AFFAIRS IN CHINA.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVII, Issue 90, 16 December 1913, Page 3

AFFAIRS IN CHINA.

FOLLOWERS OF CONFUCIUS.

[By Electric Telegraph—Copyright] i . ['United Press .Association.]

(Received 8.0 a.m.) II Bekiu, December 15

Strenuous attempts are being made in North China to make Confucianism the State religion, the Government stating that it will directly encourage imperialism, which teaches the people to reverence their superiors.

It is generally understood that the crusade is a preliminary to Yuan Shih Kai mounting the Chinese Throne, Confucianism being directly opposed to Republicanism. 1

[Confucius was- born in 551 B.C. at Shang-Pihgi and died in 479 B.C. At the age of 23 he devoted himself tr study, his object being the reorganisa thin of the Chinese Empire. At tin time the Empire was not consolidated under one sovereign,'hut seemed to In divided into several separate kingdoms He was driven from his country, but 'continued to preach his doctrines. He appointed ton disciples, and they spread his tenets to such an extent that they became the great authority of Chinese politics and morals. After his death his memory was cherished as that of a saint. His books are regarded by the Chinese as the -fountain of wisdom; and, according to all an thorities, thev' deserve the praise bestowed on them, as far, as regards ; pure morality. 'Their- instructions an cherished not only by the Chinese, but by the Cochm-Ciiinesp,. the Goreans and other peoples. The descendant of Confueips are held in veneratioi and enjoy extra privileges to this day.] . ' ,

CONTRACTS FOR RAILWAYS. Peking, December 15. The Government is signing a con tract with Pauling and Co., of London for the construction of 800 miles c railway, .starting at Shasi in Hupeh and running to Singfn, m Kweichow via Changteh and Chaungsha. Th agreement provides • for constructio by contract, and also for Pauling an; Company raising loans to defray th cost of a projected line to link u Hankow with distant provinces, 1 connecting with a future French Yur nan-Manuing line.