The Kendrick gazette. [volume] (Kendrick, Idaho) 1892-1968, 1906-09-21
CHINESE PROGRESS
LAS five YEARS RAs SEEN THEM
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

to Teach New governments ioedS
A competent authority on the far
east declares that the Chinese have
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 that 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 con-
stitution, as careless readers have III
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
identical decree which produced the
revolution.
A still more striking sign than this
paper decree Is found in the fact that
Yuan Shih Kai, the leading viceroy OF
the empire, has already established
more than 5000 primary and second
ary schools in the Chill province, In
order to prepare the young people OF
his province for the new government
courses. He is attempting to intro
duce western, learning, and, indeed, the
English language into these schools
as rapidly as possible. This creates
a. strong demand for American teach
ers, but the pay is too low to justif!
young people coming from the Unite'
States to accept these minor positions
In lieu of American and English teach
ers, the Japanese are being employs
to teach western learning, and in som
cases the English language.
An indication pointing to the grow
ing influence of Japan in China
found in the fact that 1900 of Chimes
students are now in Toxic striving
secure from the government lnstlt'
lions and private schools the wester
learning. The Young Mems Christia
association in Shanghai has seen tn
significance of this movement and M
sent two American and three OF OF
Young Chinese Christians to Tokio
keep in touch with this group
Chinese students.
Another sign of the times is the
crease of the postofices and the MI
IMPLICATION of newspapers, especial
along the eastern side of the empi1
It is at least significant that the on
newspaper on earth published by
woman and for women, is published
Pekin.
The Manchu court has always be
opposed to bound feet, and compal
lively few woman, who gain acce
to the court have submitted to II
early torture. A few months ago, he
ever, an imperial decree was issu
exhorting parents not to bind the II
of their daughters. On the daWat
empress being informed the other q
that the decree relating to bound f
was having no influence among
provincial authorities, another dec
has been issued saying that in the
ture no men will be taken into the I
ployment of the Chinese empire VIII
wives or daughters have their t
bound.
A more striking indication of
adoption of not only western civil
ton, but of Christianity, is found
the decree just issued by Chang c
Tung, ordering the New Testament
he introduced into all the schools
the Hupeh and Human provinces, c
which he rules. The decree sti
that the permanence and high qua
of Chinese civilization is due to
fact that the Confucian classes b
been taught in China for over
years. The viceroy admits, howe
that western nations have some pc
which the Chinese do not possess.
Theatrical Notes.