China Establishes Modern Schools
Within the last six months edicts have been issued by the Chinese government in Peking, providing for the establishment of schools throughout the Chinese empire, and ordering governors of provinces and viceroys to select students, and send them to obtain an education abroad. The curricula of these schools include the usual Chinese classics, with the addition of history, the science of Chinese and foreign governments, and industrial science. The edict sets forth that thus “a foundation will be laid to secure men equipped for the duties of government.” The Chinese government is operated through eight viceroys, sixteen governors, and about two thousand civil officials. The Chinese students who are to be sent abroad are to acquire, in addition to a general education, “a thorough mastery of some profession.” This action by the Chinese government is believed to mark a new era of progress for this long-benighted country, which holds one quarter of the human family.