Protest by the 77th Lineal Descendant in Telegram to Nanking Government China's Sage, Confucius, or, at least, his Tith direct dence Mr. Kung Tehcheng, is. the latest to be singled out "by the National Government in connection with their programme for the confiscation of "enemy properties." the 76th generation of Confucius's family, passed away and since then Kung Teh-cheng, the 77th direct lineal descendant, have taken over. the inheritance rights of, the family possession of the properties left by' Confucius and other ancestors, The estates of the late Mr. Sheng Kang-pao and General Chang Hsun having been confiscated to satisfy those in control at Nanking, it was thought that the properties-of other high officials of the Manchu regime and of past Republican administra tions. which have not been too wel disposed towards the Nationalist Party would be seized, But news to the effect that the estate of Confucius is to be confiscated has been received with the greatest [surprise and consternation, expecially rary classes, of the National Governnipnt's proposed action - has been given in a circular telegram despatched by Mr. Kung Teh-cheng, iret lineal descendant of Con-focus, on October 28, a copy of which' appeared in the "Eastern Times" yesterday.
Confirmation of the reported action fof the National "authorities was lacking as Dr. H. Lil. Kung, Minister of Industry, Commerce and Labour, who also isa member of the Sage's family, is still in Nanking.
Mr. Kung Teh-cheng, in his telegram' says:—-
"The honorary title of 'Yen Shen Kung,' conferred upon the direct descendents of Confucius, has been voluntarily abolished by the writer, 'The famous Confucian forest in Shantung, the well-known Confucian temple, the Confucian library, the agricultural lends and other' properties which the possessor of the title holds were all left by Ca fucius and my other ancestors and all have been in existence for more than 2,000 years, "In 1927, Mr. Kung Lin-yih, of "Quiet unexpectedly, Tsai Yuan-pei, a member of the National} Government, who hopes to confiscate these private properties of my an-cesters. and mine, made a proposal to the National Government asking that my properties should be illegally disposed of.
"Inheritance rights have been given to me. by God and, according to law, T am privileged to enjoy such rights just as do members of other families in China. Why should jthe Confucian family be an ex-
"For these reasons, I strongly oppose the proposed confiscation of my properties and those of my ancestors and I wish to lodge a most vigorous protest against i I earnestly request the National Government' to reject Tsai Yua el's plan so that the rights of the People may be protected and that Justice may be upheld."
It is not known by whom the honorary title of Yen Sheng Kung was conferred, but it is presumed that this was' granted hundreds years ago and that the title has become an hereditary one because it evidently has been used by Mr. Kung Teb-cheng's predecessors for years, Though no reasons are given to why Mr, Kung Teh-cheng valu: tarily relinquished the title, it. is believed that he took such' action because China is no longer an em pire and because members of the Kuomintang are strongly opposed to the use of titles conferred upon their fellow-countrymen by former Imperial rulers and they. (the kuomintang) are agitating for thei kuomintang) are agitation,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.