October 16, 1905.]
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT,
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255
Manchuria, was so unassailable that it had gain some instructions from the Japanese, Lessons coming from such a source must to be accepted by Russia, however un- but there is too much ground to fear that have far greater weight than they can palatable it might be to ber. In other she will in this instance, as in so many possibly have when taught by the ablest directions probably not less important, other previous instances, endeavour only to Europeans, whose knowledge of the Chinese America has exercised a strong influence obtain specific knowledge in particular classics and sympathy with Chinese modes on the course of events, and there is no directions in the hope that it may be of use of thought is, of course, doubt that she and Great Britain have been
limited as compared to her in strengthening her position in deal with that of the Japanese, who in their day all along in accord as to the policy which ing with foreigners, but with no idea of have taken all that was good from Chinese foreign nations generally should adopt in learning anything from Europeaus, which civilization; and, as time went on, have the Far East. There is every reason to may enable the Chinese to improve their abandoned or modified it in favour of the believe this influence will be continued. intellectual tone and internal administra more enlightened ideas of Western nations As things have turned out, it is proved that tion, and thus raise the status of China as a-who, in fact, have solved the problem it must be of very doubtful advantage to whole. It is noticeable that, in referring to which the more advanced thinkers in China any foreign nation to attempt territorial the subject, the Chinese always speak of are now essaying. That some such effect conquest in China; and Japan has shown foreign methods, never of foreign principles. is being produced, there is evidence, in the that she will oppose anything of the kind They are too fully convinced of the super- fact that Japanese teachers are being which may threaten her interests. Thus iority of their country in regard to the latter employed in many hundreds of schools in the policy of leaving China alone, with to imagine that anything can possibly be learnt China. This at least shows that the Chinese which the United States has been for long from outsiders in this respect. It might are alive to the necessity of obtaining kuow- identified, has in effect become accepted be thought that what they have seen of late ledge from the West; but everything must generally; and this fact will tend to in a neighbouring country would to some depend upon the spirit in which it is strengthen American influence still further.extent have disillusioned them, and that received. If the Chinese can be rouse by It is no doubt due in some degree to this their conceit would give way before un- their Japanese instructors to go to the root change in the position of affairs that deniable facts. But it is clear that, as yet, of matters and to endeavour to extract from Washington was chosen as the seat of the they have learnt very little in this direction; the civilization of the West its true peace negotiations. It was felt, by Japan and that it will be only by very slow principles, instead of confining themselves at all events, that the policy which would degrees that auy radical improvement in to merely trying to better the instruction most commend itself to her and also to internal administration can be hoped for. by infusing it into their own system, there foreign nations was that which was most At the same time it is encouraging to find is room for hope that by degrees a change in accordance with American views; and that the Rev. Mr. BITTON recognises some will be wrought in the Chinese mind which though Russin naturally had some objection indications that the Chinese are not so may open the door to salutary reforms, both to the place chosen, she wisely acquiesced blindly attached to their classics as they political and moral. It is possible that the in what would tend most to the attainment were formerly. He states that "in the minds Japanese may have sufficient influence with of the object in view. In the future there of the younger generation, and the more them to induce them so to approach the is no doubt that American views will intelligent of the older, there has come the subject in this spirit, in which case favour- become an increasingly important factor in suspicion deepening into conviction that in able results may in time he looked for. regard to questions in the East; and in the the crucial test of foreign relationship Con- Certainly this is the only direction in which main they were much the same as those of fucianism has failed them, and they must there seems to be a gleam of hope. Foreign Great Britain; that is, while every look outside for the needed strengthening nations have failed; but Japan may endeavour will be made to secure all legiti-ideas." This is, no doubt, true; but un- possibly, for the reasons above indicated, be mate improvements in foreign relations
able to convince the Chinese that if they with China and Japan, and towards the
wish to maintain their position among the internal improvement of the former, the
nations they must endeavour to acquire n idea of anything in the way of territorial
real knowledge of the principles upon which conquest by any one nation will not be
modern civilization is founded; and adapt entertained, at all events while matters
them (as the Japanese themselves have continue as they are at the present time.
done) to the circumstances and require- ments of their own country.
EDUCATION IN CHINA.
(Daily Press, 10th October.) An account which is given by the Rev. W. NELSON BITTON, in a recent number of East
CHINA AND MANCHURIA.
(Daily Press 11th October).
fortunately it is equally true that they still adhere to the false principles of government which are derived from the classics with unabated tenacity. So long as they keep to their habit of striving to bring every new piece of knowledge within the limits of the principles of their defective philosophy, there can be little hope that they will materially advance. This, however, bas been their habit from time immemorial, and the belief that nothing can be worthy of aucient Chinese nuthority is still generally serious study that has not the stamp of
adhered to. For this reason it is not and West, us to the present state of Chinese surprising that progress has been slow. Ir is not a thing of usual occurrence to education must be disappointing to those Mr. BITTON points out that "in almost all have to blame the Chinese, especially in who have of late been hoping they could at instances it has been the case that colleges haste. Perhaps the late attempt at boycott- matters diplomatic, of acting with undue last see some signs of improvement in for Western knowledge in China have been China from within. Time was when the unsuccessful unless under the direction of ing American goods may be an instance majority of persons best capable of judging foreigners," and he notes pertinently that a
where haste has been justified by results," despaired of ever seeing any great advance type of official, nominally in sympathy with but even here it is doubtful if a little more originating among the Chinese themselves. foreign institutions but in reality ant: circumspectness would not have been equally Latterly, however, people of a more sanguine foreign in spirit, has within the last few efficacious in bringing about the desired disposition had begun to hope that there
result. years turned towards Japan as the place
We have every respect for the were indications of some definite progress. where China can send her youth without desire of the Chinese Government to get It has been not unnaturally considered spoiling their Confucian idealisu." rid of its unwelcome Russian guests in likely that the object lesson which was pre-estimates that there are at the present time sented by Japan would have its influence Some two thousand Chinese thus studying upon the Chinese, especially as the latter in Japan; but he is not by any means have been seeking instruction from their active and intelligent neighbour and seemed sanguine as to the results, and looks upon end it has in view.
at last to recognise that they might share in the advantages which Japan has secured through her careful study of foreign ways, both political and scientific. It must, indeed, have become clear to the more enlightened among the Chinese that, if it could only act in the same way, similar benefits might be obtainable by their country; and this fact once realised it was not too much to hope that they would be induced to give up some of their antiquated ideas and strike out a new and more practical course for them- selves. There seems, however, too much reason to conclude that any such change must at best be one of very slow develop ment. No doubt China is endeavouring to
the movement as a passing phase
He
ducing dangers which inevitably spring from a little knowledge."
|
Manchuria, but we feel anything but assured wish to be at once relieved of the presence that in pressing on Russia and Japan its
of the alien troops it is really advancing the It would be well for chalence and apparent indifference to Rus- pro- China to remember that her own non-
sia's very evident desire to make herself perfectly at home along her northern frontiers was the main thing that en- couraged that Power in her encroachment; and that had it not been for Japan's promp- titude in taking up the gage which she found literally lying at her feet, uncared for and unnoticed by Chino, Russia at the present moment would have been in un- challenged possession of Moukden and all eastern Manchuria. It is not too much to say, in the words of the old dwellers in Syria, that the stars in their courses are fighting for China; and that her wisest
No doubt past experience goes far to justify the fears thus expressed; but at the same time it is open to question whether Mr. BITTON does not somewhat under- estimate the effect likely to be produced, even upon (Chinese stolidity, by coming in contact with minds almost as well acquainted as their own with their own system of morals and philosophy, and yet able accurately to grasp the full value, not only of the material science, but of the political, moral and, to some extent at least, also the religious systems of Western nations
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