The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-03-22
STATE RELIGION IN
CHINA NOT ADOPTED
CHINESE CITIZENS MAY WORSHIP
ANY WAY THEY
SEE FIT.

PEKING. March 17.--Accompanying
the mandates which have Just been
promulgated prescribing the worship
of heaven and of Confucius by the
president and certain provincial Of
ficiais, there Is one explaining that this
does not mean that China has adopted
a State religion. The documents at
tract wide interest because Of the long
controversy to which they come as
at least a temporary termination. They
are taken as a declaration on the part
of the president, and while his gov
ernment intends to worship In the way
that Chinese governments have been
worshipping for centuries. 1t Will not
interfere with the religions Of those
who believe in worship in another form.
The mandates read in part as follows:
Religious liberty is observed
throughout the world. Our republic
is composed of five races, Chinese,
Manchus, Mongolians, Mohamm edans
and Thibetans; and their historical
traditions differ Their religious be-
iiefs are difficult. therefore, to unity.
1t would not be easy to adopt a State
religion, for such a step might be con-
trary to the wishes Of the people. But
sacrifices offered at the proper seasons
to the ancient saints and sages. as
prescribed In the laws OF the late
Ching Dynasty, did not touch the ques-
ton Of religion. Since they are not in
conflict with a republican form OF gov
eminent they should be continued as
a token OF respect on the part of the
succeeding generations. It will be-
come generally known that the ceremo-
MES now prescribed are performed. and
there is danger that the ceremonies
will be construed as the beginning of
the establishment Of national religion.
1t IL, therefore, necessary to make
known the principle which prompted
the restoration of the ancient rites, and
TO state that they are in response to
the wishes of the majority to express
their reverence and veneration for the
saints and sages, and to preserve the
traditions of thousands Of years. The
choice OF religion is still left TO the
people. This Is according to the lib
erty guaranteed by the constitution and
in accord with the practice Of the world
This order Is issued to avert possible
misunderstanding and suspicion"
In promulgating the decision of the
administrative council. the president.
after repeating the councils report,
says:
II. the president, am aware that the
ceremony OF sacrifice offering to heav-
en- has been held In great reverence
since remote times and preserved by
the government of China through sue
EE5SiNt ages. FoE tue pcopiS W laSt
and cleanse themselves and pay pro-
found respect to the deity. Ia rational;
and no clause has ever existed In the
institutions OF the country prohibiting
or restricting this observance / here
by order that the sacrifice-offering to
heaven shall be made a universal cere-
fnony The recommendations OF the
administrative council regarding the
peace and time OF sacrifice are hereby
Tho ministry of Tie IN
terror is ordered to collect opinions Of
renowned authorities and decide upon
the special designs for the ceremonial
hat and costume. the character Of the
ceremony, the articles to be used, etc,
and 10 submit them for consideration
and approval"
The place chosen for this worship
ON the part OF the president is the IA
nous Altar of heaven where the en-
perors OF succeeding dynasties have
isnelt and offered thanks and suppl
cations 10 the open skies. The altar
is a vast circular marble dais. or rather
series of dais. rising upon one an
other, the center circle, where the en-
peror formerly knelt as son Of heaven
and mediator between his people and
the deity, being considered In former
DAYS the center of the universe,
On two sides OF the altar are rows
of huge open furnaces Of wrought
iron. and larger one of masonry
where the OK is sacrificed. II has
been several years since. the emperor
bowed upon the altar In person; and
IL Is not planned that the president
shall perform the ceremony until the
winter solstiee In December next, for
the rite is an annual service. The
altar, and also the temple and the
imperial buildings In the grounds
have been neglected and are now In
need Of much repair and so overgrown
with weeds that the pathways are al
NOSE impossible
Not only has time been permitted
10 put its mark upon the place, but
the vandal. too. has done his work,
Movable things have been taken away,
I'm many cases stolen, till only SPLEEN
did throne, surrounded by a dragon
screen, such as 1t is to be seen only
in the Forbidden City. remain. Huge
pieces of the carved marble have been
hacked off the altar and the temple.
Much OF the wrecking has been done by
foreigners. hut not all; the Chinese
themselves are to some extent guilty.
The place has been almost totally
neglected since the Marking govern
ment proclaimed the republic. The
young Republicans were ashamed OF
many things that differed from things