Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-09-08
PROGRESS IN CHINA
WESTERN ENTERPRISE STIRRING
IN THE EAST.
Rapid Growth Of Modern Democratic
Ideas-Celestial Ladies Seek
Emancipation.

to the attitude of "Y Dung China Tor the
reform party toward the established form
of government its influence on current
events and the real sentiments Of the rulers
of the country toward the would-be re-
formers So many complicated factors are
met with in considering these questions. SO
rapid and frequent are the changes Of opin-
ion and policy on both sides. that definite
conclusions are rarely justified. Most for
eigners in China regard the reform party
merely as somewhat ludicrous and polit-
ically insignificant manifestation of the
eternal strife between the ''Have Nots' and
the "Haves;;" they see it's typical represen-
tative in the somewhat unprepossessing
product of missionary educational estab-
lishments, filling humble clerkships In their
service pending the regeneration OF the
celestial empire, and they scorn the sug-
gestion that any good thing can come from
such material.
Nevertheless there is more in Young
China" than the Babu clerk and the mis-
sionary school student, and even t..ese pos
SeSs and exercise throughout the country
influence which is generally unapprectated
by those who see In them office drudges
and nothing more; for which reason certain
recent manifestations Of the existence OF
the reform party and of its patriotic senti-
d
I allude particularly to the public meetings
lately organized and held by natives at
Shanghai to discuss the position Of affairs
in the kuang provinces and In Manchuria.
That the Chinese, of their own initiative,
should convene public meetings to discuss
political questions is an indication of n
trend of thought which marks a new de-
parture That 1t Is unweicome to the pow
ers that be has since been shown in the ac
ton taken by the government at Picking,
If4I,
prominent Chinese concerned, and by the
efforts made in the official native organ to
disparage the value of the opinions ,x-
pressed.
The Progressive Party.
One of the chief difficulties in considering
the anatomy of the progressive party in
China is to decide where 1t begins and
where 1t ends. The dividing line between
ordinary mandarin Of the conserva tive
school and the reformer is often almost
imperceptible-their views appear to be fire.
Quently interchangeable, and there is moth
ing remarkable In the spectacle of the pro-
gressive of today figuring as the reac-
tionary of tomorrow, and vice versa. 1t is
by no means unusual, moreover, for the
highest officials, with whom the existing
order of things is supposed to be sacred
to send their sons and daughters to become
leaders of the young China" movement
might be multiplied Indefinitely. l need
only refer to the recent case of the suite of
Sir Chen-tung LANG. X. c. NJ. G., minister
to Washington. which included not only
sons of the viceroy Chang Chih-tung and
Governor Tuan-fang, but nephew of the
notorious eunuch Ii, all of whom are now
students, at their own expense, in the
United States.
Chang Chih-tung's attitude toward the
reform party has been peculiarly difficult
to define. Before the coup detat of 1898
he was strong supporter of the progress
i've press of Shanghai, and gave orders
that the journal, then edited by Liam Chi
tsao now refugee in Japan should be
subscribed for by all the yamens of HUI
nan. His essay on education 1S9S) is all
for tolerance and the adoption of new
ideas After the flight of Kang Yu-wei
however, he appeared to modify or at
least ceased to Insist upon. many of the
views expressed In that famous publication
Doubtless, In his case, as in that of many
prominent officials. the storm and stress
of that period which witnessed the execu-
tlon or the principal reformers at Pekin,
the practical deposition of the emperor
and the complete triumph of the reaction
airy party were sufficient to induce a eau
tous retlcence that subsequent events have
done nothing to modify. The future biog-
rapher of such men as Chang Chi Tung and
Yuan Shin kai will have no easy task in
recording definitely their attitude toward
reform, probably the best definition would
be series of compromises made with good
Intentions, between hopelessiy irreconcil-
able interests. Their instincts are how
ever, undoubtedly progressive, and 1t re-
mains d fact of good augury for China that
men known to be honestly opposed to the
conservative policy of the Manchus men
like Chang Chi Tung, Sir Chen Tung LANG
and Isen, the present Vceroy at Canton
can, and do. rise to positions of great in
fuence.
Reform Education.
I'm LA a Of
ucation at Picking and in the provinces are
not cheerful Universities colleges and
schools abound 1t is true. but being under
official management they resemble the Chi
nese army, in that their existence is largely
matter of Imagination. Those sanguine
students who. relying on the progressive
edictS of the year of penitence 1901 have
devoted themselves to western learning"
in the hope of finding therein advancement
are now realizing the error of their WAYS
A most of the recent provincial examina-
tons it has been made clear that he who
adheres to the old order of things he who
best commits to memory the sacred books
and classics, will continue 10 find favor and
promotion. The native press, however, en-
JoyinS at Shanghai and Tien- tSin compare
tive freedom from official control is slowly
but surely making headway not only in its
own development, but in the diffusion of
liberal views over Notwithstanding area
To the diffusion of these views expound
ed by some of the ablest riters in China
the growth and enthusiasm of Young
China" is much due as to Japanese in
f1uences. and 1T is therefore not surprising
that the attention of the central govern
ment has more than once been drawn to
the matter by conservative officials like Lu
Chuan-lin and Lu Hai-huan. Here again,
we find the political house divided, some of
the highest provincial authorities encourage
ing such papers as the Universal Gazette
and the Diplomatic Review and openly be-
friending their editors For instance Yuan
Shih kai has recently ordered the circula-
ton throughout Chill of the latter paper
edited by an eX-secretary of Sheng's va
men, while Wang Kang-nien editor of the
Universal Gazette, was recommended last
year for special recognition of the throne
by the late vtceroy of Marking, Liu Kun
VI Even LANG Chi-tsao, feIlow-refugee
with kang Yu-wei in 1888 who now writes
brilliantly on Chinese affairs from Japan
has many admirers and friends In the va
mems of his country; his influence as a
leader of opinion is undeniable.
Romance in Art.