Rensselaer Journal, Volume 10, Number 42, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 March 1901 — The Situation in China. [ARTICLE]

The Situation in China.

Mlntetr Wu referred t* Hawaii M a country which had yielded to th* political, social and religious influences from abroad. A* to a similar effort *f foreign influence upon the institutions of hi* owa country he declared the case to be different with China. That occidental civilization in all it* phases is superior to oriental civilisation 1* not clearly established. The burden of proof is on th* side that endeavors to effect a change in the existing order of things. The mere assertion that one system 1* superior to the other is not sufficient. It does not follow that system which has been tried and proved successful in th* west must be suitable to th* conditions which prevail in China. A superb landau rung with great smoothness and rapidity oa the asphalt pavement of a city; but that doe* not show that it can go any faster and more safely than an old express wagon in a muddy country road. Sixty years of foreign intercourse have by n* means convinced the Chinese that western ways and methods are better than 'their own in all respect* and under all conditions. If the people of the west will study th* civilization of China Instead of trying to pull it down, they will save themselves a great deal of trouble. They will find that the Chinese are not addieted to “ways that are dark and tricks that are vain,” as they are represented to be by an American poet. days China Is Vigorous. They lyill find that China, old as she is, still exhibits all the strength and vigor of full maturity. They will find that the civilization that has stood the test of forty centuries is far from being effete. They will find that the proper course to be pursued in putting China on the road to prosperity and happiness is not to shake the foundations of her social and political fabric, but to allow her to incorporate such elements of western civilization as she can assimilate. On the other hand, China must keep up with the times in the onward march of progress. To this end it is necessary for her to take lessons from the western world. But she need not be a servile imitator. By adopting from the west only what is best for her welfare, and avoiding everything that is not suited to the conditions and needs of her people, she will transform herself into a modern nation without losing those elements of national character which have made her great and strong in the past.