CHINE E ARISTOCRATS AND PLEBEIANS.
(Daily Press, November 16th.) The announcement that wasfrecently made to the effect that the EMPRESS DOWAGER had taken advice of her Counsellers as to the desirability of removing some of the dis- tinctive marks which have singled out those of Manchu birth from the Chinese, would appear at first sight to be encouraging as indicating a desire to remove at least one of the most obvious causes of discontent in China, the feeling, namely, that the country is governed by a foreign Dynasty. The idea seems to have been seized that the time has come for something of rapproche. mente etween the Manchu and the Chine e races; and that the Imperial Dynasty is not in reality strengthened by making it an entirely exclusive caste. Among other things it was stated that the notion has been mooted of making the daughters of some of the higher class Chinese eligible for marriage into the Imperial family- -a step which would certainly be an amount of liberalism on the part of the Chinese which would be ahead of what is found in sobie of the most advanced monarchies in Europe. This particular idea seems so contrary t the general trend of Chinese thought, that the statement must be accepted with great resei vation.
At the same time this is not a sufficient reason for concluding that the other parts of the reported discus- sion may not have taken place as stated, or that, in one form or another, the desir- ability of doing away with the privileges and outward distinction, which mark off the Manchus from the Chinese, has not taken place. The subject at all events must have ben pressed upon imperial con- sideration with much force by recent events. There can be no question that the necessity for some kind of reform is at last be ng felt at head quarters, and that it is recoguised that some changes must be introduced to bring the system of government more in harmony with the wishes of the people An anti-dynastic cry has always been a strong weapon in the hands of all revolu- tionary parties in China; and anything which will detract from the force of this means of exciting rebellion would be clearly an advantage, provided that the sacredness of the Imperial rule in the popular eye can still be preserved. This, at all events, is probably beginning to be recognised, but it is another question whether it will be possible to carry it out, seeing the strong class influence that will be brought to bear against any reform in this direction. The position in fact is very much the same as that of the Tear of Russia in respect to privileges of the Grand Dukes and higher nobility in that country. However liberally disposed the Tsar himself way be, he is met with a dead weight of opposition on the part of those whose privileges way be interfer- ed with.___ What has always occurred in such cases in Europe, may be taken as certain to arise in China, as buman nature in these respects is the same all over the world. At the same time there is reason to hope from many indications there have been of late, that the old ideas of Imperial exclusiveness have become materially modified; and if this course be carefully adhered to, au importaut step will have been taken towards mdiying and ultimately doing away with the standing discontent which has proved the source of so much trouble in the Celestial Empire, The idea ‹f excluding the EMPEROR almost, if not entirely, from popular views has become at least to some degrees modified, probably from seeing that a different course in Japan does not detract from the reverence
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PREŠS AND
with which the people at large regard the Mikado; and, if such a change is introduced in China at head quarters it will no doubt be imitated by the viceroys and other officials in the provinces, and much will be done to do away with the feeling that there is an impossible gulf between the com- monalty and the govering an upper classes, and the way to reform in a political direction will be greatly facilitated by s ich an advance in social relations. How far the discussions on the subject, as reported, are an accurate statement of what has occurred, is of course open to some question, but it may be safely concluded that the subject has been mooted in some form at head quarters, and this is, in itself, an encouraging feature. Time was when the idea of the governing classes yielding of their own motion even in the smallest degree, to the wishes of the profane vulgar, would be scoured at heal quarters as absurd.
CHINESE GAMMON,
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[November 25, 1907
of the alleged change of view is said to be the occupation of Peking at the time of the Boxer rising and what naturally occurs tồ those who know something of the history of political events in Obian, is why this wonderful discovery as to the superiority of Europeans, was not made when Peking was occupied by the Allies in 1860, which was a very much more startling illustration of the superiority" of foreign natious than that of 1900. So far from the Chine e havin recognise l
superiority on the part of European nations, we all know that they have persistently warmed themselves with the idea that there was DO inherent superiority in the foreigner, even in purely material power or knowledge; and that the Chinese, if they could only get hold of the weapons and learn a few of his tricks would be able to show themselves vastly his superior in consequence of their higher mental culture and abilities, and this has in reality always been the attitude of the Chinese mind and, in the main, remains its attitude to the present day. The Chinaman believes that there ar› a few
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(Daily Press, November 18th.) Although only too well known to be the things in the way of physical science that he most plausible people in the world, there are none who command more ready credence eigner, and that the result will necessarily may with advantage learn from the for-
to their utterances than the Chinese.
Iu be that he will become as superior to him what way they contrive to secure this confid. physically as, in his opinion, he always has ence is, to use the diction fashionable in been andglways will be mentally. In this ides the present day, a very interesting psycho- he is no little strengthened by recent event. logical study, or, to adopt that of few in Japan, which country, he has always re- years back it is a very striking illustration garded as in every way inferior to his own. of the force of " humbug generally." In If, by adopting foreign "methods" Japan whatever light the subtle power may be re- has risen to the position she occupies, garded-whether as personal magnetism what might not Chin. attain by the same or as simple gaшmou "—there can be no
process ? The argument doubt that the Chinaman possesse it in an perfectly clear to his mind; but unfor- a fortiori is eminent degree, and that with its aid he is tunately he is apt to overlook the all to influence ot only the careless and difficulties which lie in the way of the initi il credulous but many persons of accurate
Before foreign step.
metho.ls, observation and high general intelligence. Chinese choose to designate them, can be us the Probably the chief element in this power is adopted, China has to attain something of a certain delicate and covert Battery-an the political morale which characterises art in which our celestial friends pre-emin- Europen nations, which was possessed to a ently excul. A Chinaman of anything like large extent by Japan, but in which education or parts, always contrives to con. China is conspicuously lacking. When vey the impression to the person he desires Japan entered into her forward career to influence that that particular individuals was thoroughly united, and a spirit commands his very highest consideratiou. of patriotism pervadel the whole nation, He is far too refined to indicate this by which made it possible to introduce vulgar expressions of admiration-but, by th necessary reforms. It is at this deferential baring and respectful assent, that China has now to b gin-and the task be gradually instils into the mind of his is undoubtedly no easy one, and must be a hearer that be considers him a very superior work of many years. It is idle to suppose person and one to whom he can speak with that some su lden change will do perfect freedom, confidence and sincerity. the long standing defects of ines away with At all events, by this and other like arts, adininistration, and reform iu this direction there is no doubt that the Chinaman con-
must be a preliminary to her adopting trives to get himself believed when other foreign methods with any real advantage to men would be listened to with prudent herself. The recognition of this fact must reservation, and have their assertions
be the first stage of any effective awakening received with-at the very least-the pro- on the part of China, and it is to this point verbial grain of salt.
that she must, if sh is in earnest, direct her energies. Unless this be done, she will
An illustration of the manner in which
this power is exerted upon Europe as of marked intelligence and culture is give in the report which Lord WILLIAM CECIL, who was sent out to China as a delegate to study the religious movements going ou in China, recently gave in the Times. He mentions that Mouseigneur JARLIN of Peking stated to him that a Chinese gentleman had as serted that Before 1900 every China- man was convinced that he was superior to n European; after 1900 he is eon- vinced that he is inferior. " It is a pity that the exact Chinese words used by the Chinese gentleman are not givẻn, as the dictum is capable of being stated in that language in a pretty piece of antithesis which probably tickle the good Catholic Father, and helped him first to believe the statement and uext to retail it to the wondering Lord WILLIAM Croil. The cause
int
only awake from one dream, to fall into another.
Au extraordinary general meeting of the shareholders of the Grand Hotel, Ltd, loko hama, was held at the hotel on Nov. 5th and unanimously, on the dist uit. was gɔndemed the special resolation which was passed aasaimously. This resolation provides for an increase of the capita of the company to Y.1,0 11,00 by the creation of preference shares to the amount of Y,500,000 with oumulative right to dividends at the rate of eigħat'per cent. per annum. It provides also for an issue ot debentures to the amount of Y.800,000 at seveu per cent, për sanam to be secured by pledge of buildings are completed and furnished. Th the whole property as it will be when the new preference shares will be issued before building operations are begun, sad the deb-atures later us the reconstractiva goes on. The total cost of the new hot si ready for gaests is to be Y.1,300,000.
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