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CHINA AND HER TEACHERS.
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"The
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
deal more than what she taught them, and thus be in a position to meet her with effect, should events at any time take a turn in that direction. In this, the Chinese will probably find themselves mistaken, as the Japanese are quite as quick as the Chinese in mastering facts, aud know much better how to apply them. The likelihoo, how ever, is that the Japanese will be able to make it evident to Chira that it is to her true interest to work with foreign natious in place of constantly opposing them; and should China once learn this lesson, there will be hope of a better state of things for her both internally and in her relations with foreign Powers. The reactionary party in China may hope that a combination with Japan will form a security against the encroachments of any European nation either in the direction of China or of Japan, and may carry this idea to the length of looking to the day when it may yet be possible to get rid of the foreigner altogether and for the East to be left free to manage her own affairs in Eastern, that is, as far as China is concerned. Chinese fashion. Such an aspiration, however, involves a nixing of oil with water, as Japan is certain to continue in the course upon which she has entered; and will prefer to continue to advance with foreign nations than
to combine with China in what she knows must in the end prove a fruitless opposition to them, though it might for a time work serious mischief. It may be reasonably surmised that the better informed Chinese officials, especially those at Peking, where they come
with foreign diplomatists and are likely to have the true facts of the situation impressed upon them, are alive to this bearing of the question and are wise enough to see that by friendly relations with apa they will best secure their own interests, and be enabled by degrees to themselves uphold the policy which the majority of foreign nations are in favour of, namely, that of preserving the integrity of China and still maintaining reasonable and friendly com. mercial relations with the outside world.
into contact
(Daily Press, 14th May.) Referring to the fact that the German officers who were recently employed in the Chinese Army have been dismissed and their places filled up by Japanese, the Frankfort Gazette assigns two reasons for the step which has been taken. Chinese", it says, "and specially those who are being stirred by the newly-awakened sense of nationality, prefer the yellow man to the white, with whose services they are always glad to be able to dispense, and secondly, the Japanese officer, while dis- tinguished for zeal and practical efficiency, is content with more modest remuneration than his European rival". No doubt both these reasons have influenced the Chinese in the step which they have ten, but there are others which are not referred to by the Frankfort Gazette which there is good reason to believe have had their effect. The Chinese have had reason to doubt whether they might not find themselves opposed to Germany, now that she is no longer likely to be restrained either by Russia or by Great Britain; and they are uot disposed be dependent for their military knowledge upon a Power with whom there is any possibility or at least any reasonable likelihood of their coming into conflict. No doubt this contingency is over-estimated by the Chinese, but, in view of what has of late been going on in Europe, It is one which they may naturally be supposed to have taken into account. This, however, is probably by no means the only consideration which has induced them to make the change. It has always been found that the Chinese flatter themselves they can get rid of those who are employed to teach them at a very early stage. So soon as they have mastered a few rudiments of the matter they desire to learn, they fondly believe they understand it com pletely, and that they themselves will know best how to turn it to practical use. Of course, in this they are generally mistaken, and in a few years they unlearn all that has been taught them. They may have been iufluenced by considerations such as these; and we can understand their dismissing the Geru.au officers in the same way that they have dismissed many others from the time of Gordon to the present day. What, however, is worthy of notice is their engaging Japanese officers in their place. The economical considerations to which our German contemporary refers would Hot influence the Chinese so much as might be imagined, judging_from the standpoint of more systematic European Governments. The Chinese are not inclined to parsimony in respect to matters of this kind, and would hardly be likely to give this as a reason for the step they have taken except It is very difficult for those who are on or as a convenient means of avoiding giving near the spot, so to spenk, to avoid a habit other reasons upon which they prefer not to of scepticism where Chinese reforms are enter. What really seems to be indicated concerned. This is not due, we honestly is that they are desirous in such matters to believe, so much to racial prejudice or work with Japan, because they have at last foreign arrogance, for indeed the obser aut realised that it is to the int rests of China to foreigners have long ago acquired an have a friendly entente with a nation occupy enduring resp. et
the enlightened ing so dominant a position. In this they Chinaman who is really in earnest in his are perfectly right. The chauces of Japan patriotism. It has been caused rather by a going counter to the true interests of China long series of disappointments, in which are extremely small, and for many years it the better class Chinese must also have will be obviously to the advantage of China shared. Thus while our brethren in Europe to keep on friendly terms with her near appear to have been cock-a-whoop over the and powertul neighbour. In the meantime visit of the Chinese Commissioners, and to it is desirable to learn as much as she can have been regarding their from Japan and thus be in a better position | enquiry as a sure promise of_splendid to hold her own should events take a performances to come, we in the East have contrary turn. The Chinese are so self- failed to work up any such enthusiasm. aatisfied that they would fully believe they We remember the bomb incidents before would be able to learu from Japan a great | the departure, the political and backstairs
4.
The revenue from markets in the Colony last year amounted to $105,244.45.
There were as many as 5,163 boat licences of varions descriptions issued during 1905.
The first registration of copyright work of Fine Art, u der Ordinauce No. 17 of 1901. occurred last year.
It was a set of picture post-cards.
It is interesting to learn from the Registrar Gen ral's report for 1905 that the vaccinations performed during the year at the various hos. pitals and in the villages reached the total of 5,722.
THE CHINESE TRAVELLING
COMMISSION.
(Daily Press, 15th May)
for
mission of
[May 19, 19083£ opposition, the reluctance of the membera to set forth, and the sending back en route of one member “to save expense". After all, the Commissioners are in no better case or more promising position than the man, who goes to seek advice. Good advice is always forthcoming, but it is not always
We may followed.
be pardoned for thinking that the wonders of Europe brought to China's very doors having had go small an influence, the wonders she has sent to see can do little more. Still, there is no gainsaying that this departure was on the face of it a good sign; and it would be scepticism run mad to forget that reforms must come, and that the times appear to be ripening for them. We can but hope that the foreigners will not have to endure. another cycle of the old-fashioned Cathay.
One of the subjects which appears to have greatly interested the Commissioners we hope more than armaments did- was education. Cynics will undoubtedly say that the present juncture is an unfortunate one for such a study in Great Britain, which is so notoriously disturbed by educational experiments of sorts. Yet if the Chinese notice how in- jurious it is to have one subject entangled with another, no harm can result. In China during the last two years there has been a spasmodic sort of attempt made to reform educational methods. The old-fashioned examinations have gone, and teachers of all sorts and conditions have been enlisted. People in Europe, however, are likely to be misled in this matter also, if they haver nothing to go by but such communications as the following, from the Morning Post:
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Except for a few instances of disorder all over the country temples have been turned into schools with surprising alacrity, often with malicious glee. Superstitions emblems have been torn down and idols destroyed. At Canton, for instance, an image of the patron god of the old learning was burned before large crowd. Even the old scholars, the 'literati', the strongest conservative force in China, have caught the infection, and students of 30 and 40 years of age are found patiently starting their education again. The new schools are eagerly attended, and everywhere there is a demand for
moro schools and for teachers with Western knowledge. Chinese gentry are forming socie- ties to secure capible instructors; students are being sout to Japan at their family's expense; girls chools are being started by private enterprise, and there are 150 girls studying in Tokyo. There is a dangerous tendency in China at present to rush education, and much of the teaching is of the poorest quality, but the desire to learn is very impressive.” That is not a paragraph to be described 'as untruthful, but it conveys a wrong impres sion all the same. We have to understand who felt “ malicious glee", who ordered the appropriation of the temp'es, and why ; and we have to know the ill repute in which an idle and degenerate priesthood has been held by the people. Then also should be taken into account the motives inspiring this rush after foreign learning; and the points of view of the different classes advo eating a change. One really hopeful fea ture of the Commissiou now travelling: is that its members are drawn from the ruling class. In China particularly there" is
rooin at the top” for enlightenment and a change of ideals; and it may be that the return of such influential students' may herald a wholesome change of mind on the part of the DOWAGER EXPRESS. It seems certain that but for her the reformera would be much further advanced than they
are!
We are glad to hear that the capital of the Kisngpei Concessions, Ltd., has been fully subscribed, and the directors went to allotment on May 10th.
hef
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