A CHINESE ON CHINA.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2461, 27 March 1909, Page 2

A CHINESE ON CHINA.

In the. Contemporary Review, “A Chinese Cambridge-Man” contributes a remarkable paper on the soon! transformation in China. The writer d•.veils with legitimate satisfaction on the progress that has been made in a, variety of ways—in the development and improved quality of the press, the creation of a reading public, the opening up of internal communications by railways and post offices, and the change of customs and habits. But the most important advance of all is in the introduction of new methods of education. Formerly it was carried on entirely through books; “to-day, in the schools, however imperfect they may be, students receive actual instruction —a luxury never known to us before.”. The writer, however, begs European sympathisers to remember that Orientals cannot perform miracles, or achieve in a few months what Europe has only achieved after many years, and expresses strong distrust in the sincerity of the Government. “The real salvation of China lies with her people, not her Government. . . The Government is, in fact, destroying the best elements in Chinese society.” But this cannot last for ever. He says: “Give us time and we will work out our own salvation. Are we not moving in spite of the systematic misconduct of the Government, and moving more quickly than anybody dared to expect ? We have managed to keep our heads above water so far, and immediately, the seeds that we have sown have taken root the out-of-date organisations are doomed. The seeds will shoot up although the soil—in this case the Go-vernment-will try to keep them down. There will he a contest, but we know who will he the winner. The Government has an army —but what if the army deserts it? It always astonishes •mo that whilst the press in Europe daily exposes the rottenness of the existing Chinese Government, it does its best to uphold it. Whenever there is a slight' movement against the Government, he it anti-dynastic or revolutionary, intervention is at once talked of, as if the great struggle for the freedom of four hundred million'souls were •nothing more than a football match which cannot go on without a referee.”