The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1907-06-02

forces OF the 'oiviliSed world.
N.
Taught by the failure Of Il reaction on
which she had staked her life and her
throne, the Empress-Dowager has now
become q convert to the policy OF progress.
DR.. Martin believes that during her life
time she may be counted on to carry for
ward the cause which she has tardily
espoused. She grasps the reins with u E1~N
rand and her courage ist such that she
does not hesitate 70 drive the chariot II
State over many q new and untried road.
She knows that the spirit Of reform Is abroad
in. the land and that the heart OF the people
is with her. Our author finds the best
| embodiment Of this new spirit in the High
Commission sent out in 1905 to study the
institutions OF civilized countries east and
west and to report on the adoption of such
as they should deem advisable, DR.. Mar
tin thinks that the mere sending forth II
such an embassy 10 enough to make the
Empress Dowager's reign illustrious. The
only analogous mission in China's history
isthat which went to India in 90 A. d. in
quest Of a better religious faith.
On their return TO Chins the five COM
missioners Of 1905 sent in a joint memoris
dealing with what they had seen in foreign
countries. They reported that the richest
and strongest nations In the world to-day
are governed by constitutional govern
ments. They mentioned the proclamation
| Of representative institutions In Russia and
remarked that China was the only great
country that had not adopted that principle.
They earnestly requested the Throne IN
issue a decree fixing on five years as the
limit within which China should adopt a
| constitutional form Of government.
DR.. Martin bears witness to the signal
change which has taken place in Chinese
sentiment regarding railways. At first
dreaded as an instrument of aggression.
they are now understood TO be the best aux
iliaries for national defence. 1t has further
dawned on the mind Of the m andarinata
that they may be utilized as sources Of rev
enue. In our authors opinion, it would not
be strange II. the naturalization Of rail-
ways. decided on in Japan in the spring Of
1909, should lead to a similar movement
in China. Something has already been
achieved. Trains from Pekin now reach
Hangkow 600 milee) in thirty-six hours,
When the Grand Trunk 10 completed through
trains from the capital will reach Canton
in three days. We are invited to compare
this journey with the three month sea
voyage Of former times or with the ten days
even now required for the trip by steamer.
Many new enterprises in this field are con-
templated. Shanghai Ia to be connected
by rail with Tientsin (which means Pekin).
and with Nankin and Suohow. Lines TO
penetrate the western provinces are al
ready mapped out. and even in Mongolia
It is proposed to supersede the camel by
the iron horse on the caravan route to Rus
.io Tho ,l,,aut - ratIxvoxra hua hoap alnu
in comparison with the quick application
Of the telegraph. The provinces OF China
| are covered with wires. The wireless tele-
graph is also at work; a little manual trans
lated by q native. Christian tells people how
to use 1t. Electric bells are now common
| appliances In the houses Of Chinese who live
in foreign settlements. Electric trolleys are
soon to be running at Shanghai and Tientsin.
Telephones. both private and public,
are a convenience much appreciated. A
postal system China has long possessed;
mounted ~couriers for Official dispatches
and foot messengers for private parties.
the Government providing the former
| and merchant companies the latter. The
modernized post Office now operating
In every province provides both. To most
Of the large towns the mails are carried
by steamboat or railroad. Sir Robert
Hart, who in 1893 assumed control Of the
maritime customs service in treaty ports,
is the father Of China's postal system.
Within the last five years a vernacular
daily press has arisen in China. Some
twenty or more journals have sprung up
under the shadow of the throne, and they
are not gagged. They go to the length Of
their tether in discussing the affairs Of
state. and indulge in covert criticism OF
the Government and it's agents. Reading
rooms are a new institution full Of promise.
They are not libraries, but places for read
ing and e~Xpounding newspapers for the
benefit OF those who are unable to read
for themselves. This mode Of enlighten-
ing the ignorant is confessedly borrowed
from the missionaries. Reform in writing
Is a genuine novelty, Chinese characters
being a development Of ~hieroglyphics, in
which the sound is no index of the sense
and in which each pictorial form must be
made separately familiar TO the eye. With
out the introduction OF alphabetio writing
the art Of reading can never become general
in China To meet the want an alphabet
OF fifty letters has been invented, and a
society has been organized to push the
system. 30 that the common people, in
Guiding the women. may soon be able to
read the papers for themselves. TIL
author Of the system is Wang Chao, who
gave occasion for the coup d'etdt by
which the Dowager Empress was restored
to power in 1898. DR.. Martin closes his
memorable list OF reforms with a reference
to a society for the abolition Of the usage
which makes Chinese women cramp their
feet. He lately heard. he tells as, man
darins Of high rank advocate the suppress
sion of this custom, and they took a pledge
that there shall be no more foot binding
in their families. The Dowager Empress
has supported the cause with a hortatory
edict. Viceroy Chang 10 reported to have
suggested a tax on small feet.
We add that the streets Of Pekin and
other large cities are now patrolled by q
well dressed and we'll armed police force.
which offers a strong contrast with the
ragged, negligent watchmen OF yore. Pave
ments are undergoing thorough repairs,
80 that broughams and rickshaws are be-