The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1906-05-03
STIRRING THE APATHY OF ASIA,

The remark is now being heard,
says the Literary Digest. that the
Tennysonian maxim about the super
iority of fifty European years to a
cycle of Cathay has been amply re-
futed. if not reversed, by recent events
in the far east. Japan in fifty years
has acquired the most valuable fruits
of advancement produced by ten CEN
turtles of European evolution, and now
the infection of progress is spreading
to China. The example of Nippon, &C.
cording to a writer in Minerva
Rome). has excited the emulation of
her yellow-skinned and slant-eyed
neighbor. She is no longer content
to be considered a carcass for the
Occidentals to cut up and partition
among themselves. and the Mongol is
at length reused to confront and
measure himself with the white eau
casian. AS the Minerva observes:
"ln every region of the vast Chinese
empire ii new spirit is being mani
tested, and this is doubtless direct
result Of the recent Russo Japanese
war. The triumph of Japan over a
western nation, by employing the
weapons of the west. and by means of
western training and education, has
set China thinking, and given greater
impetus to the agitation of the re-
formist party. Those who short
time ago were opposed to the ipnova-
tons of western civilization, because
they feared this would bring them
under the domination of the west, have
seen Japan occidentalized, yet retain
ing her national individuality and in
dependence. and now range themselves
on the side of the reformers, while
they look with distrust upon the for
eigners who invade their shores. The
reformers, on their part, seeing the
spirit of innovation diffusing itself
among their former adversaries, glad
ly make common" cause with these
against the occidentals. They think
that now they have no further need
of the west. and feel themselves able
to accomplish without western dicta-
ton the reforms essential to national
progress"
This awakening of new national life
in China is one of the strongest and
most important movements that have
ever stirred the apathy of Asia. The
consequences are being felt through
out the world. but while China is
looking with jealousy apd suspicion
on the western people who throng her
ports, and seems inclined to repel
them. in all probability further en-
lightenment will teach the east that
her advancement will be best promoted
by commerce and intercourse with the
west. Thus:
"At the present moment China is
stirred by an impulse to take matters
into her own hands, and regards the
foreigner as hateful and sacrilegious
interloper, who is to be driven off like
some savage and offensive beast.
China thinks she has sized up the for
eigner, learned all that is to be learn
ed from him, pumped him dry, as it
were, and all she has now to do is to
show him the door. Doubtless she is
quite mistaken on this point, and
eventually the most cultivated and
prominent among the people of the
flowery kingdom will recognize more
clearly their true interests, and will
seek by loyal and sincere cooper
alton with the west the promotion in
their country 6 genuine and desir-
able prosperity. Undoubtedly China.
at present, has need of the occident in
the accomplishment of this task"