Evening star., 1907-05-26
c CHINESE REVERENCE
Some of the Odd Superstitions
of the CeIestiaIs. -
CHARACTERISTIC TRAITS
Startling Proposal by an Official Of
High Standing.
STRANGE MOVEMENT IN KOREA
Members Of Anti-Japanese Party to
Try to Collect Sum to Pay
OF Japan's Debt. &
STRANGE MOVEMENT IN KOREA
Special Cablegram to The Star.

PEKING, May 25-To what extraordi-
nary lengths superstition may go is IL
Illustrated by an official ceremony that took
place at Fatshan, near Canton, on the
10Th Of the first month of the Chinese year,
following an annual custom. 1t is well
known that the Chinese are very careful
about the paper whicE contains written or
printed characters, and every care is taken
that 1t is not trampled on by the foot of
man, but this particular ceremony indicates
that the reverence for writing is even
carried so far as to take note OF the
ashes. On the day mentioned certain rep
resentative officials of the public institu-
tions gathered, and into their custody were
handed over all the ashes OF the written
paper which had been burned during the
year. The heads of the local institutions
hired boat and took a trip down the
river with the tide some distance beyond
Whampoa. There the ashes were thrown
into the river and consigned TO the spirits
present and a general festival was kept up
while the ceremony was being performed.
Although reverence for the aged and
compassion for the INDECENT have always
been characteristic traits of the Chinese, q
system of organized support for the poor
is something of an innovation. and the
proposed establishment of a workhouse at
Canton Is a noteworthy instance of the as
need for such institution has been
recognized by a high official in Canton. and
II his proposals are adopted INDECENT, able
bodied men will be housed and taught a
trade, while the feeble and the unfit will
be cared for in the same institution.
Memorialized the Throne.
A proposal quite startling in its progress
siveness has just been made by Chinese
oficial>ef high standing. He has memorial
frol tha
communications be instructed to permit it.
and, in fact, to order the provincial authori-
ties to build branch roads connecting all,
business centers of any Importance. The
memorialist suggests that the necessary
funds be raised in the districts from the
local gentry and merchants, and that the
omcials, too, should subscribe for the
shares. The suggestion is stated to have
been favorably received and the board has
been ordered to consider it and report. Tho
matter Is not very likely to be heard of
again, for its adoption would mean a COM
mercial revolution in China.
Members of the anti-Japanese party In
Korea have set on foot a remarkable move
ment. The idea is to collect enough money
In the form of private subscriptions to pay
on the debt of 35,O00,000 yen 917 500 COO
what Is to be gained by this step, whatever
be the point of view, Is not quite clear, for
the money was lent for the purpose of in
ifiating progressive works, and Japan is
through. whoever pays the bill. She would
no doubt be all the better pleased IL she
were relieved of the necessity of finding the
money herself.
Bomb for Prime Minister.
A bomb recently arrived at the house of
the Korean prime minister neatly packed in
little ivory box. The parcel, inclosed in a
paper wrapping with superscription to the
effect that there was a letter inside, was
handed to the policeman guarding the
house, and evidently the presumption was
tnat the prime minister would himself open
the box. H
With this idea the mechanism was so ar
ranged that the act of tearing the paper
lining would explode the bomb in which
was buried quantity of iron fragments
But the box was too carefully prepared to
escape suspicion, and the minister, PAX
emerson handed 1t over to a servant, who
contrfved to open, it without causing any
explosion. 1t is believed that the outrage
was planned by the anti-Japanese party,
Pah Cheh-son having been minister of for
was concluded. Though the plot failed of
Its immediate object the conspirators gain
ed what probably was to them almost as
good. for PAX Cheh-son is reported to have
rendered his resignation on the ground that
his nerves had been shaken.
The Chinese)authorities in Manchuria are
said to be endeavoring to establish a title
to exercise Jurisdiction over Korean SUBJ
jects in Mukden on the ground that treaties
do not secure to Korea any privilege of
consular tribunals. The Japanese are reso-
lutely opposing any such contention and
they have gained decided point by ar
raigning Korean subject before their own
consul in the city on a charge of gambling
and sentencing him to a years imprIson-
ment. This is the first time that Koreans
have been dealt with under the Japanese
law, and the incident would appear to show
that Korea has definitely recognized her
powerful neighbors right to exercise juris-
dictiQp over Korean subjects abroad. Such
a right almost follows from Korea's sur
render to japan of the charge of her for
eign relations.