Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-07-04
CHINESE MINISTER LEAVES
REGRET AT LEAVING THE
UNITED STATES.
Speaks Of the Conditions as They Now
Exist in His Country and
Progress Being Made.

Il have been through great many try
ing experiences in my life, but the saddest
of ALL 1 think, is leaving the United States
and the many true friends l have made
here These weere the words of Sir
Chentung L'angCheng. the Chinese min
ister just prior to his departure from the
city last evening for San Francisco. at
which place he will sail on the steamship
Korea July for home. Il am deeply sen-
have been shown to me throughout my
career here by the American people" con-
tinued the minister. II can hardly say
enough to express my deep appreciation of
all that has been done both by the gov
eminent and people to make my stay use
full to the Chinese people and pleasant to
me-"
Minister LANG talked Interestingly Of
conditions as they now exist in his coun-
try, and noted with evident enthusiasm the
progress which is being made throughout
the empire along various lines. Particularly
was this the case, he pointed out, in the
public schools, in which the various prov
inces are following the lead of Chill, the
metropolitan province of China, under the
viceroy, Yeun Shi XII. In that province,
which took the lead in all reforms advocated
by the government, he said, there had been
in the last three years 1926 schools es-
tablished. 1t was the sincere desire of the
government, he declared, to give every at
tention to the development of the edu-
cational system to the end that the
younger element might get all the advan-
tages to be derived from it. The govern
ment feels, he said that no reform can
be successfully accomplished without edu-
eating the younger generation thoroughly.
Experiments in Local Government.
I'm Chilli province" the minister con-
tinued, 1.-The officials are making expert
ments along the line OF local govern
ment and are trying to interest the
people thoroughly in 1t. Incidentally, they
have started there schools for training po-
licemen, and the results have been very
gratifying. 1 mention these facts simply
to show that the people are progressing
gradually, but surely, toward the more
modern methods of western civilization.
The emperor already, as you are aware, has
issued decree which ultimately has in
view the meeting of constituent assem-
bly,. But there are many things to be done
before anything of this kind can be real
ity. The people have to be educated up
to it, But the emperor and the govern
ment officials who are carrying out his
policies have he welfare of the peo-
pie at heart and are sincere in their desire
to give them constitutional government
when the time is ripe for it"
"Will you in your official capacity in the
foreign office continue to advocate the pol
icy of the open door by the government"
was asked the minister.
China will continue her open door pol
icy,' replied Mr.. LANG. Her greatest in
terests demand an adhesion to that prac-
tice which already has proved so helpful
to her There must be an open field and
a fair chance to everybody who wants to
trade with our people. The government re-
lies upon the building of railroads and the
development of the interior as an essen
tial element necessary to it's progress. The
complaints and opposition which mani
tested themselves so vigorously fifteen or
twenty years ago against progressive
ideas and methods in that direction have en-
tirely disappeared"
Send Young Men to American Colleges
Il am firm believer said the minister,
''of the practice of sending young Chinese
to American colleges, and I snail do all In
my power to advance this practice. Thirty
years ago 1t was common fer parents to
send children from eleven to fourteen years
to American schools. But now many of
those sent are over sixteen, and range up
to nineteen years of age. l think the for
mer practice was the better one, for at the
younger ages the children were received in
and became practically members of fami-
lies with whom they boarded. In this
capacity they absorbed much of the spirit
and home life of the people, which is a
great benefit to them. l have been very
much gratifed by some recent statistics
given to me by President Eliot of Harvard
University, showing the excellent records
made by Chinese students. The government
keeps line on the students who come to
American colleges and when they graduate
there are offers for remunerative employ
ment in China always open to them.
Finally" said the minister, II want to
say that China has never been so quiet as
during the last twelve months There have
been no difficulties of consequence during
the past year. and there have been no re-
ports of murders of missionaries. Natur-
ally, in a great country like China there
is always feeling of unrest. With the
development Of the interior through the
construction of railroads and the improve
ment of the rivers, the government in fu-
ture years will be in closer touch with its
people, thus affording an opportunity for
remedying their ills and quelling oppo-
stion.''
The minister was accompanied by his
family; Mr.. Chu, an attache of the Chinese
consulate at New York. and Mr. Lang
Chen, an attache Of the Chinese consular
service in Cuba. The party occupied the
special car Courier, attached to the western