54
CONFUCIAN REVIVAL,
SAGE BANKED WITH HEAVEN AND EARTH,
A Chinese Imperial Decree dated December 30th is thus franslated :—" In view of the supreme excellence of the great sage Coufneins whose virtues equal heaven and earth and make him worthy of the adoration of a myriad ages, it is the desire of ber Imperial Majesty the Empress Dowager Tze Hsi, etc., that the great sage shall in future be accorded thetame sacrificial ceremonies of worship accorded to heaven and earth when sacrifice is paid by the Emperor. Let the yamên concerned take note of this."
Concerning this Decres the North China Herald remarks:
seen.
he
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
chains them body and soul to the past. For China's real welfare and advaitement there could not perhaps be a more regrettable more. ment than this sudden elevation of the great sage to the rank and position of a very god, and we cannot but fear that the Edict will operate adversely to the spread of Christianity just as some of the fruit of the higher doctrine was apparently beginning to
The recent observanc、 of Confucian rites in the official schoo's bas been watched with some anxiety by uative Christians and those educated Chinese who, if not setive Christians themselves, recognise in Christianity | the highe t standard of morality which has yet been presented to the world, and are well coutout to see its ever increasing influence in their country. But Christianity spells sustained and continual effort; it spells opposition to all that a fat and corrupt officialdom loves and clings to, and it spells above all at the present moment foreign influence, and we greatly fear that underlying the present movement the wholly fatuous idea is at work that in keeping out the foreigner and all his works lies China's only way of salvation."
SLAVE HUNTER KILLED.
EXCITING SCENE ON A HOLLANDEE 3 AN-OF-WAR.
3
From Celebes comes news of an amok in which a slave dealer, after some excitement, lost his life. The island of Mons, which lies off the coast. of Calebes, has been for some time a favourite resort for slave hunters, who periodically raided the inhabitants. Matters
"The tendency of modern times is against the maintenance of State religions, and it would seem at all events somewhat late in the day-half way into the third decennium since the death of the sage for China to set up Confucianism on a plane equivalent to that implied in the words at the head of this note. Yet that is the reading which is given in some foreign circles to the remarkable Decree issued recently from Peking, ordering rites similar to those performed to the deities of Heaven and Earth to be offered henceforth to the memory of Confucius. The Decree should perhaps be read more intimately with the other instructions which have been given for the establishment of schools, colleges and universities in the uative city of the sage to propagate bis grand teach. ings and to enlighten the people with his wis dom." It is significaut that the orders in con- nection with the foundation of these schools are committed to Viceroy Chang Chihtung, who is to be provided with Tls. 100,000 from the Shan-becams so bad that a Hollander man of war was tung provincial treasury for the work. Viceroy Chang, as is well-known, is an ardent Con- fucianist, and, up to his lights, is no less ardent an educationist. The Decree may be consider ed as the result of repeated urgings on his part and, to that extent, they are, doubt, a counterblast to the movements
Bo al! over China for education in Western sciences and on modern lines. It is a perfectly reasonable idea, and one that is held by many of the more enlightened officials of China, as well as by some who are, unhappily, less public-spirited, that in the craving for modern knowledge, the classics, which have been, and in à sense remain, China's chiefest glory. should not be allowed to fall into contempt. There need be nothing more than a conservatism in this organized and official recognition of Confucianism. The leaven of the new learning has spread too widely to be hindered, and some of the extravagances which have followed inevitably on the inrush of fresh ideas may be moderated by this rehabilita- tion of the ancient wisdom."
LE
W180
The Peking and Trentsin Times says of it:
It may be pointed out that by Grand Sacri. fice is meant the same as usually offered by the Emperor in person at the Altars of Heaven and Earth, and this Edict would apparently signify the formal adoption by the Throne of Confu- oianism as the State religion. As everyone who has studied Chinese history at all is aware, China never has had what we understand as a national religion. She has had on the contrary several systems of ethics which appear to have enjoyed an impartial following, though with the educat ed
despatched to the scene of the depredations. The attention of the Controller and sold ers was directed towards a notorious character named Masinale who was soon arrested, tried, convicted and sentenced to seven years' bard labour. His punishment was to be undergone at Macassar and he was, accordingly, placed on board the war vessel.
night the prisoner was successful in freeing On the way there was trouble, and one
himself of his handcuffs. obtained possession of a
He somehow knife and stabbed the sentry. Picking up the wounded man's rifle, the prisoner tired at the guard, who the rifle was rusty and would not go off. were enjoying a quiet game of cards, but This prisoner who retaliated with the knife, and he gave the guard a chance to fall upon the succeeded in stabbing three of them. Meanwhile the Controller arrived upon the scese and gave the prisoner a blow on the head.
The ship's steward seized 0:10 prisoner's legs and laid him flat on the deck, of the
and then it was easy work to bayonet him
to death.
The Governor of Celebes gare the steward a reward of one hundred guilders for his
action.
PHILIPPINO-JAPANÈSE ASSOCIATION.
TO PROMOTE FRIENDLY RELATIONS AND TRADE.
16
A Philippino-Japanese Association has been formed at Takyo
to promote friendly relations between the two peoples and to facilitate com- mercial relations between the two neighbouring island countries. ' Among the promoters of the new association are Messrs. Oishi, Muksi, and Hasebs.
Some of the regulations of the association are as follows:-
classes Confucianism bas in later years been gradually perhaps receiving more at- tention, and it is well known that for some time past it has been part of the official programme to have some special religion recognised. The doctrine of Confucius is a practical, colourless code of moral ethics, devoid of any lofty standard of unattainable ideals, and based on the ancestral reverence which has unconsciously become second nature with the Chinese, offers the line of least resistance in religions thought and effort, and is therefore the most commendable in official eyes for adop tion by the State. It does not moreover bristle with prohibitive injunctions, nor burden with requirements which the Chinese are not naturally inclined to bear. It is an easy
3-The Association will recommend the religious code which permits of respect of fostering and extension of navigation between persons especially those most intimately | the two countries. connected with the personal interests, while on "4.—The Association the other hand with the most illogical contradio- tion it enslaves its followers to the dead and
1.-The Headquarters of the Association are to be situated in Tokyo and a branch in Manils, "2—The Association will publish a magazine in the Japanese, English and Spanish languages in which all matters concerning commerce and science will be reported.
will make efforts
|
(January 26, 1906.
OPIUM POURPARLERS.
WILL BRITISH MERCHANTS BE COMPENSATED?
to state whether the Chinese Government is The British Ministèr has asked the Waiwupu
prepared to pay an indemnity to those British merchants, who have antil DOW imported Indian opium. and who will suffer in future by the prohibition of further imports.
THE OPIUM TRAFFIC.
telegram, which
The following is the letter referred in our
Consul-General
was forwarded to H.B.M.'s at Shanghai, Sir Pelham Warren.
4,
Sir,The proposals recently made by the Chinese Government to prohibit the consump tion of Opinm in China are naturally of such great importance to us British Merchants who deal in this commodity that we think we are entitled to the earliest information as to what is proposed to be done in the matter by H.B.M. Government.
It may be known to you that India exports to China
every year about 75,000 chests of Opium of value of about Tis. 50,000,000., and the whole trade is carried ou by the British Merchants, who at the present moment hold enormous stooka in Shanghai and Hongkong, the value of which may be roughly put down at Tls. 10,000,000. The magnitude of these figures speaks for itself, and makes it obvious how our
templated changes. interests must be affected by the sudden con-
Though we claim no voice on the question of
heard as to the manner in which such extinction the extinction of the trade, we do claim to be
should be carried out. It is most important losses on us, the suppression of the trade should that in order not to entail heavy and ruinous
be carried out gradually, and any measures that merchants to work off their stocks in hand or are framed should give ample time to the
contracted for. We feel confident that the British Authorities will not refuse to accept representations and suggestions from those so heavily interested, and specially qualified to give them.
When it is known definitely what regulations will be pat ia force, wo merchants Cau provide accordingly, sad the trade, though dwindling, will be carried on according to circumstances. For this reason, if for no other, we ask that we should be informed as soon as possible of the views of H.B.M. Government.
We therefore ask you as the representative of H.B.M. Government in Shanghai to bring these our requests to the notice of the proper Authorities and hope that an early reply may be given to us,
We are,
your obedient, servants, David Sassoon & Co., Ld., E. D. Sassoon & Co., S. J. David & Co., Cawasjes, Palanjee & Co., E. Pabáney, Abdoolally Ebrahim & Co., Tata & Co., R. 8. N. Talati & Co., Talati & Co., P. B. Petit & Co, M. M. B. Afshar & Co., D. E. J. Abraham, Isaac Ezra & Co.
ADMINISTRATIVE-EXPERIMENTS IN COCHIN-CHINA.
News from Saigon announce an important administrative experiment in Cochin-China. Âu order by the Governor-General divides Cochin- China into two areas of "inspection of civil services. " The inspection will be exercised by an in-pector of civil services or so administrator of the first class assisted by a native oficial of high rank. The provinces forming a “circon. scription or inspection are grouped with regard to ethnological and geographical considerations and facility of communiostions. They will retain their antonomy under the direct authority of the chief of the local administration. This change is effected with a view to the introduction of ameliorations and improvements in the administrative services in the provinces, particularly on the subject of the native administration, in deferance to the wishes expressed during the last session of the Superior Council by the native members.,
The Governor General is studying the towards the establishment of banks and in- extension of this system to Tonkin, Annam and 'surance in Manili"
Cambodia.
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