The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-11-15
VANDALISM IN CHINA
eovERNmENT FORGED TO TAI<E
 NOTICE.
Jmpanese Statenmen Are Warning Their Countrymen Of The Advance <Of Degenerncy Among The
 Japnnese People.
nY EnWARn YouNG.

Peking. Nov 14.--Much indignation has been aroused among educated Chinese and European residents in China by vandalism. on the part of foreign tourists in the northern prov inces of the empire. To such an extent has the depreciation been carried on during the last year or two that some of the most famous and valuable mon- uments are threateend with destruc- ten. At the Ming Tombs the statues in the celebrated avenue of stone images have been badly defaced. Out rages have been committed in the Tenn pie of Heaven enclosure at Picking, which have been the subject of repre- sentations by one of the government boards to the throne. The carvings around the base of the famous mar ble tope in the Yellow Temple are being gradually destroyed. So daring and unscruplous have been the depre- dations of foreigners at the temple "Ta-Kaotien." in Peking, that the place has recently been entirely closed to visitors. The crownfng example of these senseIess acts of barbarity was the organization last year of an ex- petition to Sianfu, the object of which, as the leader afterwards avowed, was to ilch the celebrated Nestorian Tablet and float it away by the Wei and Yel- low rivers. Fortunately. this afniable design was frustrated by the vigilance of the governor of Shensi, who had the monument removed to place Of safe- ty. These and other facts are set forth fin a circular. which has been issued by q Picking resident, calling upon foreigners living in China to take concerted action for the discour- agement of vandalism.
 The Chinese government has notified the foreign ministers that, fin order to preserve China's sovereign rights. the subjects of non-treaty powers will be protected by the Chinese authorities without the intervention of the repre- sentstives of other countries. The inl- periaI government cannot forfeit its rights by granting consular jurisdic
 tion to such subjects simply because they claim to be under the protection of a treaty power. This pronounce ment has apparently been called forth by representations by the German minister with regard to the protection of Ottoman subjects by Germany. He was informed that, while the Chinese government would be pleased to re- ceive communications from Turkey through Germany about her sup1iets, Turks would continue to be under the protection of the Chinese authorities in the same way as are Siamese and other foreigners whose countries have no treaty with China. While there are not many Ottoman subjects in the eri- pire, there are in Yunnan, Kansu. Hsinkiang, and other provinces large populations of Mohamnredans, and it'is pointed out that Germany's influence in China would in all probability be quite disproportionately increased if Turkish subjects were actually placed under her protection.
 The viceroy of Canton has been or dered by the imperial government im- mediately to raise and equip with mod ern weapons two regiments of infan- try. His excellency at first demurred, on the ground that the provincial ex- chequer had been absolutely depleted, and that there were no means of rais- ing money for the purpose. Picking, however declined to accept this ex- cuse, and the viceroy and his subor- dinates have accordingly been com pelled to devise some method of ind kag tho necessary funds. The plan they are reported to have hit upon does not commend itself to the local com munity. It has been decided to Iegiti- matize once more a specfes of gafuhitTTg in the open day, the system known as Pakkoppin being approved of. The best native journals are opposed to the re-establishment of this pefnteious' that such gambling should not be per mitted again. It is feared that this step will be but the prelude to the licensing of other kinds of gambling.
 Certain public men and prominent newspapers in Japan have lately been discussing the alleged moral degener- acy which is said to be sapping the fibre of the Japanese people. Baron oura, Minister of Agriculture and Commerce. for instance, in a recent speech, warned the nation at large against the growing tendency to Injurious habits~ Instead of .devoting themselves quietly and assiduously to industry in order that the national finances. strained by the recent war, might be built up, he asserted that the people were rapidly acquiring habits of earelessness, indoIence and 'extraya- gance, '"The luxuries indulged in. In regard to food residence and dress are reaching an astonishing point. Not content with these luxuries, ladies among the higher classes are begin ming to ornament their haneri (collar) with expensive jewels. in addition to rich embroidery. Such extravaganza Is absurd. On the other hand, com plaints of tradesmen in regard to busi- ness depression are in the air, and the public is generally dejected; yet the prices of commodities do not go down. but are rather maintaining an upward tendency. Turning one's eyes to the state of industry, 1t is found that the manufactures turned out are mostly of spurious quality, and that confidence in Japanese goods abroad has totally collapsed. Since the great war the people of Japan who ought to be seri- ous, honest and earnest in their busi- ness. are tickle and inconstant in their dealings. blindly following the prevail ing fashions. Even in the case of local industrial exhibitions, which