Atwood Hammond High School - Post Yearbook (Atwood, IL)

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The condition of the Chinese Empire at the present time and the forces gathering strength among its people, merit the attention of politicians throughout the world; for it is those forces aud the direction in which they are guided which will mould the future of that great country. The government even now lias some features of an advanced democracy. Though the Emperor acts almost as he pleases, he maybe criticised bv his cabinet of ministers. For the last few years the government of China has been on the verge of a reform. In regard to this question the provinces were ten years ago in advance of Peking, the seat of government and controlling power, but they desired a reform only so long as it did not affect personal interests. A national reform party organized by the younger population, advanced so rapidly in number and influence, that before the termination of their war with Japan it claimed the right of being heard on the question of the conclusion of peace. This showed that the party represented a national movement which would make China a strong and progressive nation. It was favorably disposed towards the introduction of foreign enterprises, provided they would not affect Chinese life injuriously. In 1898, a new era began in Chinese history. Throughout the Empire .temples were changed into schools; national colleges of agriculture, commerce, and industry were established; and a national army with naval and military academies, was instituted Thus China is being awakened from her long sleep by direct contact with other nations. Steamships sail from the United States, England, Germany, France, Australia, Japan and Canada to Shanghai and other ports. Here the Chinese meet people of other nations and, as a result, they have begun to adopt western ideas and to be influenced by the example set by western civilization. Though most of the prominent men in China appear to have decided that the hope of the country lies in constitutional government, they cannot decide as to the model 01 which it should be framed. This year three princes are to be sent to the capitols of all the nations in order that they may study the different kinds of government. The reports of the five commissioners who returned last year have not yet been fully looked over, but they agree in recommending the adoption of a constitutional government. China is taking a great step forward in trying to rid her country of its corrupt habits. Everyone knows that Chinese courts have been places of graft where the judges enriched themselves by their unfai; dealings, China is now becoming aware of the baseness of her judicial system, and bv the example set by the United States in Shanghai. We have reason to believe that China will soon reform her courts. One of the greatest drawbacks to China’s progress is

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“I was often allowed, under guard, to roam about the plantation and, on the afternoon of the day on which I received the note, I came across Dinah in the garden. I decided to find out whether or not she was the author of the missive and I asked her if she would interpret a letter for me, since I was unable to read. “Laudy no!”, she exclaimed. “I can’t make out no reading s’cept my name and Lee’s and mv ole man’s.” I anxiously waited until almost midnight that night before I heard a sound. The door opened and Lee entered. After being assured of my safety, I followed him and was once more a free man. Yet I was badly puzzled and my mind was not cleared of the question of my liberation until three years later. “A few weeks after your grandmother and I first met in Pennsylvania, I was relating this adventure, among others, to her. It was the first time she had heard it, I noticed that she was unusually attentive as I recited the details of the occurrence. I observed that her face was remarkably bright for one who was just recovering from a long and severe illness, for, as I had learned, she had been ill since her family had been forced to leave their old Virginian plantation and to move to Pennsylvania. It seemed that her whole expression was changed and that she revived in that one moment. ‘‘After I had finished, she inquired, excitedly, “And what was the name of the young lady who so fascinated you?” “It was the same as yours— Virginia.” “A happy smile spread over her lovely face and she cried out, “And it was not only the same name but the same Virginia! Do you know why I have hesitated? Becauss I could not rid my memory of the noble Yankee whose liberty I brought about.” THE AWAKENING OF AN OLD WORLD By Lora Biggs. China is one of the oldest, the most exclusive, and the most populous countries in the world. The early history of China is wrapped in mystery for though some authors say that her civilization dates back for several thousand years, not until the twenty-seventh century before the Christian era have we a record of any ruler. From her earliest days China has shown an aversion to intercourse with other countries, so that her inhabitants thought o the world as consisting of China with her eighteen provinces. However, in 1834 England forced her to admit a representative of British merchants into her vast country, and since then she has had more dealings with other nations. China is indeed one of the most populous countries in the world, for in her 4,200,000 square miles of territory she has a population of 428,000,000 people.

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opium; for a people who use the drug benumb their senses and are made incapable of carrying on business affairs. The opium curse is being put down since the government has taken it into hand. It prescribes the number of acres a man may have in poppy cultivation and the number decreases each year. After May 1907, it decreed that no new stores for the sale of opium could be opened, and that smoking dens should be closed. Cures are being prepared tor opium smokers and action taken to abolish its use. The wonderful changes in the Chinese ideas of government are apparent in this short time —what may we not expect of this vast country in a few more years! The next important evidence of modernization in China is her eagerness for education on the lines of western civilization. For centuries the Chinese have been noted for their education and literature. Lower grades of schools were provided for all classes, and there were also higher academies and univer- sities. In 1903, the Dowager— Empress issued an order that their educational system be revised. Her plan was accepted; universities built in modern style were established in the larger cities; colleges in the provinces; high schools in the districts; and common schools in the villages. Literature, philosophy, and even the sciences and histories of foreign nations are to be taught in these schools. It is indeed hard for Chinese to understand this new system of education, after they have become accustomed to the old way, but they seem to be sincere in their desire for new learning. Upon this fact their hope is based and especially for the younger generation which will have greater advantages by not being taught under the old system. By the changes China has made in her government and educational system we find that she has awakened from her sound sleep of ages, and is trying to fit herself for a place among the leading powers of the West. A DOWN-STREAM ADVENTURE By Leslie Lewis Vincent. Polgrave was sitting on the porch of the country inn, smoking his pipe. He had been touring in this vicinity and his car broke down, and now the chauffeur was trying to fix it up. Everything here was so dull that Vincent strolled into the orchard, that lay just behind the hotel. In the farthest corner, a canoe rested on two poles that were laid from a couple of apple trees. “Funny place for a boat, that,” he thought. “i Iust be some fool kid that's trying to learn the science of boating without any water. From the way my throat feels, I don’t think that there is any in a hundred miles of here.” As he was examining the little