The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-01-09
CHINA ENfEEBlED
BY HER TRADITIONS
Are Specially Condemned by Gov
ernment I'm Prescribing Reforms.

Are specially Sondemks4O Dy Cow
ernment I'm Prescribing Reforms.
Washington, Jan. s.--The Chinese
department of rites and customs. |
through the minister of the interior, |
4s circulating throughout China the
following document explaining the
evils of early marriage. the necessity
for irving the funeral rites for de-
ceased parents, the importance of
abolishing foot binding and the vice
Of gambling:
TN order to settle the mind of the
people II 10 imperative that rites and
traditions OF the nation should be fol-
lowed and all bad customs abolished.
Since Inauguration of the republic six
years have elapsed, during which dis
turbances have reigned and systems
and principles have been trampled un-
der foot. Popular scholars have
preached fallacious doctrines which
have done a world OF mischief to So
ciety. Morality has been disregarded
by the public and rites and traditions
have not been observed. No one has
protested against this rapid deteriora-
ton, and the standard of society has
become exceedingly low. As Ii is the
duty of this ministry to improve the
moral condition OF the people we here
by point out the following causes of
deterIoration:
Early Marriages Weaken Nn3ion.
81. Early Understanding to
ancient custom a man could only
marry at thirty years OF age and
girl at twenty, and in Europe and
America the age OF marriage has also
been fxed by civil laws. The evils
At 81. ga a I'M
have always noticed young men be-
coming weak and enteebled and neg
lecting their studies simply because
they have been married too early.
Moreover. as a rule, the issue of such
marriages is always unhealthy, and
consequently the nation has become
weak and incapable OF accomplishing
anything. An modern scholars and
philosophers have unanimously con-
demned early marriages.
-. Funeral Rites and Ceremonies
For thousands of years China has
observed rites and traditions which
have kept mp our national spirit. AL
though the form OF state has been
altered we have the same society. In
our anxiety to introduce new rites We
must not forget the ones which have
been handed down 10 us by our faith
ers. According to our national Gus
tom. after the death OF parent a son
, must be in mourning three years. but
OF late people have tried to reduce
the period. The most surprising thing
Is that many have adopted foreign
customs. They assert that there is
no truth In the existence of departed
spirits, hence they have dispensed
with the custom of providing food In
the morning and evening for the spirit
of their deceased parents. They re-
fuse to wear coarse clothing. and try
to obiiterate the memory OF their pa
rents as soon as possible. These new
errors have become deeply rooted in
the minds of the people and wrought
a serious change in society. On the
other hand, there are many who be-
lieve in geomancy, and have delayed
interment OF their parents. Some
time ago this ministry submitted q set
Of regulations to the president on the
rites and ceremonies governing mar
riages and funerals but owing to the
disturbances In the country no time
could be spared to attend to such
matters.
No More Foot Binding.
-. The Practice OF Foot Binding
Last year this ministry issued a cir
cular instruction to all the police au-
thorities Of the country to enforce ths
prohibition of foot binding. and as 4
result OF the efforts OF the provinces
there liz now less fcot-binding In large
towns and cities. But In more seciud-
ed regions this practice has continued
as heretofore. Some say II 10 hard
to change time -honored customs. but
we believe that the continuation of
this practice is rather due to the fact
that local officials have not tried to ex-
plain the evils of this practice to VIII
L 10 ~ FnrefnnaYa
have laughed at us for allowing such
a practice, and we cannot help ac-
knowledging that 1t is a disgrace to
the republic. We do not mean to I'M
bind the feet of aged women, but we
have decided that such an evil prac-
tice should not be allowed in the
younger generation.
~. misunderstanding has al
ways been universally recognized az q
great curse to the country. Many
people have lost their proper occupa-
lions and have become thieves and
robbers while young men have been
led astray by the greed of gain. AZ
the end of the late Using dynasty gam
bling fiourished In every provinces. and
when Yuan Shi Kai became president
he did hts best to suppress 1t. He
did not achieve his object, but II Is
now our duty to continue carrying
out the task and to save society from
the evil.
THE above are the four cutstand-
ing causes OF the present deteriora-
ton of society. 1t Is requested that on
receipt Of this instructions be Issued
10 all districts ordering the local on
cials 10 cooperate with the gentry for
the upIift Of society"
Not Possible.