The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-10-29
Controversy Over Oriental Gov
eminent Wakes Hot.
MOnarchical Versus Democratic
Form of Rulership.
ALL ARE QUOTING CONFUCIUS
Like Bible, His Sayings May Be
Construed Many Ways.
Attempt to Augment Belief in
COnfuciuS Is Evident.

Picking, Oct 29.-Confucius looms
largely in the controversy which is be-
ing hotly waged in China over the
monarchical plan. President Yuan
Shi-kai and his supporters are con-
stantly quoting the ancient sage. Ad-
vocates of the republic are also using
Confucius freely, and urging that the
change to monarchy would be VIOLA
ton of Confucian oath and conse-
uuently would discredit the teachings
of the great moral leader in the eyes
of the world.
Plans are now in preparation by
government officials for the erection
of a great bronze statue of Confuclus
in Picking. At present the ancient
sage is represented in the various tenn
pies only by pictorial images or sacred
tablets. These do not create the vivid
impression of the great teacher which
the Chinese officials desire, and the
movement is under way to place
bronze statues of him in Confucian
temples throughout the republic.
Confucius Teachings.
Mandates have recently been issued
by President Yuan Shi-kai strengthen
ing the position of Confucius' teachings
in Chinese schools, and the society
for the preservation of peace has con-
stautIy quoted the sayings of Confuc1uS
concerning loyalty to the emperor in
support of the restoration OF the mon
archy.
Four Confucian books are taught in
Chinese schools. and no students who
are not thoroughly versed in them are
regarded as we'll educated. Quotations
from these books, written nearly
twenty-five hundred years ago are
frequently used in nearly all govern
mental communications. The advo-
Gates of absolute concentration of gov
eminent in an emperor are especially
fond of such Confucius excerpts as
this: ITO no one but the supreme
head of the empire does it belong to
disturb the established religious and
social institutions, to introduce new
forms of government, to change the
form and use of language. At the
present day throughout the empire
carriage wheels all have the same
standard form and size, all writing is
in all the relations of life all recognize
the same established principles"
All Speak of Duties.
Public speeches concerning the
monarchical movement, letters to the
newspapers and editorials in support
of the restoration of the empire are
filled with quotations concerning the
five duties of universal obligation out
lined by Confucius and the three
moral qualities by which the sage said
these duties must be carried out. The
first of these duties are those between
ruler and subject. Next are the duties
between father and son. Then the
duties between husband and wife The
brother and younger, and the fifth
duties are those in the intercourse be
tween friends Intelligence, moral
character and courage, in the order
named, are the three moral qualities
upon which Confucius laid great
stress. OF these he says: They are
the three universally recognized m oral
qualities of men. 1t matters not in
what way men come to the exercise
of these moral qualities, the result is
one and the same.
Some men are born with the
knowledge of these moral qualities;
some acquire it as the result of edu
cation; some acquire it as the result
of hard experience. But when the
knowledge is acquired, it comes to
one and the same thing. Some eXer-
else these moral qualities naturally
advantageous to do so; some with eff
fort and difficulty. But when the
achievement is made it comes to one
and the same thing"
The effort to strengthen the in
terest in ConfucianiSm is apparent
China Scholars are urged to visit
his tomb at Chufou, and a more care
full reading of his classics is advised
Young men are told that Confucius
began gathering disciples around him
and teaching the principles of good
government at the early age of TWEEN
ty-two. His services as minister of
crime are reviewed, and the marvel
GUS abolition of crime under his direc-
ton is emphasized. His great success
as a teacher in the later years of his
life when he gathered three thousand
disciples around him is stressed, and
readers are constantly reminded of
the enduring fame of this teacher
who had the proper ideals of govern
ment.