20th January.
In England during the middle of last century, the influence which dominated current politics, did not emanate from the government of the metropolis, but from the business men of the provinces, whose leaders, known as the "Mancheater School," were far-seeing. and resolute men. In the same way it is unwise to assume that the forces which, in the fature, will force the Chinese into potivity, will necessarily emanate from Peking, In fact, history will warrant us in expecting quite the contrary. Ib may be assumed that, whatever uew life begins to germinate among the Chinese, will first take root among the. young men of the big seaport towns, for the inhabitants of these are brought more closely into contact with new ideas, more opportunities for aoquil new knowledge than those who reside in the interior of China, Therefore, all movements on the surface, in great cities like Shanghai, Hankow, and Canton, as well as in Peking, are things of universal interest, and should become pul property. Now that Chinese newspapers have become vehicles for conveying words, ideas, and aspire: tions from one town to another, however imperfectly, it may be inferred that what Canton has decided to do this month, the merchants residing in the other great maritime and riverine towns will be discussing next.
very remarkable move has recently been made, in Canton, Phe result of the movement. may be very far-reaching, and, if this peace-reform, contemplated, oan be initial and pushed forward, it will effect little less than a revolution, The. first step was to create a Chamber of Commerce, after the model probably of that which watches over the interests of British commerce in Hongkong. Moreover, the merchants have started within the larger corporation an organisation which may be called a "Board of Trade." 1t must not be assumed that the officials: have anything to do with it. Rather the present attitude of mandarindom is condemned. If success: crowns the efforts of the Board, it will d" much to oust the mandarins from their present lofty exclusiveness.
The first: great ambition of the as far as possible, to conserve the trade for the Chinese, Tne seventy-two hongs of Canton have representatives sitting on the committee, and, therefore, no interest can be overlooked or forgotten. With this end in view, the first purpose is to brin; within the purview of the Board all the towns and trading marts in the province, in order to foster local trade, Is is believed that as bodies of men unite and form themselves into guilds for mutual protection, so an organisation like this will tend to increase and direct the tides of trade. All legitimate measures will be ado) in order to compete with foreigners.* A much stronger term might be used. It would appear as if there were already commercial jealousy, and that therefore there will commercial rivalry. It may be doubted if this course will bing any good to those who advocate it, for at this stage it is surely self-evident that Chinese and foreigners should work together, by which means each will be benefited. Such then in its broad outlines appears to be the first object which the merchants in Canton have in view.
When we come to details we discover that those who have organised this Board are wise and thoughtful men, who understand the conditions and limitations of the present conditions of things in China.
They see clearly enough that the greatest barrier to progress is the colossal ignorance of all classes, This ignorance therefore must be gray pled with and dissipated. Why do not business people here lay down efficient machinery, build lofty chim-noys? Why do they not erect powerfal saw mills? Why do they not open mines? Mainly because of the belief in Fungshui, Therefore this all-blighting superstition must attacked and undermined. Why is it that, in China, as in other countries, women do not work in factories with men, and so become producers Because, up to the present, owing to the disgraceful innuendoes and filthy language in oxmmon use, no selfing woman would dare to attempt it. This disgusting hal must therefore be stopped. Why is it that Chinese artisans continue to make the same fabrics and use the same utensils as their fathers before them without change or improvement? Because they have no proper means of studying and imitating the products of other countries. It organisation is the development of] is therefore proposed trade, "Moreover, it is determined, emporium, to open a big of other countries, as far as they may be applicable to China, shall be kept in stock, that workmen may sce and understand them, and so imitate them, not only for their own use, but also with a view to exportation. There can be no doubt that this diagnosis of the present weakness is quite correct, and the means suggested, with a view to' ite removal, the only one within the reach of those who deprecate it. Ib now remains to be seen whether those, who have pledged themselves to initiate reforms in the matters under review, are possessed of sufficient intelligence themselves, and of. sufficient force and pertinacity to remove the in-cubs of superstition under which the life of the people is crushed, and stir into activity an inertia which has existed for #0 mary centuries. ery encouragement.
nly part of the alme and ideals towards which the merchants in Canton are struggling. Th sumed superiority of the mander to be challenged, and their exclusive ness is to be invaded. It has been the rule, it is said, that whenever civilians visit the officials, whether the visit be one of business or one of ceremony, they must don official robes, otherwise. they will not be admitted to the presence of the great man. This involves much usel-s expense. It is urged that whenever it necessary for any member of the Beard to visit an official on & matter taining to the prosperity of the rd, he shall be allowed to do so in ordinary every-day attire. In the past, when merchants have sent in dispatches, these dispatches must be written in a prescribed style, on prescribed paper, otherwise they would not be received. It is urged. that the officials shall receive any ordin-beary communication. It has been the rule for the mandarins to be dilatory and indifferent in their attention to appeals, unless there were money in the transaction. It is determined that an answer shall be expected and demanded at the earlest possible hour, that the matter under consideration shall be settled. and put out of hand, farther decided that the Chairman of the Board shall, at any time, have the right to visit the Viceroy himself, whenever any matter crops up which is, in his judgment, sufficiently important to demand the Viceroy's attention, It will be seen from brief outline that nothing less than a revolution in etiquette where the manufactures! is contemplated. We all know that
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.