Dec. 3.
PourticaL writers who carefully study the origin and devel-lopment of national institutions constantly insist that reformers, no matter how strong, enlightened, and enthusiastic they may be, must come to terms with the traditions of their people, their habits, their common feelings and interests, even the prejudices which' dre rooted in the nationa' character. It is unwise to make a complete break with the past and to expect that radical chang-og will immediately take a deep and permanent root and bring order and prosperity. In China this lesson seems to have been learned by few. After the downfall' of the Manchu Dynasty, a republican form of government was adopted of which the people knew little, anda Constitution was framed of which they knew less. Inevitably there is great disorder, throughout the country. It is a hopeful augury that some of China's prominent men are urging the re-establishment of certain of her indigenous institutions, and it is a remarkable sign, inasmuch og these men are soldiers—a. class responsible for so much of the disorder. A short time ago, General Chi Hsieh-yuan, Military Governor of Kiangsu, publicly pleaded for a return of the old system of civil service—_ examinations.
More recently, General Feng Vu-hsiang, the Christian soldier, sent a memorial to President Tsao Kun, stating that in his opinion it is imperative, if law and order are ever to be restored
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.