Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-02-03


J, When the occidental world awaited with
anxious soltcitude the announced awaken
ing of China" her reforma-
REFORM ton and transformation. 1t
3 Setback. learned with satisfaction and
encouragement of the edicts
from the throne that abolished the classical
system OF examinations and at the same
time elevated the military profession to
the rank Of q respectable calling. These
noteworthy results Indicated the complete
success Of the reform party. led by the
notable Gen. -Shie-Kwai, viceroy OF
Pechili. Recent news, however, portends
the setback Of reform indicated by the
proclamation Of the election Of Confucius
to the dignity OF saint of the f1rst class
and at the same time that Gen. Yuan-Shie-
Kwai had been shorn Of his power and
relegated to the command OF distant ant
latest journals from Shanghai and Hong,
kong, has turned her back upon reform ana
adopted reaction.
It Is one Of the surprises to which one is
subjected In things Chinese-even to those
who flatter themselves as Chinese scholars
to discover that Confucius, until now,
did not hold in the sacred hierarchy the
first rank. but was second to the ancient
sovereigns, who are clothed with special
celestial giory-that. Is, to the plane OF
heaven and earth. the mystic union OF
which forms q single soul In the sovereign
seigneur, the great god OF the Cninese
religion.
Confucius. or Koung Fou-Tseu. was born
In the province Of Lou, 551, B. c. The sa-
lient feature of the philosophy OF Con-
fucius, as shown In his works (the Ta-hfo-
grand study; the Tchoung-Young-.dxity
in space, and the Lun-Yu-moral dfa-
logues), Is It's practical good sense ana
utility and great love of humanity: the
whole system reposes upon the reciprocal
duties of men in the relations between
prince and subjects, between father and
children and between neighbors. The re-
spect due to parents and ancestors Is the
foundation Of the family, and these prin-
ciples are applied to government The
abyss which separates Confucianism from
Christianity may be illustrated by the ap-
plication Of principles which are, for g
fact, common to both. In China a lack OF
respect to parents or to ancestors is pun
fshed by Law, with great severity, even by
decapitation: In the occident the offense
may be treated by a fine in q police court
or by confinement In reformatory insti-
tuition.
The news Of the overthrow Of Gen. Yuan
Shie-Kwai would be received with grave
doubts were 1t not confirmed
Reports by a leader in the the Over
Confirmed. land China Mall of Decem-
Der Is. Because of the very
great interest which the United States has
in the maintenance in power Of man who
has won the confidence Of all Europe the
article in the Mail Is cited In extenso:
lone of the most singular results OF the
adoption of reformative measures at Pc
king has been the eclipse of H. E. Yuan
Shie-Kwai. reputed to be the most progress
i've viceroy China has yet known. He Gre
ated efficient troops, and his government
of Pechin has impressed foreign observers
with the fact that he has thoroughly as
simulated western ideas. But the steady
augmentation Of his power was certain to
insure for him the jealousy Of the old court
CLIQUE, and 1t was equally certain that when
the first opportunity presented itself an at
tempt would be made to bring about his
downfall. This opportunity has apparently
now come -Shie-Kwai, until recent
~ was In his own person the reforming
force which was to bring China to the
front. He was In favor of the
military and administrative reforms. The
REORGANIZATION Of the boards, tt apparently
did not occur to him. would involve the
passing away from his hands Of most Of
the powers he had exercised. but this is
provincial ofacial with no powers other
than arc possessed by other viceroys.
. -Shfe-Kwai Is under the
shadow Of Picking. and he is not likely to
be afforded any opportunity Of encroach-
ing upon the privileges of ministers. The
new condition Of affairs practically dates
from Yuan-Shie- RIVALS endeavor to get
the supreme military control into his own
hands by impeaching Itch LANG. He not
only failed, but the control of the troops
he had trained himself has been taken from
him. Also he has relinquished the post of
consulting minister of government affairs
and the control of the North China tele-
graph and railway administrations. Prac-
ticalIy -Shie-Kwaf Is shOrn Of all ex-
cept his local authority. Now 1t is reported
that his enemies are bringing an accusa-
ton of malversation of government money
against him.
Foreigners will hope, however, that
Yuan-Shie-Kwai is able to clear himself Of
the charge made against him, as it would
be a calamity If he was driven out of pub
lie life. The men who are working against
him are those who stand for reaction. in the
name of reform.
s'The degradation Of Yuan-Shie-Kwa
would retard progress to an extent which
can scarcely be overestimated Let US trust.
therefore, that he will be able to put his
enemies to confusion"
50
That some comedy Is being enacted In
China, quite incomprehensible even to Euro
pean residents there, is init
False mated by the author Of the
Reformers. article in the China Mail who
alludes to those who stand
for reaction while crying loudly for reform
The government at Picking, it appears, IL
busy In issuing Instructions to its viceroys
to express their views on the proposed re-
FORMS and they are asked to give 1nforma-
ton. etc. Ono Of the viceroys, taking his
cue from the reaction party, has FASTENED
to report his opinion, namely: fhat the
people of his province are not ready for
self-government"
On the other hand, while Yuan-Shie-
Kwars star has apparently fallen and that
of Tong Shao-Yi has risen high, 1t Is never
theless true that Yuan and Tong formerly
constituted a single soul, and II their stars
have finally separated it will be interesting
to learn the reason. l..
taS7-1SS9 with Yuan and Tong when the
former was Chinese resident IN Seoul,
Korea and the latter was his secretary ana
charge d'affaires. Together the Cinnamon
witnessed, helplessly and Inundated, the
forcible severance Of the traditional rela-
tons Of Korea and China, and the estab-
lishment of the vassal as q separate ana IN
dependent power at washington. Both
yuan and Tong knew that the Russian
charge d'affaires was the architect OF that
establishment, and that Russia's object was
to gain time for the completion or the
Trans-sfberian to vladivostok. The Chi
nese resident and his charge danaires
knew likewise that the United States was
the unconscious victim Of Russian machina-