Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-09-17
GREAT PROGRESS IN CHINA
Signs Everywhere Apparent Of the Awak-
ewing of the Dormant Orient,
D0WAGER EMPRESS TAKING THE LEAD
Recent Imperial Edicts and Orders of
the Great viceroys Indicate the
Growth of western Thought
in the Empire.
DowAeER EMPRESS TAKING THE LEAD

SHANGHAI, China, Aug. A. GORE
spondence of the Associated Press.)-
competent authority on the far east de-
clares that the Chinese have made more
progress during the last five years than
any other nation on earth, not excepting
Japan He admits that China has not
made such advance in iron and coal pro-
duction as has the United States, but he
contends that China has made a wider
and more profound change in its whole
attitude toward western civilization than
has any other nation.
The latest proof that China's face is set
toward progress is found in the imperial
decree issued last SUNDAY promising a
change Of laws. Vile this decree does
NOT promise a constitution, as careless
readers have Inferred, nevertheless 1t
points in that direction.
A more vital indication Of progress is
found in the recent imperial decree making
some mastery. Of western learning a con-
dition OF future employment in the govern
ment service. This decree does not AFFECT
existing oficeholders and does not apply
to candidates for office who have already
completed the prescribed course of Confu-
! clan learning and have received the first
and second degrees. But the significance
prescribes the Identical condition for fu-
ture candidates for ONCE. which the young
emperor prescribed eight years ago and
which LED to the Boxer uprising. 1t is
significant that the dowager empress, who
then retired the young emperor for his
radicalism, now issues in his name the
Identical decree which produced the revo-
luton.
Establishing Modern schools.
A still more striking sign than this paper
decree is found in the fact that Yuan shih
Kali the leading viceroy of the empire.
has already established more than 5000
primary and secondary schools in the
Chill province in order to prepare the
young people Of his province for the new
| government courses. He Is attempting to
introduce western learning and indeed the
English language into these schools as
rapidly as possible. This creates a strong
| demand for American teachers but the
pay Is too low to Justify young people COM
| Ing from the United States to accept these
minor positions. In lieu of American and
English teachers the Japanese are being
employed to teach western learning, and
| in some cases the English language. The
| 'pidgin" English, which is taught by some
| OF the Chinese scholars. would indeed be
laughable were It not for the fact that
the Introduction OF the English language
may possibly become general and II go.
may carry with 1t the Introduction Of west
ern civilization. As Alexander's adoption
OF the Greek language enabled that con-
quered nation to transform the civilization
of western Asia; as the adoption of Roman
law and the Latin language by the North
men carried with II Latin Christianity
throughout Europe, so the prevalence OF
English speech in China, during the mex,
few years. will carry with It. western sci
| ences and western civilization.