458
REFORM IN CHINA,
It would appear, from the memorial got up and signed by upwards of a thousand of the chu-jen to the Emperor KWANG SU just before the ratification of the Treaty of Peace between China and Japan, that there are after all some would-be reformers in the Central Kingdom. This remarkable docu- ment, a translation of which has beeu reprinted in our columns from our Shanghai | morning contemporary, not only strongly urged the continuance of hostilities, but boldly recommended a long series of reforms, the adoption of half of which would revolu- tionisc China. The programme was
ex- ceedingly comprehensive, and embraced such material improvements as the establish- ment of a disciplined army, the construction | of railways, the opening of mines, the forma tion of Banks and Post Offices. It also suggested the foundation of collegeş, schools | and public libraries, agricultural reforms, schools for technical training, provision for the indigent, the establishment of news papers and magazines, and a reform in the | system of education. Finally it advocated a system of religious instruction, in the tenets of CONFECirs, in order to arrest the development of foreign religious, and that officials should be sent to travel abroad to acquire knowledge of foreign countries. It also suggested, in a rudimentary way, the establishment of something in the nature of a representative hudy, elected by the people, to discuss public affairs with the ExPEROR at Peking.
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THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
[December 19, 1895.
serious side is the impassable wall of sepa- | dustrial capabilities her foreign trade ration it has been built up between the will increase rapidly and indefinitely Chinese and foreigners.
and may even overtake that of the Great Indian Empire. If any reply were wanted to the doleful prognostications that are some times heard none better could be given than a reference to India, where there is also cheap labour and where modern machinery has for many years past been in full work under skilled direction. In that country we find that side by side with internal development and increase in her producing powers there has been an increase also in her imports of foreign goods. The
It is to be feared that any step in the direction of progress and reform likely to be initiated will be terribly handicapped by this peculiar illusion held by the Chinese literates, and which is more (T less an article of faith among the mass of the people of the immense superiority of China | over all other lands and of the Chinese over all other peoples. If for a moment, moved thereto by an overpowering sense of the danger to which China is exposed by her weakness, the ruling class consent to the
same thing is seen in introduction of reforms and improvements Japan. But it may be said that this is there is always the langer of an almost im- merely temporary, that the imports of ma mediate reaction. No sooner has a Im- chinery may for a time more than make perial Decree heen issued authorising the up for the decline in the imports of other survey for a railway or the construction of goods, but that as soon as the Asiatic a section of the proposed line, than some countries have fully equipped themselves Censor or influential official is sure
for the industrial struggle the advantage to launch a spirited memorial diferted they possess in cheap labour will render against it. For instance, although the them independent of Europe. But the com- Emperor and his Council are for the petition of cheap labour is no new thing for: moment favourable to the extension of tail- England. Wages on the Continent have ways in various parts of the Empire, Lr Pixo- always been lower than in England, but HENG, the Governor of Shantung, qu in English industry has been able to hold its fluential man renowned for the purity of own notwithstanding, and it will be able to his administration, rushes into the breach do the same in regard to cheap Asiatic with a petition against the innovation so labour. Our interest is most deci ledly to strongly worded and argued out that it is sec China rich and prosperous, not poor and alleged to have produced a sudden and stagnant. A reference to a table showing rapid cooling of the enthusiasm of Pking British exports to foreign countries will at officials in the matter, and may have a re- once prove this. Even little Belgium, with tarding effect upon the progress of railway its six million inhabitants, with an industrial construction. His Imperial Majesty the organisation scarcely inferior to that of Eng- Emperor Kwasg St, who is said to have land, is a better customer for English goods been favourable at one time to outspoken | than China, with its three hundred millions. language on the part of officials, has lately The United States, the wealthiest and most shown great and marked intolerance of progressive country in the world, is a cus- criticism of the acts of the Imperial fily,tomer for English goods to the extent of and has banished two of the Vice-Presidents over forty millious sterling, Germany) takes of the Boards of Civil Appointments and nearly thirty millions, France over twenty Revenue respectively for the use of what he millions, Holland over fifteen millions, Bei- terins disparaging language when referring gium about twelve millions, and near the to the conduct of the Empress Dowager, Tottom of the list comes China with less The Censors are in theory eneutraged to than ten millions. The more China pro- denounce abuses or to eriticise any policy |gresses the more wants she will develop, the which may seem to them opposed to the the more money she will have to spend, and interests of the state, but as a patter fact the greater will be her imports. their liberty to speak out soon ceases if they fall foul of any member of the Imperial family or of any potential Minister. The present administration consists of a number of colossal shams, and it is to he feared that all schemes of reform, no matter how pro- mi-ing, are really at bottom more of less waiting in honesty and reality.
THE OPENING OF CHINA, AND
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THE MILITARY CONTRIBUTION AND MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT.
The last is a rather vague suggestion, the mere adumbration of a representative as sembly perhaps, but the idea is there, and shows that in the minds of this thousand scholars some notion of legislation by re- presentatives of this people is simmering, The fact is hopeful, possibly promising, but it would be idle for the friends of China to build much upon such an evidence of life in the dry rot of the holy politie. Patriotism of a very conservative type is at the bottom | of the memorial. The' desire to see the disgrace indicted upon the nation by the valour and ability of Japan wiped out is the moving spring then has impelled these clonjen, to so far abandon all their traditions and set aside their prejudices' as to advocate the adoption of a programme that we may readily believe conflicts with some of their most carefully cherished beliefs and that if carried into effect would shatter their dearest illusions to pieces for ever. The dislike of the foreigner is patent through the mento- rial; the proposed adoption of so DRUHY institutions of foreign origin in nowise modifies the spirit of antagonism against the THE PROSPECTS OF TRADE, Western peoples. Foreigners are alluded to as "the harbitrous nations and the "bar-
Although England for the last half barians," and it is suggested that with the century has been consistently working for aid of Confucianism they would be able to the opening up and progress of China, civilise the barbarian. There is thus, it will
now that the importation of machinery is be seen, little appreciation of the source permitted and an industrial development from whence the reforms proposed are to he scents to be at last setting in the movement drawn. The educated Chinese-that is to is not hailed with universal satisfaction, say, the Chinese who are saturated with the there being some marrow minded pessimists lore of their sages, and especially of Cox- who foresee in it the destruction of English FUCIUS-can see nothing to admire in the trade with the Ear East. With cheap labour learning of Western countries, and only and adorn machinery will not China, it under the dire pressure of necessity can be is asked, be able to supply herself and brought to recognise the policy of acquiring surrounding countries with the articles that the scientific knowledge admittedly possessed, have hitherto been imported from Europe, by the foreign devils. From the altitude and then what chance will the manufac-dreamt of levying a percentage on that re of their own fancied mental superiority the turers of Lancashire have? The answer is Chinese look down with supercilious con- that the more wealthy and more progressive tempt upon those outside barbarians who are uninstructed in their classics and have had the misfortune to belong to "another nation." Of course there is a comical side to this dense conceit, but the
a country becomes the greater its foreign trade. Changing conditions will call for adaptation on the part of manufacturers and merchants, but if China really sets about the development of her vast resources and in-
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the meeting of the Legislative Council on The most important subject dealt with at
Saturday was the vote for the military con- tribution, though it can perhaps hardly be called the most interesting, as the result was a foregone conclusion. The duty of the un- officials to oppose the vote was plain and they had no difficulty in marshalling facts and figures to demonstrate the injustice of the demand that has been made upon the colony. None of the official members had a word to say in defence of it and presumably their sympathies were with the opposition, but they were required by their position to support the vote, which was consequently carried by the official majority. The colony will now, be able to realise its loss in hard cash as well as in good government by not having a Municipal Council. Had such a Council been in existence, with its own revenue, as in the Straits Settlements, the Imperial Government would never have venue for military purposes. The local Goy- ernment, however, appear to be as strongly opposed as ever to the granting of local repre- sentation, whether in the form of an increase in the number of unofficial members of the Legislative Council or the establishment of a Municipal Council. The Hon. T H.
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