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

Page 13 text:

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

Page 12 text:

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

Page 14 text:

craft he chanced to look on the other side of a clump of roses and vines and saw the prettiest of little streams. “I guess that kid wasn’t so foolish after all. This ought to keep a fellow from developirg a good case of the blues. I suppose I may as well use it, if no one makes a kick.” Vincent lifted the boat down and dropped it into the water. With paddle in hand, he stepped into the boat and pushed it off down stream. The clear water of the little stream, in which small willows cast theirquivery green and brown shadows, shallowed abruptly where a tiny bar of sand thrust the ripples aside. With a quick plunge of the paddle, Vincent shot the canoe past these threatening points, and floated serenely on. Far over in the west were two farm houses, and from a farther distance, the faint whir r r of a mowing maching floated across the meadow. Vincent winked soberly as he noticed a sign on the little wil low, ‘‘No Trespassing, Private Property.” The tiny tree bearing the inscription, bobbed up and down as if daring him to come on. It was easy to float down stream, and besides, what right did anyone have to keep him from going anywhere he wished? A faint smile appeared on his face as he turned the nose of the little craft back towards the hotel. No one could suspect that Vincent Polgrave would commit that dire crime of trespassing, for his brown hair and eyes, and his whole manner, spoke of nothing, but honesty. The boat was drifting down-stream. How could anyone blame him for going ovet the dividing line when he was not handling the boat? How surprised he seemed when he found himself upon the forbidden water and behind the sign, that seemed to be saying, ‘‘All right, Smarty, but you’ll have to pay for it.” The banks of the stream suddenly fell away on all sides and the canoe glided slowly and safely into a miniature lake. Only occasionally did an overhanging branch cast its troubled shadow upon the water, for the trees were all far back, and allowed a soft carpet of grass to grow undisturbed to the edge of the lake White and yellow lillies and purple flags dotted the edge of the stream, while farther down a double-arch stone foot bridge crossed over. ‘‘It's no wonder the people put up signs to keep the public out,” he said, half aloud, “1 be lieve if 1 had such a place as this, I'd be just as selfish as they.” Yes, all this was certainly very pretty, but Vincent had no eyes for it. Another sun had risen. He was gazing, or rather staring, in silent surprise and admiration at the figure on the grassy bank. How could he be to blame? For who would imagine that a Grecian goddess had escaped from Olympus and come down to him? Immediately his mind flew back to his old book of mythology, that he might find a name for her. Was it Diana, Clytie, Venus or Penelope? No, it was none of these. Thisicos-tume was not fitted to any of those.