The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-06-27
CHINESE NEWSPAPERS.
Their Increasing Circulation n Appeal
to Patriotism.
From ne Century Maoa,tne.

From ne Century Magazine.
Five years ago q man seen reading a newspaper,
OF which very few were then published In the whole
empire, was ridlculed as a follower Of the foreign
devils. Almost the only paper published In the
capital WAS the Pekir Gazette, containing the de-
crees and doings Of the court.
Now the are ten daily papers publishe ed In Pekin,
among them one Of the few women's dailies in the
world. This paper Is interesting as being largely
edited by women, and dealing just now with such
topics as popular astronomy, geography, physica !
geography. the care of infants and the training
OF children. The general newspapers are read by
all classes, and are constantly Increasing their
circulation. They contain Reuters kilograms.
news Of the country and city, and articles of con
siderable len 9Th and acumen on live topics. Some
are pledged 70 the correction OF old established
customs, and the contents arc extremely Interesting,
worthy OF a sepa rate article.
BY way OF advertisement. or more likely be-
cause Of the zeal OF reformers who are responsible
for the newspapers. copies are posted on blank
walls and on boa ds set up for the purpose. so that
their contents may be perused by those who would
not buy. In addition a remarkable nlan 70 secure
the attention OF the masses has b.en followed.
In different places In city and suburbs have been
ntted up reading halls, with benches and tables,
where tea Is served free, and In the evenings capa-
BILE men are en- gagged to read and explain the papers.
These men are said 10 be volunteers, and the halls.
over twenty In number, are htted up and sup
ported by voluntary contributions.
There seems 70 be entire freedom OF the press.
no censorship being exercised. The papers are
decent sheets, with numerous advertisements
but as yet poorly printed, for the most part with
movable lead tyncs, which rapidly deteriorate,
making reading Oy a foreigner very dificult. even
OF those sheets which are published In current
Manchuria, the language OF the masses.
These newspapers keep before our attention one
OF the most remarkable movements the world has
ever seen. Each day Is published q long list OF
names OF persons. including women, who are sub
scribing to a fund for wlping out the Indemnity
which the empire Is paying for the Boxer uprising.
All classes are giving literally. In proportion to
their means. All kinds OF societies, Christian
churches. and even primary schools, have been
Offering the contributions OF their members Recently
was published a list OF blind story tellers. whose
living Is earned by going from house to house
with banjo. singing and telling romances. Where
will II end This wave OF patriotism has swept
over the country. Everywhere the same feeling
is shown. There Is no doubt that these gifts evil
dence possibilities in the Chinese nature OF which
the world has never dreamed. With our knowledge
OF the systematic economy OF the Chinese masses,
the selnshness. the sordid par simony OF individuals;
with our Ideas Of their lack OF public spirit, such
phenomena cannot be reconciled.