New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-01-10

at once brought across the country to New-Eng-
land. which Yung Wing had selected suitable
place TO bring up his charges In American ways
OF living and in American education. and the head
quarters Of the group were established in Hartford
In order to give the Chinese students a chance to
learn tic language here before entering the col
leges the thirty students distributed about
Connecticut and Southern Massachusetts. going in
pairs to the homes OF well 20 DO persons in several
cities and towns IN that region, their expenses
being paid regularly by the Chinese government.
The reception 10 the students was so cordial among
these families and the public interest in them here
was so great, and was expressed in many ways.
that Prince kuuG was greatly satisfied. He wrote
personal note OF thanks TO Mr.. Low, who rep
resented the United States at Picking. and who
had furthered the scheme OF sending the boys 10
this country. The original number of thirty stu
dents was increased account Of this about
one hundred ard twenty though these students
supported themselves while here. the original idea
OF the Chinese government Of sending one hundred
end fifty boys being dropped because OF lack OF
funds
The Chinese boys proved themselves in almost
every case TO be exceptionally bright and capable
and they were extremely popular in the cities
where they were housed. One OF them later married
q young woman In 9 Wcll-to-do -Eneland fam
ny. As the Chinese students were suf1-
GENTLY familiar with the English language they
entered the schools, and then went TO several Of
the colleges and scientific schools especially to
Yale They bright that IN almost every
in their classes. being eXcelled only by highest
stand native American boys. whose acquaintance
with the language naturally gave them distinct
advantage
The success Of this initial experiment in educat-
ing young Chinese scholars in this country was
brought 10 untimely end few years later by
the removal OF YunS Wing from the commissioner
ship at Hartford over the boys and his appoint
ment 10 the Chinese Legation at Washirgton
His place was taken by a Chinese official named
WI Tsz'tang at Hartford. This Official knew moth
ing OF English and not at all disposed 70 view
with pleasure the increased mental efficiency OF
the thirty young Chinese under his charge In
1881, under his suggestion. the Chinese Minister at
Washington, Chin Lan-pn, sent a memorial to
China which complained OF the kind Of studies the
young Chinese were taking at Yale and other col
leges where they were distributed. This memorial
set forth that the young Chinese who +vvere being
educated by the home government were learning
q lot OF useless knowledge. especially Greek and
Latin and other unnecessary subjects. It also
spoke OF the 'disrespectful behavior OF the boys
when they met their Chiefs Of their growing lack
OF patriotism. Of their forgetting their mother
tongue In learning the strange jargon Of the
Americans. and Of various other offences which
seemed monumental the straightlaced Chi.
nese OF the elder generation. The particular lead
ers OF tho Chinese home government seem to have
Jumped greedily at this suggestion that the enter
prise be abandoned. and the commission and stu
dents were surnrnarily ordered home by return
mail They ieft America and arrived In Shanghai
In the fall of the same year.