New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-04-13
DR.. MARTIN ON CHINA
THE EX-PRESIDENT OF THE IMPERIAL
UNIVERSITY SAYS THE OUT
LOOK Is HOPEFUL

talk about nresent conditions in China was
given a Tribune reporter last evening oy the
Rev. DR.. ". A. P. Martin at he home of his son.
Newell Martin. the lawyer. in Audubon Park DR.
Martin arrived Thursday. He came on the
steamship Empress Of Japan to Vancouver. having
left Picking on March ;, ad thence via Montreal
DR. Martin went South China in 1S49. and eight
years later acted interpreter to the American
Minister ". B. Reed. in the negotiations for the
treaty with China in Tien-Tsin. In 1883 he went to
Picking with John E. Ward, the American Minis
ter exchange notifications. Since 1868 he has
made his home in Picking. and has been contnu-
ously in the service Of the Chinese Government for
more than forty years In that period he was pres
dent of the Imperial College or Diplomatic School
Four years ago he appointed president or the
new Imperial University the organization of which
was interrupted by the Boxer outbreak He was
president OF institution till two months ago 1t
has president
"On the occasion Of the Boxer outbreak, said
DR.. Martin, II Of those shut up in the
British Legation and subjected TO siege OF eight
weeks duration. During that time acted as an
inspector gates. returning Immediately after
the siege to recuperate. l went TO China again be-
cause the court expected to return 70 the
capital the siege the chancellor Of our new uni
versity was put death, and the institution sus-
pended operations until the return of the court
The new chancellor declined recognize his obIi-
cations to the old corps OF professors. and 1t was
with considerable difficulty that was able TO Cd
tain for them their back pay, which was due TOT
4 and half. IhlS was only ppldLIltu
by an order from the Chinese Foreign ONCE. with
which he complied very unwillingly, much so
that on paying up arrears he announced his tnten-
ton TO discharge the whole faculty To me ne
gave az his reason for doing that the university.
being the highest institution in the empire. would
have to walt for students 10 be prepared IN the
provinces and could not go at once into operation,
so that he did wish keep expensive faculty
without work to do
'.On arriving in Shanghai while coming home.
was waited on ny a deputy from the Governor OF
Shan-Si d northern province, who invited me 20 De
president Of a university to be opened in his
capital Tai-Yuen-Fu. which I promptly declined
AT Vancouver I found awaiting me telegram
from the great Viceroy. Chang ChlhtunS. ASKING
ne TO take charge Of university in the capital or
his two provinces In addition TO acting as Official
adviser in International questions. This invita-
ton have thought fit to accept. agreeing 70 re-
turn 10 China next August
What are the present conditions in Gilman Dr.
Martin asked.
The country in general" his reply. is in
a more tranquil condition than could have ex-
pected year ago. The return OF the court ap-
pears TO have given confidence to the people. ana
TO have satisfied the wishes OF foreign nations
The policy OF the government has also undergone
a great change. II was the progressive measures
OF the young Emperor which brought on the reac-
ton that led 10 the Boxer outbreak But now the
government has abandoned its reactionary policy
and has entered with apparent zeal on n career OF
progress the Empress DoWager leadlhg tle way
From her first accession to the supreme power she
showed progressive tendency and although for
a time she fell under the influence Of hostile re
action she appears have resumed, ex amino. her
earlier and more liberal inclinauons"
What is the outlook for China fLture?"
THE outlook is decidedly hopeful for the future
The whole country appears to be awake to the
necessity of educational reform Colleges and
graded schools are ordered be established IN all
the provinces and the printing presses of mis-
sionary societies are unable to supply scientific
books with sufficient rapidtty TO meet the dendlu
Of Chinese readers. Not only has the de1eat sus-
tanned by China ieepened the impression OF TINS
necessity for a new education, but the Chinese
Government has wisely changed the character OF
tie educational tests Instead of requiring as a
condition for appointment TO honors and ONCE the
cornnosition of sonnets II requires some
M egsTd the missionaries work having led
-be vay to this very intellectual awakening All
tries have contributed 10 II. ,[t3-so thev have
being the cause of the Boxer outbreak. they H"'
hui in no sense have they been its causes Two
German missionaries some years ago hati4 pe.e-
cefv Law hidden like a wild beast in its lair, were
killed by the Boxers. This led 10 the occIpatlon
excited by this movement. and encouraged by
government hostile to the Germans came OUT OF
Thefr hiding places and waged open war on foreign
ers and native Christians. advancing toward PeklnS
and putting forward claims to supernatural pow
Tatber NJ the heir apparent. who than any
other has right to be called the father or
what are the present relations of China with
I'm some respects the situation OF China with ref
erence TO other nations is much improved by re-
cent occurrences Foreign nations having up
verv large bill in the way OF war indemnity, are
DESTROYS of maintaining the status quo IN emma, so
Thev accordingly look with disfavor the move
rlent Of any particula country 10 provoke con-
dict any ground whatever