The San Francisco call., 1909-02-09

That the power and wealth of every
nation depends on the intelligence of its
sons and daughters was a statement
made yesterday by Leong Chin Kwai.
Chinese commissioner of education, at
the opening of the first school estab-
lished in the United States by China.
The Imperial Chinese school. which is
the name of the new institution of
learning, is located at S43 Stockton
street and was dedicated yesterday aft
ernoon with impressive ceremonies by
high Chinese officials and prominent
Chinese merchants and scholars Of
California.
Hundreds Of American and Chinese
flags, yellow streamers and flowers
were used in ornamenting the exterior
Of the handsome building of the Chi
nese Six companies in which the new
school is located. Consul General Hsu
Ping Chen, Vice Consul Owyang Kee,
DR.. Gar Sou Hong, DR.. Wong Him,
Look Tin Eli Ng Ping Chen and Prof.
Shun Chick were among the principal
figures in the impressive dedicatory
services yesterday afternoon. More
than a hundred other prominent Chi
nese of California were present garbed
in beautiful oriental costumes of blue.
purple and white with yellow and gold
ornaments
CONSUL LEADS PROCESSION
Numerous floral designs were used in
beautifying the interior of the large
hall in which the exercises were held.
Several hundred large and small flags,
colored posters, banners, ferns and rugs
were also used to enhance the interior
decorations.
Following Look Tin Eli, chairman of
the committee in charge of the serv-
ices, Commissioner Leong Chin Kwai,
the consul general and the vice consul
led the procession into the hall. The
customary salutes due the representa-
tive of the regent of China and his
commissioner were paid by the assem-
bled Chinese. The first feature of the
program was the silent homage to the
deceased emperor and dowager empress
OF China. Several minutes elapsed
before the Chinese concluded the serv-
ices of respect which while extremely
simple. were very impressive.
Commissioner Leong, who is a man
Of rank in China and who studied with
the present regent, made the opening
address. His words were addressed to
the 200 Chinese students and the Chi
nese men present. The substance of his
talk was as follows:
ADVANTAGES OF EDUCATION
China has long been considering the
advisability of establishing schools in
the United States for the benefit of the
children of its people who are in this
country. China has long realized that
the strength of every nation depends on
the intelligence of it's sons and daugh-
ters. China is a nation of wonderful
opportunity. Her-industries are many.
but as yet undeveloped. No country
can expect to advance unless its chill
dren receive proper schooling. The
training received by the Chinese chill
dren in the United States together with
the training they will receive in the
Chinese schools will fit them for the
great work which has already been be-
gun in China. 1t is the intention of the
Chinese government to establish
schools in New York, Chicago, Vancou-
yer. Sacramento, Portland and Seattle.
/ hope these students will. take every
advantage of the opportunities now of
fered and that they will be an honor
to the country in which they were born
as well as to the native land of their
parents. In closing / must express my
thanks to the Chinese of San Francisco.
Another matter of Importance is the
kindness China enjoys from Americans.
The Americans are a wonderful people
and our country has learned many val
uabIe lessons from them"
Consul General Hsu Ping Chen.
Vice Consul Owyang Kee, DR.. Gar Sou
Hong and several of the teachers were
others who spoke. DR.. Gar Sou Hong
spoke in English and translated the
speeches of the consul general and
Commissioner Leong.
The Chinese classics, music history.
geography. mathematics and rhetoric
viii be the subjects taken by the pu-
pills The expenses of maintaining the
school will be principally borne by the
Chinese government. There will be
FIVE teachers, three of whom are grad
yates of the Imperial college at Peking
For the first few months only boys
viii be admitted to the school. but
provisions for ipstructing girls will be
made later. Commissioners Leong
Ching kwai has made arrangements