New-York tribune., 1912-02-17
THE CHINESE ATTITUDE.

The proverbial contrast between the
| Eastern and the Western mind which,
unlike some other things, is real as we'll
as proverbial, has seldom been more
strikingly displayed than 1t is at the
present time in the attitude of Cinnamon
in this country and presumably the world
around toward the revolution in their
native land. 1t was a political revolu-
tion, perhaps even to be described as
partisan, involving the most radical
change which could easily be conceived
in the form of government It was one
over which radical and persistent differ
ences of popular opinion might be ex-
pected to exist, even among those who
are far removed from the actual scene.
1t is easy to imagine what differences Of
sentiment would arise in the Italian or
the German colonies In America If in
Italy or in Germany the monarchy should
be forcibly oyerthrown by insurrection.
The differences between Frenchmen and
between Englishmen over changes in
dynasty in their native lands are matters
of common record. But, so far as we can
ascertain, absolutely nothing of The sort
appears among the Chinese. The result
Of the revolution, the most tremendous
event in China for centuries, If not in all
it's history, is accepted without dissent or
challenge.
1t would be difficult to explain this on
any Occidental basis. We could hardly
suppose that the Chinese took no inter-
est in their country, seeing how solicitous
many of them are TO have their remains
sent back thither for burial. That they
have no information of what has Oc-
Cured Is incredible, for they are known
to be particularly well informed. 1t Is
scarcely supposable that they have all
been republicans, desirous of overthrow
ing and expelling the monarchy, or that
they have all been suddenly converted to
republicanism. In any other nation there
would be considerable faction of those
who would remain loyal to the old re-
gime. or at least who would express grief
at its downfall. But the Chinese mani
fest nothing Of the sort. The ending Of
a monarchical system which was con-
temporary with the Pharaohs and which
through countless and tremendous vicis-
situdes had remained unbroken until
now seems TO be regarded by them not
indeed with apathy, but with certain
nOnchalance as matter Of course
1t is inexplicable according to Ameri-
can or European rules. We must as
sumo that the Chinese take such an atti-
tude simply because they are Chinese,
and because their mental ways are not
as our ways, nor their point OF view iden-
teal with ours. We may. however. see
In the circumstance much encourage
ment for the security and perpetuity Of
the republic of Cathay There will ap-
parently be no imperialist party, in
triguing for a restoration Of the dynasty.
The nation viii be to remarkable de-
gree united in its endeavors to make the
new order Of things successful I'm that
case, there would seem TO be no great
reason why ID should not be successful.
There is no radical barrier TO repnb-
licanism In China. There is no percep-
tible reason why the Chinese should not
be self-goyerning In provincial and na-
tional affairs as well as In purely local
affairs, In which last they have long
been one Of the most democratic peoples