CHINESE  HISTORY:  THIRD  PERIOD  45
Much  has  been  recently  accomplished  in  the  way  of
organising  a  system  of  enlightened  education,  and  the  old
literary  examination  system  has  been  entirely  discarded.
Much  activity  is  shown  in  the  building  of  railroads.  A
national  spirit  is  growing,  taking  as  its  motto,  “  China  for
the  Chinese.”  The  government  is  undergoing  modification,
and  the  promise  has  been  held  out  of  the  grant  of  a  constitution ­
  in  the  near  future.  Indeed,  reform  edicts  follow
one  another  so  quickly  that  each  seems  to  tread  on  the
heels  of  the  one  going  before.  The  influence  of  Japan  is
paramount,  and  it  seems  probable  that  the  world  may
witness  an  alliance  of  the  Yellow  Race  that  will  bring  about
astounding  results.
Indeed,  our  attention  is  directed  to  China  as  it  has  never
been  before,  and  we  naturally  are  led  to  speculate  upon
the  future  possibilities  of  this  remarkable  people,  and  the
part  they  may  play  in  the  unfolding  drama  of  the  great
world  process.