(Contributed.)
The time was when filial piety' stood for much in China, but that vas in the days when China had "face," thought about ''face'® and respected ''face."" Alas in these degenerate, so-called republican days in China, there is no "'face'' and less filial piety. This. is the day when Chinese hooliganism is in supreme com-Hooligans never had any' "Tac why, therefore, should they "be expected to have any respect for "'face' or for filial piety. Inside and outside these Settlements the want of Chinese "Face" is most glaring even td the most casual observer, be he or she of Chinese or foreign' nationality.
In old China, that self-respecting China of the earlier and later dynasties, the temples and the ancestral graves were visible signs of inese "face" and piety, but sad to relate to-day they are an outward' and visible sign of China's decadence. To-day the graves throughout the country are glaring illustrations of the wand of piety on the part of the present' generation towards those an-cesters who have departed. These ancestors are told by the acts and! deeds of the present decadent generation, if they are not told it so many words, "You lid beneath weeds—the only things yeu were fit to produce." Yes, the present day graves are the weed-beds of China, for the pre' sent generation have so little of the old filial piety left in their that they cannot spare the time to weed the last resting places of their departed.
By the weeds they let grow upon the graves, they are writing their own indictment, for' this republican generation of China are the veritable weeds of the country produced by their ancestors. All around there is no "face." All is neglect Graves are weed-beds. Temples j are derelict shacks, generally occupied by an ignorant, thieving' and profligate priesthood, morally and mentally unfit to teach the religion which the temples stand j for to the present generation.
As long as the graves are left as they are, as long as the temples remain in dilapidation and are occupied by these priests instead of those- fitted to teach religion, so long will China' remain og she is, sunk so low in morale that she has lost all sense of "face" and filial piety known' to Western peoples as tradition. After all, dynasty stands for all that is tradition and the so-called republic of China has no dynasty. Perhaps it is only a passing phase in the sick man's illness, and' China may yet with the passing of the republic recover both face and filial piety. Better that the Passing be soon and that we may' at an early date see the clearing of the ancestral graves and the restoration of the temples as a sign of the times.
In an appeal in the Chinese press for an opportunity to work and study, a young Cantonese: states that he recently walked' home from Europe wid: Siberia. After repeated attempts he has been unable to find employment and has taken this as his last resort.
Marstat Tsao Kun, the Chihli warlord, has telegraphed to Peking ordering the organization of an air service between Peking and Hankow and between Chengchow, Honan, and Sianfu, Shen si, before the end of August, reports the Journal of Commerce.""
Tae "'Journal of Commerce" reports that, as result, of the order of the ex-Emperor, Hsuan Tung, for the dismissal of the eunuchs from the Imperial palace, the favourite concubine of his lata uncle, the former Emperor Kuang Hsi, has Left the palace and refused to return in spite on all of the ex-Emperor's pleadings.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.