Arizona republican., 1906-09-17
The Planting of the Seeds of Western
 Civilization
Proposed Grating of Modern Education UDon the Ancient Tree COnfucian Learning--Tbe Shacl1les of Centuries Being Thrown Of.

decree relating to bound feet was har- ing no Influence. among the proVincfaI authorities, another decree has been Issued saying that in the future no men will be taken into the employ ment of the Chinese empire whose wives or daughters have their feet bound IL is uncertain when this Iates- order will go into effect. and whether It VIII be strictly enforced or not Nevertheless the fact that several vice roys are following in the footzteps or the imperial decree and that the au- thorities at Pekin are demanding Ilat the others comply with the imperial mandate. leads to the impression rhar this form of oriental harharSm may h. approaching it's end
 A more striking indication of tA- adoption of not only western civfliza- uon but of Christianity Is found in ths decree just issued by Chang Chih-tuu- ordering the New Testament 10 he introduced into all the schools Of the Hupeh and Human provinces over which he rules The decree states that the permanence and high quality of Chinese classics have been taught f1 China for over two thousand years The Viceroy admits however. that western nations have some bower which the Chinese do not possess He Is sure that this is not due to any superiority of the westerners over the Chinese, but to the fact that the west ern nations have in their uossessfu-. certain teachings which the Chfne=e have not yet mastered He thinks this superiority is due to the Bible. and Iu order to make the Chinese not oufy equal but superior 10 their western competitors. he orders the New Testa- ment taught, alongside the Confuciau classics. among the fifJy-eiEht million people over whom he rules
 Perhaps the most striking indication of the Chinese desire for western prog ress is found in the recent imperial de- cree attempting to establish the Chris tian Sabbath The decree makes 1he Sabbath day a legal holiday It fs noe probable that the decree win be largely followed throughout China. as indeed it is not probable that Chang Chfh- lungs decree in regard tO the New Testament will be largely observed These decrees. however. show the as- piratiOns of the Chinese for western civilization.
 Some American and English officials and indeed some of the missiouariss here are convinced that unless western influences are swiftly and strongly re- inforced the present movement may re- suit in a reaction which will iuderI- nitely delay the emergence Of the CAf- nese into modern civilization Indeed the recent radical decree putting tza native Chinamen in charge of the Esss. perial customs is likely Co lead Co sA= retirement of Sir Robert Hzrz. ta- ablest English official in ChiHz. sz=z to the demOralizatiOn of the euztoz-z service. only the hearty and speedy cooperation of western nations in tHe present struggles of the Chimes can prevent similar radical attempts at re- form by the natives followed by simi- lar reactions In a word China is to- day where Japan was thirty years aEo. and if Americans and foreigners re- spond to one of the greatest opportu- mites which ever confronted the wesrz ern nations and guide this gropiug er-- pire into modern liberty. modern edu- cation and modern inventions. 451. .ofo.- 900 human beings will emerge into western civilization within a genera tion.