The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1910-02-03
new FORCES IN old CHINA,
Its Wonderful Development ReIiqlOusly
and Otherwise.

In China, old things are pas
sing away so rapidly that it
seems difficult to exagerate the
changes that are taking place.
The emperor, through his
father, the prince regent, has
confirmed the promise of con-
stitution and has set date for
it's adoption ten years hence.
In view of this, orders have
beeen sent to the governors of
provinces to give the people in
structions in self-government.
Railroad construction is being
pushed with all possible haste
to give easy access to Pekin by
the time the first legislature is
convened. Telegraph lines are
being extended, the postal SER
vice is growing by leaps and
bounds; the currency system is
to be developed on a modern
basis, and for the first time a
census of China's, hitherto un-
counted millions is being taken.
The army is being drilled in
modern methods and a new
navy has been planned at a cost
of $1OO,OOO,OOO. In Pekin
water-pipes are being laid in
the streets, a new system of
sewerage is being installed,
roads are being macadamized
and an American electric COM
pany is equipping the city with
an up to-date telephone system
at government expense.
Nor is the progress in mate
rial things alone. 1t is along
social and intellectual lines as
well. 4 great campaign
against opium has been inau-
gurated and signs are not want
ing that Chinese women are
coming to their own. Many
anti-foot- binding societies have
been established, and women's
clubs are being formed. Daily,
weekly and monthly papers
and magazines are multiplying
with great rapidity, new sys-
tenn of public instruction is be-
ing inaugurated, and schools
are springing up all over the
Empire. The intellectual
awakening is not confined to
any class Or section and is said
to be the most profound and
far-reaching the world has
known since the Revival of
Learning in Europe five CEN
turies ago.
These reforms, however, are
not being accomplished with
out opposition. There is a
strong reactionary party, and
China is still in the throes of a
conflict which will either make
world power with a voice in
the worlds affairs or sink her
once more in Oriental lethargy
and stagnation.
To missionary bodies work
ing in China the present edu-
cational crisis affords an une-
qualled opportunity for domi
mating the new intellectual life
of the Nation. In view of this
special emphasis is being laid
on education. Those societies
that have done little along this
line are opening schools at all
their stations; those that have
educational plants already in
operation are enlarging them
and bettering their equipment.
Through a great for ward move
ment, launched in London last
year, the sum Of $500, 900 is also
to be raised for this work.
Churches and schools are re-
ported full, and many of the
students in the colleges are Of
fering themselves for the SER
vice of Christ. The women,
too, are becoming more and
more useful in the work. At
the Chinese National Christian
Endeavor Convention in Nam
king last May the quiet-hour
services were entrusted to Miss
Dora vi, a modest, unassum-
ing Chinese girl, who conduct
ed them with great power.
From central and northeast
orn China rome wOndarfu1 ro-