Troy weekly news. (Troy, Idaho) 1897-1933, 1906-09-21
LAS FIVE YEARS has SEEN THEN
MAKE GREAT ADVANCEMENT.
Has Made Profound Change for the
Better Toward Western civiliza-
tIon-New Laws Put in Force
Thousands Of Schools Established
to Teach New Government Ideas

made more progress during the last
five years than any other nation on
earth, not excepting Japan. He ad-
mits that China has not made such
advance in iron and coal production as
has the United States, but he contends
that China has made wider and more
profound change in her whole attitude
toward western civilization than has
any other nation.
The latest proof thai China's face
is set toward progress is found in the
imperial decree issued last Sunday
promising a change of laws. While
this decree does not promise a con-
stitution, as careless readers have in
ferred nevertheless it points in that
direction.
| A more vital indication of progress
is found in the recent imperial de-
cree making some mastery of western
learning a condition of future employ
ment in the government service. This
decree does not affect existing Office
holders, and does not apply to candi-
dates for Office who have already Con
fucian learning and have received the
first and second degrees. But the sig
nificance of the decree is found in the
fact that it prescribes the identical
, condition for future candidates for
office which the young emperor pre-
scribed 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 rad
: icalism, now issues in his name the
D identical decree which produced tho
r revolution.
A still more striking sign than this
: paper decree is found in the fact that
: Yuan Shih Kai, the leading viceroy OF
n the empire, has already established
o more than 5000 primary and second
II airy schools in the Chill province, in
order to prepare the young people OF
i his province for the new government
courses. He is attempting to intro
Il duce western learning, and, indeed, the
English language into these schools
G. as rapidly as possible. This creates
q. a strong demand for American teach
N ers, but the pay is too low to justify
young people coming from the United
10 States to accept these minor positions.
IN In lieu of American and English teach
at ers, the Japanese are being employed
n to teach western learning, and in some
d. cases the English language.
X An indication pointing to the grow
ing influence of Japan in China is
IN found in the fact that IL 900 of Chinese
I'd students are now in Toxic striving To
Ike secure from the government institu-
in lions and private schools the western
Ip. learning. The Young Mems Christian
er' association in Shanghai has seen the
IN significance of this movement and has
Iii' sent two American and three of ouI
as young Chinese Christians to Toxic &c
E. keep in touch with this group Of
IN Chinese students.
40 Another sign of the times is the in
80 crease of the postoffices and the mui
~ tiplication of newspapers, especially
-, along the eastern side of the empire
~, 1t is at least significant that the onll
&c newspaper on earth published by I
woman and for women, is published IL
he Pelxin
ass The Manchu court has always beer
on. opposed to bound feet, and compare
a lively few woman, who gain acces
for to the court have submitted to thi
early torture. A few months ago, how
ever, an imperial decree was issue'
nty exhorting parents not to bind the fee
an of their daughters. On the dawage
empress being informed the other da
be- that the decree relating to bound fee
bia was having no influence among III
po- provincial authorities, another deere
try has been issued saying that in the fl
ECU ture no men will be taken into the en-
on ployment of the Chinese empire who's
wives or daughters have their fee
80 bound.
A more striking indication of I'll
ale adoption of not only western civilizi
nto ton, but of Christianity, is found
lev the decree just issued by Chang Chi
ron. Tung, ordering the New Testament
eek be introduced into all the schools {
the Hupeh and Human provinces, owe
sed which he rules. The decree state
,on- that the permanence and high qualii
the of Chinese civilization is due to n
be fact that the Confucian classes haN
been taught in China for over 20t
the years. The viceroy admits, howeve
Il a that western nations have some pow
par which the Chinese do not possess.
} o.