Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1908-03-04
Transformation becomes still more i'm.
preSSive.

There have been frequent indications
of late that fundamental changes are
impending In the policies Of China.
Those who have been watching devel-
opments have been predicting sweeping
reforms whose net result would be the
alignment of the worlds most ancient
empire with the progressive nations Of
the present day. That these radical al
terations will be made without ire
mendous upheavals is by no means
certain. The history Of the world does
not show such a peaceful road for the
progress Of people. Affairs in China
are likely to have great interest for
the whole world during the next few
years. The present dynasty Of the
ManchuS has been in control Of impe-
rial affairs for 263 years, since 1t took
the place of the Ming dynasty of Chi
nese, which had ruled during the pre-
ceding 276 years Coming in to help
the country defend itself from foreign
foes, it established Itself in power,
and ever since the Manchus have re-
NAMED as a distinct military and Off
cial caste. There are supposed to be
about 100000 Manchus in an empire
popularity estimated to contain 100000
600 souls. To maintain superiority un-
der such conditions is by no means an
easy task, particularly when the pecu-
liar composition of the empire is con-
sidered. For the Chinese empire is a
loose confederation Of almost sovereign
States, each with It's own army, and
each ruling its own internal affairs
and determining its own internal poll
cies. The western notion Of the word
empire conveys no conception OF the
situation in China. The present at
tempt of the Manchus to save the
crown and maintain their long eStab-
lished supremacy may have come too
late. The Chinese have been pushing
forward. They have grown In wealth,
| in power and in culture. Considering
| their tremendous superiority In num-
bers, it Is not at all surprising that
| they should seek the control which has
been exercised by a comparative few.
Il
my. 1t is now proposed that that be
disbanded, with all attendant privi-
leges laid aside 1t is proposed that
the daughters of upper class Cinnamon
be allowed to marry into the imperial
| family, this making possible a future
emperor of Chinese and Manchu mixed
blood. The ancient custom Of binding
| the feet Is to be abandoned by the Chi
nese, thus removing a marked distfRc-
ton between the women of the two
races. The Manchus are to be requir-
| ed to take surnames, thus conforming
| to the Chinese custom and still further
| celebrating the line of demarcation
between the race elements. These
would be notable changes. They would
| indicate great concessions on the part
of the ruling caste. They may be suffi-
| cient TO stem the tide Of discomfort
/ On the other hand, they may swell 1t,
| the willingness to recognize the exist
ing conditions In the empire being TAX
en- as an evidence of fear and so Civ
ing rise to more importunate demands
from the representatives of the great
majority. 1t is a critical time for
China. If the governmental changes
necessary to bring the empire to the
front rank can be made without revo-
| luton China will become power
among the nations. If revolution comes
and the strong grip Of the Manchus
is relaxed after more than two and a
half centuries, no one can foretell the
| outcome.