The Washington times., 1912-06-25
WOMEN IN CHINESE
EMPIRE INITIATING
WESTERN SISTERS
Oriental Maids No Longer
Remain In Their Homes
With Crippled Feet.

The position Of Chinese women was
the same 5000 years ago that 1t 10 today.
says writer In the Queen. But there
is a woman's movement in the Celestial
Empire now just as there is In every
other country. and 1t has clever and
capable leaders.
Instead of remaining at home with
crippled feet, the modern Chinese girl
attends one OF the schools that are be-
Ing started everywhere for her instruc-
ton. and which are crowded with young
women; In fact. they have been found
too small to accommodate all the ap-
plicants.
The course Of study generally in
cludes mathematics. English, various
sciences. music, calisthenics, Chinese
writing and reading, The teachers are
almost entirely women, though occa-
| sionallv an old man teaches Chinese
classics. A Japanese woman usually
takes mathematics, calisthenics, and
| music.
Encourage New Learning.
The women Of the royal family have
been among the first to encourage the
new learning. Imperial princesses es-
tablished schools at Peking, and took
the lead In Mongolia, while II 10 through
their influence that schools have been
| opened in most of the provinces
throughout the empire.
Chinese women are also leaving their
| own country to finish their education
In Europe, America, and Japan. Three
years ago the Berlin University re-
ceived as student the daughter Of a
Shanghai gentleman, while in America
the Chinese women students are taking
their place by the side of their male
Gompatriots in any moyement or meet
| which takes place in the country on
terms of perfect equality.
Women's medical schools are spring.
Ing up in China starfed by English and
are doing is incalculable. The Margaret
! Williamson Hospital at Shanghai is an
entirely American institution. where no
the toughest work The doctors and
head nurses are white women, and
many of the assistants are Chinese
who have been trained in the hospital.
Government Active.
The Government Hospital and Medi-
cal School for Women at Tientsin is
also doing splendid work for women in
the country. The government does not
raise difficulties with regard to the
higher education OF women, and many
men are anxious for their daughters to
be trained on Western lines, and are en-
couraging them in every possible way.
Modern literature and journalism are
also largely responsible for the awaken
ing of Chinese women. Two books pub
~5hR ~ nhs as feM oR Rshs
of the Chinese Woman in the Choice OF
Q Husband" voice the modern ideas
which are taking root in the country.
tod hxF
women with women as contributors
have lately been started. Mrs. Chang
! the widow of Chinese official, has
edited the Peking Woman's Paper, de
: suffrage movement in England being q
| favorite topic. This gifted lady was
trained and educated by her father a:
II she had been boy, and she thus
obtained a power of observing the con
ditions of womens life which would
have been impossible for any ordinary
Chinese lady 1t has been stated tina,
in Peking there are nine journals edited
composed, printed, and sold by women
Canton produces four Shanghai six, anc
t Foochow three.
Rules for Editors.
, The government has recently lait
l down rules regarding the management
l NJ native papers. Publishers, printers
and editors must be over twenty -on'
; years OF ago, sound of BRAIN" an'
= have never been in prison. They mus
$ also deposit security to the amount o
2 2 ,75 per paper. unless It is devoted II
: education, art or statistics, and cop!
: Of each issue must be sent to the loca
f MAGISTRATE and to the board OF civi
affairs in Peking.
n The legal position of the Chimes
e woman is deplorable, and is one OF IN
: reasons why the movement ,,ds for he ne
{ Growth. She is subject to the ''thre
obediences-to her father IN her rS1s cnlsa ia
e and to her son in her widowhood, an
= this position naturally cripples her pow
ers and has a disastrous effect upo
n her character.
= When a Chinaman has only, daugh
= ters he says he has no children; !
t fact, girl ought to consider herseI
II lucky TO be alive at all, for in man
Il parts of the country 1t is the eustor
to drown female babies. Her parent
dispose of her in marriage as the
please-it is the only career open
= her-and she then becomes the propert
: of her husband.