The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1907-06-01
RICHARD BAR1HoLp1 APOSTLE OF PEACE

RICHARD BARTH0lDT,
Congressman Richard Bartholdt Of
Louis districts, was conspicuous at the
Mr.. Bartholdt occupies high place as
and permanent world peace. He was
the interparliamentary union and has b
tine head Of the American section. Gerl
question. We have other. and more
potent, reasons for looking across the
Pacific with apprehension.
In northern China, where the great
wall extends as far as eye can see
over the sandy wastes of Shengking,
a break can be seen in its battle
ments. For hundred yards this an
cient rampant has been RACED to the
earth. The massive brickwork that
had rested undisturbed for a hundred
generations has been torn away; and
through this gap the winds blow alien
sands upon China's sacred soil. More
significant still. through the breach
stretches modern steel trestle over
which daily rush the mogul engines
of the Northern Imperial railway,
awakening echoing thunders among
the ruined pagodas that crown the
graSS-cOvered wall.
The scene is mutely prophetic. Just
as this monument to the ancient ira
ditions of the Celestial empire has
been ruthlessly torn asunder to meet
the imperative demands of modern
commerce. so are Chinese walls of
conservatism being disrupted by the
onward march Of civilization. The
roar OF passing trains echoes through
the corridors of the imperial palace
at Picking. The Decorating hustle of
modern business is resembling
through the half-ruined temples of
Tien-tsin. The Occident is tearing its
way into the Orient.
From Manchuria on the north, to
Yunnan on the south; from Hongkong
on the east, to Tibet on the west, ru-
NOR comes of muttering and stir
ring among the sleeping peoples. Ev-
cry traveller who disembarks at San
Francisco brings the same tale. The
Cinnamon are opening their eyes to
the victory of the new over the old.
They can see that the alert foreigner
makes the sandy deserts of Hansi a
highway to riches yearly paved with
hundred thousand tons of coal. They
can see that where they scraped a
pound of copper from the mines of
Yunnan, his steam cranes are swing
ing out millions.
hind modern commerce. The keen,
practical textbooks of Occidental
science are already contending on an
equal footing with the worn parch-
ments of Confucian philosophy. Who
doubts where the victory will be?
Even now the Chinese Lterati are
abandoning the ancient examination
booths for the colleges of Europe and
America. And. as they return, they
are carrying back all the spirit that
makes western nations great. They
are the vanguard in that fast-forming
army of newly enlightened men, who
are to storm the strongholds Of Chi
nese conservatism and ,revolutionize
her government policies, her ideals,
and her very religion.
And during the last two years has
not the yellow man unused deeply over
another matter? For did not his mar
yelling gaze follow his brethren OF the
Orient as they swept over the fields
OF Lao Yang and put to utter route
the battalions of the Occident? Did
he not see the japanese wrest Port
Arthur from Russia?-and drive the
cars columns blackjack till even
Mukden flOated the Mikado's flag. and
the pride of Russian arms lay pros
trate in the dust?
But the story of the East is not yet
complete. Another mighty influence
is at work. There is no more potent
force in the Orient today than the
christian missionary. He has gone up
and down the provinces carrying news
OF the Redeemer. and at the same time
healing the sick, bringing comfort to
the dying, and teaching the living how
to better use their lives. Since this
century began. returns of thirty and
fifty-fold are becoming an hundred
fold. The thousands of christian mar
tyrs have not died in vain. do not
wish to belittle other agencies. The
fiancier has shown China the won
ders of modern commerce. Western
arts and sciences have opened I'M
dreamed realms of thought. The
sword of the Mikado's soldier has
hewed her path to better things.
But transcending all forces stands the
cross of Christ.
In interpreting these signs of the
times we can come to but one con-
clusion. This century is going to see
a new power unlashed upon the world.
There 1t looms on the eastern hori-
zon. The sky Is yet clear. We have
naught but the warning mutterings
as of distant thunder. Do those slow
ly rising clouds mean added posperi-
ty to the nations, as the quiet summer
rain means blessing to the fields? Or
do they mean storm and turmoil? 1u-
multi and destruction?
This is problem, not of tomorrow,
but of today. The hour Of change is
already upon us. The drama in the
Far East is no longer to be played
by England and Russia. Japan is al
ready upon the stage. China soon will
enter. The intellectual force of her
people, their physical vitality, and
adaptability warn us that she will
play a marvellous part in the TWEEN
tieth century.
OF I,o