Daniel McIntyre Collegiate Institute - Breezes Yearbook (Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada)

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56 D. M. C. I. BREEZES THE SITUATION IN CHINA IN re cent years there have been many uprisings in China against for¬ eign nations. Then, China itself is in a state of civil warfare, which began soon after the Revolution in 1911. To understand the situation, we must know something of the people and their history; so let us look into the past of this once vast and mighty nation of the Far East. •China, translated literally, means “The Flowery Middle King¬ dom.” It was given this name in its days of pomp and glory. For China at one time stretched from North China to the Persian Gulf and Caspian Sea; and as far west as Europe. The Mongolians forced the Russian princes to do homage to them in 1280. They conquered the Hungarians, Poles, and Galicians, then swept through Asia Minor. Only a few years ago, discoveries were made of drawings and carvings, dis¬ tinctly Chinese, on walls of caves in South Africa. All this goes to show the vastness of the old Chinese Empire. Now let us turn to the people of the ancient times. The Chinese worship under three forms of religion, Buddhism, Tarism, and perhaps the most common, and containing the highest ideals, Confucianism. The latter is the worship of the famous sage Confucius. He taught the people good and evil, and also of God; but the name “Heaven” took the place of the Divine name. His golden rule was “What you do not like when done unto yourself, do not to others.” Ancestral worship was, and still is an important factor in Chinese religion, showing great love for their parents and ancestors. The people had a high degree of in¬ telligence, inventing such things as paper, the magnetic needle, which was followed by the compass, and gunpowder. Many other useful articles have been credited to Chinese invention. Type printing was in use centuries before it was discovered in Europe. China is said to have regarded early traders as inferiors, and re¬ fused to have dealings with them; but according to certain authorities, it is now known that China carried on trade with foreign nations until she was excited to hostilities by the actions of the Portuguese and Spaniards from 1520 to 1570. China, on account of trade, has suffered many losses of territory. Hong Kong, for instance, was ceded to Eng¬ land because of some troubles over the opium trade. This is only one o p the multifarious cases, as many treaties have been made with foreign nations, regarding trade, and leasing and cessation of lands. The people claim that China was not given a fair deal in these pacts; and call them the “unequal treaties.” After losing much land and prestige in war, the Chinese sought to regain their lost ground. Riots and other forms of disturbances took place, which resulted only in further losses. So we find among the people a feeling of “anti-foreignism,” which persists even today. Its existence has been shown by the more recent disturbances. Last year Britain returned the Hankow concessions into Chinese control. The country itself is now in the grip of Bolshevism, which has been blamed for the “anti-foreign” uprisings. The political situation is easily understood. The country is divided into two factions, the south and the north. The northern faction is try-

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D. M. C. T. BREEZES older, we realize their value, and appreciate what we were taught. So, if our school days have such pleasant memories attached to them now, and if they are of such value to us, why should we not all try to make them bright and happy? And why should we not all make our thoughts of our school and teachers very pleasant and firmly fixed in our minds, so that when we leave our institution of learning we may carry with us delightful memories of our school days and their associations? —Georgie Care, Room 15. THE OAK As I was wand’ring forth one day, I chanced upon an old oak grove, Which was so pretty, that, it may Have been of nature’s treasure trove. Surmounting all, there was a tree, Had witnessed many long years pass;— Its noble ' bearing and degree Were obvious; though all in a mass Its thick be-twisted limbs entwined, From years of battle with the wind. This tree was chief amidst its kin For strength, for beauty, and for size; For it was strong—its brethren thin, To its great heights they’d never rise. In beauty it surpassed them all, The shape of it so pleased the eye; So large it was, and strong, and tall, It seem’d that it would never die. Would ever fall this mighty tree? Would cease all life ere this could be! O’erhead a few short years have pass’d, And to the grove again I go To see the wond’rous tree, that last Time in the Fall impress’d me so. Oh, what a sight awaited me! My heart whelm’d up within my soul! For all was changed, and I could see The tree, that last time was so full Of strength, of beauty, and of pride, Lie helpless on its wounded side! How could it be that this strong one Could fall so from his lofty height, While saplings in comparison Their branches spread in health and might? Full of a curious wonder did I stoop to bring the roots to light; And there a little worm was hid, Which brought upon this oak a blight; And in life-giving roots had bored Unnumbered grooves, which killed this lord. O lordly king! 0 haughty one! For all thy strength and worth, A little worm the fight has won, And brought thee to the earth! —Ronald Cummins, Room 8.

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D. M. C. I. BREEZES 57 ing to restore the Manchurian line of kings and establish an aristocracy. On the other hand the southern faction is striving to conquer the north, and with a united nation, hold an election for the presidency; a posi¬ tion left vacant since the death of the late Dr. Sun Yat Sen. So it is a civil war between democracy and autocracy. There is no comparison whatever, between ancient China and the China of today. The “Middle Kingdom once vast and mighty, is now a comparatively small and weak nation; once the largest homogeneous nation, now split into many factions which are at each other’s throats. China has stood while other nations have risen and fallen. The question is—is China about to have its turn to fall, or will it be united to stand? —J. G. Mar, Room 56. IN MEMORIAM In memory of Elizabeth Janette Carswell, who passed on, January 15th. Students of Room 7 extend their sympathy to relatives and friends of their late schoolmate. A light has from our schoolroom gone, A voice we loved is still, A place is vacant in our class, Which we can never fill. NORMAL NOTES The Normal season is fast drawing to a close, and we who are en¬ tering the teaching profession, realize that we are on the threshold of life. In future years, when looking back over our term at Normal, wo shall have many happy recollections. Among our numerous activities is the dramatic work. Under Miss t-thirriff’s guidance the Student Players presented several plays. Five one-act plays were given by the classes, before Christmas, and a five-act comedy since then. In addition to this, enjoyable “Lit” programmes have been given by most of the classes. Sports are by no means neglected. In the fall, a field day was held at Assiniboine Park, as a get-together affair. During the winter, curling and basketball held our attention, but at present the spring- days call us forth to the baseball diamond. Each class has had four dances during the term. The most enjoy¬ able of these was the concluding dance held at the Isaac Brock School. On May 11th, the graduates held their closing exercises. The pro¬ gramme consisted of folk dances by members of Class “A” several songs by a chorus from Class “C, ” and the valedictory address by Miss Warwiek. The Hon. Mr. Hoey gave an inspiring address, and a few words were spoken by Dr. W. A. McIntyre. At present, we are contemplating with mingled pleasure and regret, the new life which lies before us. —Dorothy Hutchison.