The Morgan City daily review., 1919-05-13
More Education from
Boxer Indemnify Funds

China's prominent educationists are
now celebrating upon the advisable
ity of appealing to President Wilson
and powerful European statesmen for
their assistance in making success
of the movement soon to be launched
in this country to secure the Boxer
indemnity for the education Of the
Chinese people, says Millard's Re-
view, of Shanghai. They would have
prepared a comprehensive education
al program for the whole country
long ago had they been assured Of
sufficient funds to carry it out. They
are now turning their attention to
the possibility Of obtaining consent
from the European peace conference
for the cancellation of the Boxer in
demnity so that it can be used to give
China a universal education. Many
enthusiastic scholars have even pro-
posed the dispatch of delegation to
America and Europe to explain to
the people there the great need of
education by the Chinese and the lack
of funds to meet that need. Their
representatives, it is understood,
have been in Peking trying to pre-
sent their case to the members of
the different legations in the most
favorable light. The Minister and
Westminster of Education are SYM
pathetic with their efforts, and are
doing everything possible to help
them to realize their sobejc+ There
is no question that many foreigners
knowing the educational need of Chi
ma will give the movement their un-
qualified supports realizing that it is
only through educating the masses
that China can. be saved. The pres
ent disorder in this country has been
partly due to the activities Of mis-
guided people who can be too easily
influenced by selfish politicions and
greedy officials on account Of their
lack of zeal education.
If the remaining Boxer indemnity,
amounting to over $3OO,0W,OOO, can
be used for educational purposes in
China for the next twenty years, no
better blessing can befall the people.
At the end of the period it is safe to
say that the majority of the people
will have rudiment Of learning. It
isr astonishing to know how much
good portion of the American share
OF the Boxer indemnity remitted BY
the American government in 1908
namely $l0785,286.12, has already
done to China and her people. Hun
dreds of Chinese students have been
educated in America with this fund.
anr have now returned to participate
in the creation of better conditions
1T home. Hundreds of them are still
studying in the United States, and
Hpon their return will further swell
the rank and file. of American-edu-
Gated Chinese. Everywhere one goes
one will meet returned students from
America. Thy are engaged in teach
ing, government service, and the
commercial and industrial delelop-
ment Of China. America is indirectly
benefited by these returned students |
IN the shape of increased trade, as |
they naturally prefer American
goods. They are ais fostering still
better relationship between the two
republics.
Many Chinese educationists, how
ever, entertain the fear that the diff
ferent foreign countries may return
their shares of the Boxer indemnity
separately with certain undesirable
conditions, which will most probably
introduce confusion into the Chinese
educational system. If any benefit
is to be derived from the use of the
Boxer indemnity for the education of
the people, all the nations concerned
should pledge themselves not to in
terfere with the Chinese educational
system after it has been endorsed BY
them Il is reported that the jap
anese government has already REL
turned its share of the indemnify to
China under secret agreemnt which
provides for the establishment Of
japanese schools throughout the
country and for the extensive intro
duction into China Of the japanese
educational system. II the report Be |
fsue, il appears = if Japan were MS
rs the Boxer indemnity - ! means
of Jspanising the Chinese. Any gift i
given to China under similar condi-
lions = not welcomed By the Chinese, !
= natter how hard pressed they may
n 16r ed1estion fands.