The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1906-07-27
Chinese Newspapers.
Century Magazine.

Chinese Newspapers.
Century Magazine.
Five years ago a man seen reading
IA newspaper, Of which very few were
then published in the whole empire,
was ridiculcd as follower Of the
foreign devils. Almost the only pa
per published in the capital was the
Pekin Gazette, containing the de-
crceS and doingS Of the Court.
Now there are ten daily papers pub
lished in Pckin, among them one OF
the few womcn'S s dailicS in the world.
This paper is interesting as being lar
gcly edited by women, and dealing
Just now with such topics as popular
astronomy, geography, physical geo.
graphy, the care of infants, and the
training of children. The general
newspapers are read by all classes,
and are constantly increasing their cir
culation. They contain Reuters tele-
gram, news of the country and city,
and articles of considerable length
and acumcn ON live topics. Some are
pledged to the correction of old-cstab-
lishcd customs. and the contents are
extremely interesting, worthy OF II
separate article.
Bv way OF advertisement, or moro
likely because OF The zeal of rcformcrs
who are responsible for The ncwspa-
pcrs, copies are posted nn blank walls
and ON boards So, up for tue purpose,
50 that their contents may be pcrtlsed
by those who would not buy. In ad-
dition, II remarkable plan to secure
the attention Of the masses has been
followed In different places III city
and suburbs have been fitted up read
inc halls, with benches and tables,
where tea is served free. and in the
evenings capable men are engaged to
read and explain the papers. These
men are said to be volunteers, and
the balls. over twenty in number, are
fitted up and supported by voluntary
cont ributions.
There seems To be entire freedom
Of the press. no censorship being eX-
rrriScd. The papers are decent sheets,
with numerous advertisements, but
as yet poorly printed, for the most
part with movable lead types, which
rapidly detcri"ratc. making reading
Il foreigner very difficult, even Of
those sheets which are published in
current Manrhu, 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 long list Of
names Of persons, including women,
>who are subscribing to a fund for wip-
ing out the indemnity which the enl-
pirc is paying for the Boxer uprising.
All classes are giving literally, in pro-
portion to their means. All kinds Of
societies, Christian churches, and even
primary schools, have been offering
the contributions of their members.
Recently was published list Of blind
story tellcrs, whose living is earned
by going from house to house with
banjo, singing and telling romances.
Where will it end? This wave Of
patriotism has swept over the coun-
try. Everywhere the same feeling is
shown There is no doubt that these
gifts evidence possibilities in the Chi
ncsc nature Of which the world has
never dreamed With our knowledge :
Of the systematic economy of the
Chinese masses, the sclfishness, the
Sordid parsimony of individuals; with
our ideas Of their lack Of public spirit, 1
such phenomena cannot be rcconciled.$ -