The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1903-05-20
CHINk'S AWAKENING.
Aims ofReform Association Dis
cussed by It's Leader.
RETHRoEIEG EMPEROR THE CHIEF

position.
Professor Leong Kai Cheu, founder
and vice president Of the Chinese En-
pire Reform association, ex-teacher in
the palace Of the emperor Of China
and second 10 Kang Yu Wei the lead
er Of the Chinese national reform
movement, which despite the unre-
lenting opposition OF the empress dow
ager is spreading all over the empire
arrived in New York the other even
ing, having come from Japan by way
of Canada, says the New York Times.
This is the first visit to America of
Leong Kai Cheu, who is regarded as
the most powerful man in Chinese ed
ucation aud politics today. He found
ed the Chinese Empire Reform assoc
citation In 1897, and now its member
ship far exceeds 100000 with
branches covering every part Of the
world where Cinnamon reside. There
are only two parties in China, that Of
the empress dowager and the Reform
association. The former is still the
stronger, but its power is on the wane,
while the reform association is grow
ing every day.
Professor Leong's visit to the United
States is for the purpose Of stirring
up enthusiasm among the various
branch organizations Of the associa-
ton which exist in almost every large
city in the country The head Of this
movement is only thirty years old and
has boylsh face. he dresses like an
American and looks like an Ameri-
canized Chlnaman, although be does
not speak English.
+ Professor Leong was perfectly frank
in discussing the aims Of his reform
organization.
"While have not been in China Of
fcially in some years" said he, Il have
been there a good many times under
assumed names and in disguise and
am thoroughly alive to the events as
they shape themselves in the empire.
All the world Is by this time acquaint-
ed with the aims Of the Chinese re-
formers. OF course our principal aim
IS the reinforcement of the emperor, for
without his aid we can accomplish
nothing in the way Of reform.
''The empress dowager is hopelessly
| set against any movement whatsoever
that win tend in The slightest degree to
i get away from the customs Of ancient
China All her protestations and all
her promises are absolutely insincere,
and we who know her best have not
tile least idea OF accomplishing any
thing through her.
.The emperor, while he is Mantchoo
and a man Of no very conspicuous abil-
ity, nevertheless is imbued with the
idea that the empire to progress must
get in line with the other nations of
the earth and abandon many useless
and handicapping customs. lie has
got all Of his ideas of western ciyiliZa-
ton from japanese, English and Amer
lean sources, and 1T t. these three peo-
pies that he would take for his models
In fashioning a new regime.
ssThe party Of the dowager empress
or. rather, the following Of the empress
dowager, IS still all powerful in the
empire. but its strength is rapidly wan
fng, and even before her death the
overthrow of her power may be
! brought about. Her death. however, is
sure to see the beginning Of the new
/, era in China, for we are ready TO make
ourselves felt in the government. II
: would surprise you to know the num-
I Der Of men who are connected directly
! with the Picking government who are
members of the reform party. Our next
aim Is the framing Of a constitution
and the establishment Of house Of
parliament similar in general respects
!. TO that of England, where our sons
|. may take hand in the government
i The third aim is thorough reform ii
: the matter of education. China e
n keep pace with the other nations Of the
' earth must establish a system Of edu
r cation on modern lines.
ssThe Chinese reformers do not wisl
the empire to break away from all o.
It's old traditions. No country can giyi
i up all Of its traditions and gain by It
S What we want is simply the addition
q of certain essential principles Of west
d ern civilization into our national life
The emperor realizes this, and thes'
Y schemes, begun already and interrupt
ed. will be resumed, and that very soon
| might add here that the nations t
feel the first effects Of beneficial re
form in China VIII be the Unite'
States, England and Japan. The Chi
nese have obtained their first and onl,
impressions of foreign civilization
from these three countries and vii
mold their new national life from
composite idea gained from the three
GAS to the Boxers and the Boxe
movement, the Boxer organization
still exist, but their influence is reat
tionary and will never make itself S
riously felt again. for the whole couf
try is rapidly becoming imbued wit
the idea Of reform"
AS to China's attitude toward Rus
STA and the latters occupation Of Maj
churia, Professor Leong said tbs
there was little doubt IN China tha
Russia Intended under the very trs
pretext to seize the territory for pc
manent occupation. The idea held !
some quarters that secret unde
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