Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-02-17
The Master of China

In the midst OF the clamor OF war. the
steady progress of Chinese organize
ton under the leadership OF President
Yuan must not be- overlooked by th.
observers OF passing events says tn"
concr"gationaliSt. iuan's asCcndancc
personal achievements OF recent his
tory. He has passed through serious
external and internal difficulties. has
apparently gotten the various rebel
lions under. has raised money enough
TO ro on md has concentrated nu-
hoiity In his own hands al ia eN-
pcnsc Of popular representation ana tho
Parliament. The latest steps in his
progress toward what many think may
easily become the founding az new
Chinese imperial dynasty have been
notable events In the history OF chi
ncse religion ana politics.
By i!nmcmorial custom tho Chinese
Emperor. who Theoretically vas re-
farded as tho father of his people at
tho winter solstice offered formal
and special sacrlflc. at the great altar
of heaven in one Of the imperial parks
near PckIn. This peculiarly rcprescn-
tatiyo and imperial annual custom
President Yuan has now revived. sur
rounding II with all tho stately cere-
monia! OF ancient sacrincinl robes
and standing before the altar as the
living representative OF the whole Chi
nese people.
The long training Of the Chinese
mind In Confucian principles OF rover.
enco for fathers ana governors and
ancestors has made this act n natural
expression OF popular feeling and de-
sire outside the little groups Of
Christians, the Chinese people are prob
ably more nearly a unit In their ac-
ceptancn of patriarchal ideals Of gov
erimont and personal relations than
funns life is spared for a few years
the recurrence of these imperial func-
lions at which lie takes the part hith-
"ri belonging to tho Emperor might
easily pave the way for his acccptance
as Emperor II this should happen II
would continue in tho central place OF
Chinese authority man who has shown
his interest In Christianity hv edu-
eating his own sons In Christian
schools. and who has shown more than
tolerance for Christian missionary en-
dcavor.
In tho political sphere. the decree
just issued still more openly and CON
clus'v'ly points the way toward the
continuance OF President Yuar's Dres-
mt authority In China As President
his term has already been extended
for period OF ten years; and If at
the end OF tho tcn-year period the
Senate believes 1t to he for the intcrcs,
indefinitely by a two-thirds vote. All
these conditions seem to prove not
merely the vast present ascendancy
which Yuan has attained in China hut
suggest the opening of n road which
VIII lead naturally ana almost i'm
perccptibly toward such an empire as
ipciavian. under somewhat similar con
ditions, established in the brcak-up
Of the Roman republic. The Chinese
cnhiNhieht of our word .Prcsident"
might. In that case. easily come to
ineah what the Roman word "F,mpcr0r'
stood for in tho thought of the Roman
imperial ages, and stands for to-day in
Ealt dozen great modern nations
NevcrthcIcss. we have rca son 10 hope
as our missionaries continue to hope,
mat CHINA Is Oh it's way 10 n national
status cons"nant with tho ideal OF de-
mocracy ana Chrlstianity Tho strong
mana or Yuan may hr needed inst
at this time OF transition, and some
oid-tiinc customs and methods which
nc may utilize in Difference 10 many
OF his people need not or themselves
impede tho march, or prorress