The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1908-03-08

IL III OptIdlltn ut UuuuI Gus VI pio~S9
from Pekin to Mukden on the north to
Hongkong and Canton on the south. In
fact, it is the only method of making
lumber that we have any evidence of
being used in China. Even in the Brit
ish colony of Hongkong, and on the
government barracks we saw these
same "sawmills'' in operation.
The sights that greet us through the
open fronts of the shops along the
streets display equally Anticipated
methods of making things of other
lines. The blacksmiths are busy forg-
ing out hoes, knives, chisels, etc, by
means of hammer and anvil. The fur
niture maker iaboriously cuts out one
piece after another with crude hand
tools. The silversmith hammers and
turns out tediOusly some eXquisitely
fine wares. The ivory carver cuts cut
images almost microscopic in size on
the handles of fans and numerous 9TH
er articles In innumerable dingy shops
we hear from early morn till late at
night the dull click of the weaver's
shuttle and the agonizing squeaks of
the strings that are manipulated 20
make the patterns Thus we might con-
tinue through the long list of artisans
craft. Everything is handwork
The skill attained by workmen is Oft
en- marvellous. Power machinery for
making things seems not yet to have
been thought of outside of a few for
eign settlements. We are Informed that
China possesses immense deposits Of
coal. but as yet only very few mines
are being operated. Private ownership
of mines is practically impossible UNI
der present laws, and the government
shows no inclination toward develop
ing the mineral resources of the en-
mir 70, Iaa 7 s.,rr
hand to make China one of the great
est industrial nations on the face Of
the globe If only her inhabitants would
get out of their stupor and give sorne
thought to doing differently and better
than their ancestors have for centuries
been doing.
There are many things observable
that point to the conclusion that The
form of government and the ruling
monaTchs are the main obstacles in the
way of industrial development The
continuance of absolute power resting
with the emperor Cor empress, as the
case may be- is dependent upon The
continued ignorance of the people in
matters concerning modern western
civilization. There are enough pro-
gressive-spirited Cinnamon mixed in
the population to leaven the whole mass
if only they were free to develop their
energies. While conservatism is ma
tiOnal trait of China. progressiveness
must be the moving spirit here as else
where, and progressiveness will sue
coed in moving these people if only it
gets half a chance.
A few notes may not be out of place
here i'm regard to the missionary posts
which we took occasion TO visit, espe-
cially at Pekin and at Marking. At
in oafi COL zy TrfT-
ly recovered from the catastrOphiss of
the Boxer troubles or uprisings. During
those troubles all the missionary posts
at Pekin, except the Roman Catholic,
lost buildings, and practically every.
thing that they did not carry with
them to the British legation. where
the foreigners had barred them
selves until the allied troops fur
nished them relief. Their buildings
were literally RACED to the ground and
stacks of brick and other building ma
terial were to be seen i'm various parts
of the city after the siege. whittier the
plunderers had carried them. In the
conditions for peace which the allied
nations finally imposed upon the Chi
nese government, was the payment by
the Chinese of an indemnity to cover
the cost OF replacing the properties de-
stroyed. With this indemnity money
the mission posts have rebuilt with
very substantial modern buildings, and
are now very comfortably housed.
Schools and colleges have again been
started and are now i'm a flourishing
condition. At the Presbyterian mission
in .Pekin most of the girls of the ma
tive girls school were massacred dur
ing the uprising The authorities have
not yet reOpened q boarding school for
girls, though they experience a strong
demand for such. This post cooper
ates with the Congregational mission
post to utilize the schools which the
two posts have to the best advantage.
At the Methodist mission strong coll
lege courses are taught to both men
and women. As we pass through the
university halls, class rooms libraries
and laboratories we forget for the time
being that we are in conservative Chi
ma, and feel that we are in the midst
of the highly developed western civili-
cation. Instruction is impaired main
ly in the Chinese language. though i'm
the college. course, if not earlier. Eng
lish Is taken UP as modern Ian
guage.