China Awakens 1905

This series has nine easy 5 minute installments. This first installment: An Ancient, Conservative Nation.

Introduction
One chief effect of the great war between Russia and Japan was its influence upon China. China, after her defeat by Japan, had been lethargic and despondent, feeling the whole East to be helpless in the grasp of Europe. But Japan’s victory convinced the Chinese that the East was destined not to perish but to triumph, if only her people would rouse and assert themselves. So all China was stirred to action at last. The vast slumber of centuries was cast aside, and the “New China” began. As the shrewdly observant Japanese writer Kinnosuke declares in his article herewith, China will, in the future, look back on the year 1905 as Japan does upon 1868, as the year which began her modernization.

The Chinese awakening, when once it had begun, progressed far more rapidly than did that of Japan. The achievements in the way of progress, during only the single year of 1905, are here pointed out by the critical yet enthusiastic view of a Chinaman who has lived long in Europe and been graduated from an English University. This account is preceded by an historical review from the sympathetic standpoint of the Japanese states man Kinnosuke, and by the official Chinese Government view as presented by that prince of good fellows among mandarins, Wu Ting Fang, who was at the time “Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary” from China to the United States. He has since played a leading part in the Chinese revolution.

So, three views from three near contemporaries.

The selections are from:

• Wu Ting Fang, of the Chinese government.
• Adachi Kinnosuke presents a Japanese view.
• an anonymous Chinese intellectual.

For works benefiting from the latest research see the “More information” section at the bottom of these pages.

Summary of daily installments:

This installment is from an address delivered by Dr. Wu Ting Fang before the American Academy of Political and Social Science, in Philadelphia, December 14, 1909.

Time: 1905
Place: China

Reprinted by permission from an address delivered by Dr. Wu Ting Fang before the American Academy of Political and Social Science, in Philadelphia, December 14, 1909.

China, as is well known, is an ancient and conservative nation. She has existed for many thousands of years. She has seen the rise and fall of many ancient empires and republics. She saw Egypt ascend to the zenith of her power, and later she witnessed Rome extending her dominions and becoming the greatest Power of the earth. She was a spectator when those nations and others, one by one, either fell or disappeared. All this time China stood intact, and she still remains a nation, practically without dismemberment.

It will be interesting to inquire why such an old nation has existed undivided while her contemporaries, one by one, have crumbled to pieces. Many causes have been given from time to time for this, but, in my opinion, the most important factor was the fact that she had shut herself up for many centuries and did not interfere with the affairs of other nations. Her people applied themselves wholly to the internal affairs of the nation. The people were dependent upon the resources of the country and were contented. They were home-loving and patriotic. It was considered a dangerous thing to travel abroad, hence the people of China, up to a recent period, were most reluctant to leave their country.

It may be asked, What led the people to be contented with their native land and to dislike to go abroad? It was due to the universal love of the Chinese for their homestead. The place where their ancestors were born, and had lived and died, where their parents were born, and where they themselves had been brought up, they dearly loved. The soil of their land was fertile and rich, and they could produce all they wanted, so there was no necessity for them to leave their fatherland. Thus the people had every inducement to remain in their own country. Their system of ethics taught them to be loyal to the emperor, filial to their parents, affectionate to their brothers and sisters, and faithful to their friends. With these teachings they were brought up, and as there were practically no strangers in their land they did not know any other system of morals superior to their own. In course of time they became patriotic, honest, and hard-working people. If their nation had not been disturbed by outside influences they would have remained to this day in the same condition. They were, however, not allowed to do so. The door of their country was opened by force of circumstances, and aliens and foreigners from different parts of the world had to be admitted.

The importance of this step was not at first realized, and for several decades the Government pursued its traditional policy without any change. It was thought that what had been good for the country for several thousands of years was surely good and would last for all time; but after numerous sad experiences the officials and others began to find out that though their ancient systems of government and civilization were in many respects equal, if not superior, to those of the West, yet in view of the altered conditions they were obliged to change their policy and learn something from the people of the West. Especially within the last few years the whole nation, high and low, has been awakened and aroused. Many important changes and reforms have been made in different directions.

Take, for instance, our old system of literary examinations for official appointments, which had existed for many centuries. It has recently been entirely remodeled, new regulations have been drawn up and are now in force. The candidates, many of whom have received foreign education, are now examined on modern subjects. I feel sure that in the course of time the officials of China, recruited from such men, will be entirely different from those of a few years ago; and will compare favorably with the statesmen of other countries in ability and in knowledge not only of their own country, but of foreign affairs, also.

The army in China has within the last few years been reorganized. The men have been instructed and drilled under competent tutors. The national curse of opium-smoking is being handled in a most energetic way. The conscience of the public has been aroused on this subject, and the people, high and low, are determined to get rid of this pernicious habit.

There are many other sanitary reforms, too numerous for me to mention here, but I feel confident that in a few years China will no longer be dubbed the “sick man of the far East,” but will become a modern nation like her great neighbor, Japan.

It may be noted in passing that if China should become a strong power in the world it would never be a source of trouble to other nations, or be a “yellow peril,” as some people seem to fear. Those who think otherwise are greatly mistaken. They do not understand our people. The Chinese are by nature and education a peace-loving people. The essence of the Confucian system is that right, and not might, is king; not the strong and the powerful, but the just and the virtuous ruler or people must prevail. They have all been taught to reverence righteousness and peace, and to denounce injustice and force.

Their past and present conduct at home and abroad will confirm what I say. What has been done within the past few years to put our army on a proper footing, and the intention of our Government to take steps for reorganizing our navy, should not in the least create suspicion in other nations. The aim of our Government is solely for defensive purposes and to preserve peace in our territories. This is testified to by many facts. In any movement having for its object the preservation of peace China has gladly joined; and in many cases where international questions arose our Government willingly offered to submit them to arbitration by disinterested parties or by a tribunal, though without success.

It is to be admitted that in the field of human activity the Occident surpasses the Orient. The manner in which the Western nations have unlocked the secrets of nature and harnessed her forces must excite the admiration of the East. But, while our people have a great deal to learn from the Western nations, the people of the West should not disdain to gain a little from the East. An old nation like China, which has stood for thousands of years, must possess some good quality to account for her stability. The keystone to our arch of morality has been the virtue of filial piety, and it has not been inaptly expressed by some writers that it is due to our faithful observance of the fifth commandment of the Christian religion that our days have been long in the land which Heaven has given to us. Another moral character of our people is their probity and honesty. If our moral character and habits and institutions were studied by the people of the West, just as much as we study theirs, much benefit would accrue to both sides.

Adachi Kinnosuke begins here. A Chinese Cambridge Man begins here.

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