The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1902-02-27

for education superior to that OBJ
tainable in the past is growing
more manifest all over China aud
Is one of the best evidences of
an early awakening of the en-
pire. Formerly a knowledge of
the Confucian teachings, known
as the ''classics" to foreigners,
was considered sufficient for ev-
cry emergency or occupation in
life; but the practical business
man and even the lazy and cor
rupt official is becoming alive 70
the fact that moral precept will
not enable one either to run a
cotton mill or equip an army.
A knowledge of science. ma
chinery. the arts and languages,
is imperative to the maintenance
of the national existence. The
higher court officials are very
slow to appreciate this, but the
business class and the younger
officials seem eager to acquire
the methods that give superiority
at all points to their western
competitors. The attempt to kill
the first reform movement IN
1898 by the resumption of power
by the empress dowager did not
succeed. Now that the empress
is being compelled to advocate
reforms in order to placate the
powers enough to prevent their
reinstating the emperor, the peo-
pie are everywhere seizing the
opportunity to better themselves
even though for the most part
they claim the edicts SO far is
sued are lnsincere and dislngen-
uOus.
Curiously enough the greater
part of the population of China
has stronger dislike for the
japanese than for any other for
elgners. This is a large part due
to jealousy of their little neigh
bors' advancement as a power,
while they themselves have gone
backward, as we'll as to the Sc
we're defeat they recently suffered
at Japanese hands. Some among
the officials are alive to the fact
that they can learn much more
readily from a power that has. in
the not-far-distant past, been in
much their own predicament and
has come safely and with credit
through it, than from powers
with dissimilar language. Gus
toms and history. Among such
officials are Prince Ching and Ma
Tung. These two men have made
many enemies by openly advocat-
ing an alliance with Japan for
mutual good.
1t has taken three years, the
loss of many lives and much per-
sonal fright and loss, to say
nothing of an enormous indem-
nifty, to bring the dowager EN-.
press TO the same steps for the
interest of her people that the
young emperor on July II, 1898,
took when he issued his decree
ordering the establishment of col
leges and schools throughout
China for the joint study of Chi
nese and western literature and
sciences. His decree is a lasting
refutation to those who have &C.
cused him of weakness of mind
bordering on imbecility.
Even in Pekin the demand fol-
western learning has exceeded
the supply of teachers. The I'M
perial university's faculty was
among the besieged during the
famous siege, but one and all are
willing to resume teaching as
soon as the buildings can be re-
paired and a chancellor appointed
to pay their salaries, money fo1
which has all this time remained
in the Russo.C Chinese bank. Ow-
ing to the fact that Chancellor
Hsu Ching cheng was beheaded
by the empress for his pro-for-
eign tendencies there has been
no one to sign the checks and the
faculty has been obliged tempor.
arily to engage IN other employ
ment.
Tie need of educating high IF
ficiais who will not go to school