Development Over Period of f Centuries Places Premium on Educated Class This article by the Rev. W. H.
Hudson of Kashing, a correspondent of the. "North-China Herald" for the past 38 years, is particularly applicable on the birthday' of China's greatest official, General Chiang Kai-shek. In it, Mr, Hudson makes graphic comparisons between the old-style aristocracy of China and the new, Chinese offclal is a development from ancient times. Tt was early discovered that soldiers, how-fever brave in conquest or loyal in holding territory, seldom made the pest administrators. Successive dynasties usually began with some successful milliary commander, often ended with Incompetent ones. What-fever changes in the: government occurred, the ordinary affairs of -the people needed continual care and oversight. Consequently, men who could read and. write,- keep records, fand report on revenue' were extreme useful, 'As war is short and peace is long, the soldier' is occasionally essential, of even three provinces. Next in order, rank and power, came pro-Winelat governors, treastirers, judges, literary chancellors. intendants, pre fects and district magistrates.
Each was in his sphere, a personal representative of the Emperor. The-erotically at least, each had the dignity, power and emolument due to his position and' presumably, merit made promotion. "If the Emperor himself'.was upright, diligent and concerned for the welfare of the People, his officers, with some exceptions, followed his example and the nation prospered. If he was weak, however, pleasure-loving and careless, the ofcials too often and too many made personal Interest their main objective.
The limits of this paper allow only a few more lines about the district Magistrate, of whom there were over [1,800 under the Ching dynasty. Almost every Chinese home hoped for one son at least to be a student, a scholar and then an official, The study of the Four Bodks and Five Classics Degan at an early age with the convietion that memorizing these would impart necessary knowledge, literary style and ethical conduct." A mind saturated with moral maxims might Droduce "Princely Man" ft to rule, Few Passed Examinations
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.