No. 161.
Mr. Denby
to Mr. Bayard.
Peking, March 21, 1887. (Received May 7.)
Sir: The article entitled “China: the Sleep and the Awakening,” of which I sent you a copy in my dispatch No. 328, of March 8, has provoked many criticisms in China. One which appeared as a supplement [Page 204] to the Chinese Times, and is signed “Sinensis,” is the most elaborate that I have seen. I have concluded to send the following abstract thereof. * * *
The writer enumerates the steps of progress recommended by the Marquis Tseng, as follows: The creation of a navy; the coast defense system; the strengthening of the army; the improving of relations with the treaty powers; a more effective supervision of feudatories; the repeal of the alienation of sovereign dominion over her territory comprised in foreign settlements.
The writer says that these exertions “are like the convulsive strugglings of a sleeping man suffering from a nightmare or delirium.”
He claims that the first duty of China is “equitable rule and right government. “She must first “discountenance official corruption,” and adopt “a just and liberal policy” towards her own people.
He charges that the two modes of securing appointment to office should be abolished. The first is by literary examination, and the second by purchase.
These examinations, he charges, are worthless as a test of real ability. They require no knowledge of modern science or arts. They demand only a good memory and “a close acquaintance with the precepts and sayings of China’s ancient sages.”The opportunities for fraud are great, “and money plays an important part. “He says that the Chinese fleet at Foochow was commanded by one of the “literati of the first water,” but as an officer he was utterly incompetent.
A third method of securing advancement is the military service. Here money reigns supreme. Blue or variegated feathers, special mention for bravery, are bought openly. The Chinese officials are to be commiserated. Their literary training is no help in the discharge of their duties.
It is much to be regretted that “China’s choicest sons,” who have been trained abroad, are cast away in favor of those who have obtained official position by the methods above enumerated.
China needs a navy, but she needs most “competent hands to man her forts and fight her ships.”
The students at the naval schools are, as a rule, maltreated and compiled to serve under ignorant officers.
The Chinese army should be entirely reformed. It is badly armed and officered by incompetent men. The achievements of the “Ever Victorious Army,” commanded by General C. C. Gordon, are cited to show what Chinese soldiers can accomplish under proper guidance.
It is admitted that China’s relations with foreign powers are just cause of complaint, but the particular remedy is suggested for these evils.
“The real weakness of China is her loose morality and evil habits, both social and political.”
The strengthening of the army and navy will have no influence in restoring to China the sovereign right of bringing every foreign resident within her territory under her own laws. To do this “the extorting of evidence from prisoners by corporal pain,” “bribery and unfair dealings,” “the filthy prisoners,” the “ling chi”(death by the slow process of cutting off each member in turn) must all be abolished.
If China were twenty times as strong as she is the foreign powers would not submit their people to her jurisdiction as the laws are now administered.
The plan of exercising a more effective supervision over her vassal provinces is not much commended. China should first learn to govern herself wisely.
[Page 205]It is advised that China should raise money by borrowing from her own people. She should have a national debt, in which her own people can invest. But at present the official corruption is so great that the people believe that their money once deposited with the Government is forever lost.
Improvements should, as much as possible, be left to private enterprise. But to accomplish this end underhand dealings, levying blackmail, imposition of heavy taxes, the assumption of injurious prerogatives, should be effectually prohibited.
The writer does not share in the boastful feeling of the marquis at the result of the French war: “China suffered crushing defeats at Foochow and Keelung, and France retained Tonquin.”
The marquis, he says, has mistaken the effect for the cause; he has not probed the disease.
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I have, etc.,