January 18, 1906.1
however good, to misconstruction; and we hope that they will think seriously of re- suming their labours on more scriptural lines; that is to say, without dragging in helpers who have, as we have seen, always to bear the brunt of the worst kinds of opposition.
A new point suggested in our correspon- dence from Shanghai seems to be one arising from the claims for compensation, which H.E. CHOU Fu declares are improper, as the foreigners do not allow the Chinese authorities to send in soldiers to preserve order in the Settlement. This is a shrewd and characteristic stroke, none the less hard to answer because its fallacy is felt, rather than seen, by all who know the kind of order that attends the ministrations of Chinese "braves." It seems prima facie just to that if the foreigners insist upon nintaining order themselves, they should not expect the Chinese to pay for their failure. No such claims would have been made it the Chinese had left them the unimpeded control; but we know how jealously the officials have kept thrusting their fingers into the pie; and there is also the suggestion that they had a good deal to do with fomenting the disorder. The argument, however, is but one more illus tration of the anomalous state of things at Shanghai.
say
INDIVIDUALISM IN THE ARMY.
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CHINA OVERLAND 1RADE REPORT. picture of one extreme will be recognised
here:-
ર
with him. No one can deny that the educated Chinaman has an amount of ceremonibus politeness which would com- pare favourably with that of other nations;- but few who are really acquainted with the Chinese can fail to see that it is of a very There is a certain superficial nature. exaggeration about it, which at once has the effect of making it hollow. People may, in a kindly and generous way, con- sider others honourable, but they don't as a rule consider themselves contemp. claim any
"Modern warfare demands initiative and self-reliance in every member of a fighting force; but whatever responsibility is now necessarily accorded the soldier in the field he has none in the routine of barrack life. He still is treated as the helpless grown child, need ing constant supervision; scarcely any military act of Lis, from “reveille" to "lights out," is done except under superintendense. In the senseless orchestra drowning the individual voice the bugle is predominant. Imagine dur- ing the wakeful sixteen hours the blurting datible; capo of a minimum of thirty-six routine bagle. calls, augmenting non-commissioned officers' commands and the barrack closk or gong, and pity, above the executant and harassed c'orks and pay-sergeants, the s-lf-reliant individual who must respond. Should this individual wish to go to hospital, or be discharged thers from, should he desire to proceed to town or on furlough, should he (conceivably without desire) perform scullery or other domestic labour, draw his rations, his coal, or bis kit, or wish to approach bis officer (efen, iu some regiments, his sergeant major), he must consult, be in- spected, accompanied, and supervised by a non- commissioned officer, as applicable to the oare usually all four conditions; at his meals he is inspected; the seasons even the air at nights, are studied for him to prevent his going insufficiently clothed; he is told how often he must bathe. In each of these performances he will be still further guided by o rtain subsidiary garrison, rogimental, and company orders."
more mischief than its neglect. In these days of democracy and general education, there is no doubt that it is repugnance to the idea of losing individualism in the machine that makes recruiting difficult. Apparently unnecessary and irksome regula. tions are bound to frighten good men away. But there is a very real danger in the opposite extreme, which "Ex-Non-Com." ignores.
CHINESE POLITENESS.
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dor do persons with to patriotism deem their country un- worthy and some other country entitled to unlimited admiration. When, therefore, it is considered necessary in conversation to refer to one's contemptible self and country. there is a false note from the very beginning, and anything in the way of falseness or insincerity may fairly be deemed in. compatible with true politeness. therefore, merely by their conventional customs, the Chinese cannot be considered
as
Taken
models of politeness, and the not unkindly satire of the good ABBE may to this extent be considered fully justified. At the same time, it is not to be denied that Chinamen of anything like rank or educa tion will seldom be found wanting in tht They are essentials of good manners. quick to perceive what is pleasing or whae may be offensive to those with whom they have intercourse, and will seldom be found. to commit gaucheries, of which many who look upon them with complaisant contempt are often guilty. If we put aside the form and accept the spirit of Chinese politeness, it will be seen that there is, after all, some- thing to be learnt from it. Making little- of oneself and as much as possible of those with whom we have intercourse is not altogether a bad code as to social amenity, and this is what the rather ponderous system of Chinese etiquette practically indicates. It is not necessary to call our- selves contemptible, but a form of intercourse which reminds us that we should abstain from undue self-assertion is not without its uses In the same way it is not necessary to tell everyone with whom we may come in contact that we consider him honourable. but we have very high authority for hon, ouring all men. Thus the Chinese social code, though antiquated in form, may serve
as a useful reminder of principles in themselves and sound which are which are apt to be overlooked without something to remind one of them. In the present days of self-assertion and self-adver- tisement, it may possibly be at times not without benefit to remember the rough and ready forms of Chinese address. They are in fact a species of A.B.C. of politeness, which is worthy of some study, if its inner meaning is seized. We need not consider ourselves contemptible, much less need we declare that to be our estimate of ourselves ; buta little of the humility which is suggested by the Chinese formula may at times add considerable grace to our dealings with our fellow-men. In this matter, as in so many others, the error of the Chinese is in cling- In European ing to antiquated forms, countries in former times the rules of etiquette were far more rigid than they have become of late years. Anyone who adopted the stiff style of the eighteenth century in the present day would be looked upon as insincere and pedantic. The heavy com- pliments to the nobility and to people in office which were then in vogue would be At the same time, there justly laughed at. are few who would deny that the old- fashioned courtesy taught a lesson which bad its value; and which formed the basis upon which courtesy of a higher character
This suppression of individualism (and of self-respect sometimes, as where petty offenders are tried and punished simultane ously with "the drunken soldier or barrack (Daily Press, 10th January.)
room thief") is held by " Ex-Non-Com.” to Our Hamburg correspondent recently militate against efficiency, and to make the treated us to an interesting resumé of the service less popular than it might be. So military philosophy of FREDERICK the much may reasonably be said; but he Great. Since its appearance, we have received contends that these exercises in discipline the December number of Mr.JOHN MURRAY's impair discipline. This will be opposed. Monthly Review, in which Ex-Non-He means, probably, that as in the case of Com," has a number of deeply interesting physical culture, its overdoing may work observations to make. First we may quote a general observation, which will not be swallowed whole in Hongkong. In the Russian and Turkish armies,' the writer says, "the unreasoning ignorance of the masses makes for self sacrificing devotion in war, and perfection of discipline always; in Japan patriotism suffices to absorb self; in Germany the military system has been made cohesive by a Draconic rigour and the cruelties of casie. But it is now evident that what answered in the days of FRED ERICK the Great is failing in these days of enlightenment and broadcast principles;
(Daily Press, 11th January.) we are told that democracy is gnawing at ABBE Huc, with one of his inimitable the root of German military discipline and touches of satire, in speaking of a piece of efficiency; we have evidence that the same ultra-ceremoniousness on the part of a thing is manifesting itself in the French Chinese Mandarin exclaimed that really Army. If, then, in conscript armies the one might imagine oneself in Paris. growth of thought does not harmonise with Whether he meant to admire or to depre- military rule, the discord must be even cate the peculiar politeness of the official more pronounced in the case of a voluntary in question he left to the decision of his army, the discipline in which owes nothing readers. The question has long been to the factors above-mentioned." In the debated whether the Chinese are really British army. we are told, "there is entitled to be considered police. The popu substantial evidence of practical unrest lar idea in England is no doubt largely among the rank and file." Twenty-two per influenced by GOLDSMITH's description of cent. of the courts-martial held in 1904 the Citizen of the World; and many people were for desertion, and seven thousand have taken the character there set forth of the 46,000 returned as "non-effective of the refined philosophical traveller in were deserters. In the other voluntary foreign parts very much more seriously than army, that of America, ten per cent. of the the sprightly writer intended. Curiously recruits deserted in recent years. It is a enought the genius of GOLDSMITH hit off pity that the writer, who desiderates in many of the Chinese characteristics with dividualism in the ranks, did not include niore accuracy than he was probably aware the Chinese soldier in this survey. He has of himself. If the Citizen of the World always been accustomed to think for were a specimen of all educated Chinese, himself, and it has not made him a good we should have little ground to complain soldier. His apologists say that he would of them; and so far as mere external he better if more thinking were done for conduct goes the Citizen of the World is, with him, and on his behalf. There is no doubt slight allowance for the exaggeration of a O happy mean somewhere; but "Ex-Non-humorous writer, not a bad specimen of aom.” does not guide us to it. His vivid the average Chinese as we are familiar
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