WOMEN JOURNALISTS IN CHINA

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 238, 2 July 1919, Page 5

WOMEN JOURNALISTS IN CHINA

BOWER OF THE PRESS IN THE EAST. In the last number of the "Asiatic Review" appeal's a very interesting article upon the Press in China, and to luuny people who have been rather apt to think of Chinese women as being kept very much in the background it should be of special interest to learn that women in that country have played a more conspicuous pari in owning and editing papers and magazines than they have in quite a few Western countries.

Tho writer of the article describes the history of tho Peking "Gazette," established in tlio Tang ' Dynasty, 618-907 A.D., tlio most, illustrious period of Chinei.i liU'f.i'.uiG and poetry—tho Augustan period of the East. During this dynasty (lie most celebrated of Chinese poets, Le I'ai I'eli, Jived and wrote, as well as many famous as historians, essayists, and poets. 11l the Peking "Gazette" appeared the. Imperial Edicts, Rescripts, nad McM'uhii* and although it was the official Government organ it was printed in private offices. It was tho only means tlio Chinese people had for centuries of ascertaining the aims and policies of their micro as inspired or dictated by. their Ministers. It had a limited issue, and when of sufficient importance it was copied, and circulated throughout the Cbiinlry Ly means of proclamations posted oiitsida the yumens and city gateways! It was criticised by ■ means of anonymous placards written in popular stylo, often caustic, cutting, and satiric, fuil l ■' 1' lii'iy and sharp quotations which the Chinese, being great wags, could appreciate. In 1911. when revolution broke out, it was estimated that there were no fewer than 700 newspapers, and now there are more than a thousand. In .1906 a daily newspaper for women was started in Peking, edited by a Chinese lady, Mrs. Chang. The leaders were written in Mandnrin or colloquial, it being more easily understood by women than Wen Li or classical Chinese. Its publication led to a series of lectures being Peking by an. American lady, when * selections from this journal were lead and discussed. Educated Chinese women also, gave lectures upon hygiene, domestic science, geography, the evils uf gambling and opium-smoking and foot-binding. In 1902 a magazine for women was edited by a Chinese lady of distinguished family in Wusili, Kiang'Su, its aim being to stir Chinese women so that they might realise their powor and influence for the benefit of theiT country. It only lasted a fow months through lack cf support, being in advance of its time. In the early days of the Republic another magazine for women was started called "The Women's Journal of the Great Land," this being . the organ of the "new woman" of China. It was very advanced, and demanded equal rights with mon, .the economic independence of women, the liberty for women to open shops on their own account, and tho establishment of trade unions for women. It seemed hardly possible that the so-called down-trodden and oppressed women of China could in so short a time become so assertive and bold. Three other women's magazines were established, called "The Woman's Messenger," "The Woman's World," and the "Ladies' Jorunal" (good old Western names). The last-named is the only nonmissionary magazine. It seems to be flourishing, and is edited by n capable Chinese lady, Mrs. T. C. Cbu. The subjects discussed included domestic economy, tlie evils ,of gambling, opium-smoking, cheating, and bribery,, which had their origin in. the home. It advocated the education of women before attempting to reform them, and the more education they have, according to Jlrs. Clui, tho better it will be for the nation. The magazine is written in sood Chinese f.tyle, modelled on two', of tlio best Chinese writers, .Messrs. Linng Ch'i-ch-ao and Yen- Fu. .

So strong becamc the power of the Press, continues the writer, tho.t an effort was made in 1907 lo muzzle it. The effect led to earloM warfare between the Government and 'he Press. For cleverness, ingenuity, and perspicacity in carrying on such wnrfaro the. Chinese could hardly bo excelled, '.'heir, editors and writers'. were not only masters of the olassio'literature, but.not a. few of them were'artists and poets. (It is only quite recently that the fact ha 9 begun to be appreciated that tho principles of art ivere expressly formulated by a Chinese critic, Hsdeh Ho, ■ MOO years ago, and the six canons laid down by him have received considerable attention from emient artists in Europe.) In addition to pictured art the Chinese editors in this cf-rtoon warfare had at command a language which enabled them to satirise, deride, and goad by use of single characters. Trained journalists from tho West marvelled at the ability, dexterity, and resource of their Chinese confrere, and tho arrival of the newspapers was greatly dreaded by the Court and high officials.