CHINA.

New Zealand Illustrated Magazine, Volume VII, Issue 2, 1 November 1902, Page 158

CHINA.

In deploring the state of affairs which war entails on a country one is often slow to realize the advantages which afterwards accrue. In China, for instance, the foreign occupation has been productive of much good, and many useful lessons of European civilization have been taught to a people who have proved attentive pupils. At Tientsin sanitary measures, which were never adopted before, are now being carried out, and Yuan Shi Kai. the

provincial Viceroy, the aptest of the pupils, is gaining a name for himself by following fairly closely European educational, municipal and law enforcing systems. From comparatively small beginnings such as these great results may accrue to this nation with such vast possibilities hitherto so hopelessly blocked by the keen conservatism of its people. It is true that we still hear of occasional massacres of missionaries and converts by small bodies of Boxers, but these would . appear to entirely lack the organization and practical government support which were such, conspicuous features of the former risings. They are merely flashes in the pan caused by the dying embers of hatred of the foreign devils, ever and anon stirred up in out of the way districts.