, and if any further de-
mands be made it will be like crushing the
bones to get the marrow in order to fulfill
the demands of foreigners. Not only would
the hearts of the people be embittered, but
the court itself cannot bear to adopt such a
method. The proper plan is to cut off en-
tirely all useless expenditure in order to
pay the indemnities and loans; and if this
should prove insufficient, then afterward
further demands may be made from the
people"